Brad “The Crazy Kid“ Wheeler is looking to move himself one step closer to that Cage Warriors Lightweight Title shot when he takes on Scott Clist at #CWFC75 Friday 15th April in London.
For Wheeler, who makes his return to the promotion after going 2-0 at Warrior Fight Series which included him picking up their 155lbs strap, nothing is going to stop him from taking what he believes is his belt.
“I am the only Lightweight in the country on a six fight win streak other than Marc Diakese (BAMMA Lonsdale Lightweight Champion). A good finish over Clist should put me in line, I don’t even care, its my belt and I’m going to go and get it.”
Wheeler’s impressive win streak has certainly gained him some increased credibility across the European MMA scene and it would be hard to argue against his pressing for a Title shot with a win over the durable Clist. But is Clist really the “big name” opponent likely to propel Wheeler into an immediate title shot?
“I will fight anyone, I don’t care who you put in front of me. I will beat them. The fight did come out of the blue but I think when the show was announced a lot of Lightweights had already been matched up and its tough to find someone to take a fight on eight weeks notice so its great that Clist has stepped in.”
Wheeler is certainly not overlooking his opponent but feels that he is clearly the better all rounded fighter.
“Yeah I know he has been around for a long time and he trains with UFC Middleweight Brad Scott. I have watched a few of his fights and he looks like a tough brawler, but he is not going to beat me. I am just a much better all round fighter.”
“Funny enough his last fight back in October 2014, he defeated the last person (Jamie Rogers) who beat me.”
With Wheeler pressing full steam ahead to get his hands on the Cage Warriors gold after this bout with the promotion getting things back up and running its unsure as to what other Lightweights would be in the mix, something which Wheeler appreciates but isn’t too worried about.
“There isn’t a great deal of guys signed to Cage Warriors at the moment so I don’t know who I would see as the biggest challenger? It doesn’t bother me though because they will find someone thats for sure. Tim Wilde? I wouldn’t mind having a rematch with Mansour Barnaoui either.”
Cage Warriors 75 sees the promotion return to the European scene after a 14 month hiatus and as a veteran of the promotion, Wheeler is expecting things to get back up and running in the usual fashion and is pumped to be fighting back under the Cage Warriors banner.
“I assume it will just pick up where it left off to be honest. Its just great to be back fighting for them especially in London in front of all my fans.”
With just over a week to go until Fight Night, Wheeler is chomping at the bit to get back in and put on a show for his fans in London and has been ramping up training at the MMA Clinic and Five Star boxing gym and has been testing himself with some new sparring partners to aid with his evolution as a fighter.
“I think its good to train with different bodies as sometimes you can get used to sparring with the same training partners and you kind of work out what they are likely to do. That’s the thing with MMA, regardless of what everyone says everyone is an individual and has a slightly different style to everyone else.”
“Since my last fight I have just been training constantly and getting better and better in all areas. Ahead of this fight I have my weight down and can’t wait for Fight Night!“
Brad would like to thank his sponsors “Pride or Die, 99 Nutrition & Hackney Heating” along with “Mindsport Consulting, The MMA Clinic (Michael Russell, Paul Hines) and Five Star (John Kelly, Eddie Kelly and all the lads).”