Bristol based Mario Saeed is 5-1 and riding a four fight-win streak. He’ll be making his long over-due debut for one of Europe’s leading promotions, Cage Warriors, on Saturday April 12th at The LC, Swansea, Wales. Coming back from a career threatening injury sustained back in October of last year, whilst training for what was going to be his then debut fight for Cage Warriors in Jordan. Mario suffered a fractured neck, since then he has been under strict instructions to let time heal his injuries with the proper help and guidance.
Mario trains out of Trojan Free Fighters in Cheltenham, with the guidance of Head Coach and Mentor Paul Sutherland . He’s looked after by UI Management. I managed to catch up with, a full of beans, hyper active, fully motivated Mario Saeed for our scheduled interview – judging by the very good mood he was in, I had no idea on, how seriously I could get him to answer every single question I had for him, but here is the final cut for you all to read.
EB. The last time we spoke you were about to have your last fight for the promotion Ultimate Impact Cage fighting against Wayne Drake. How did that go?
MS. It went very well thank you, it was a real hard fight but I got the win in the end.
EB. Prior to that fight, it was then announced that on June 19th, you had been signed to fight for the promotion Cage Warriors, with your debut to be in Jordan on October 25th, but a serious training injury occurred just two weeks before. Can you talk me through what happened?
MS. Everything was going great until 2 weeks before the fight, I suffered a fracture in my neck, this meant I had to take a break from training for quite a while! Now I am back stronger than ever.
EB. Being a very positive and motivated person that you are, what kept you going through the ‘dark times’ you would have experienced on your road back to recovery?
MS. Everything happens for a reason. I believe in myself and this keeps me staying positive. I am looking forward to my next fight.
EB. Your teammate Mark Godbeer had also gone through a very similar experience to yourself; did you take advice from him on any part of the recovery process?
MS. We are all teammates. We help each other and sh*t happens. We all motivate each other. Teammates stick together no matter what.
EB. You also took to posting a few updates via a video blog on your Facebook of your recovery in the very early days. Have you watched any of them back at all? Are they too painful memory for you to watch?
MS. I would not say they are too painful to watch, I have not watched them back. I do not look back I always look forward.
EB. What was your rehab/recovery process like? Did you try to rush the process?
MS. Laughs! I listened to the doctor’s advice and took plenty of time out and now I am good to go and ready to fight again.
EB. Once you were given the all clear to leave the hospital and take it easy, I heard you were back at the gym sat watching your teammates train. Can you tell me how you were feeling at this point?
MS. A mixture of frustration and just glad that I was there, also I was happy to support the other lads, but I did want to be fighting myself; I had to be tied to the chair to stop me from moving!
EB. Motivation, dedication and hard work have got you where you are now. I mean it is not everyday someone fractures their neck and 6 months later they are back doing what they love.
MS. I am very lucky to be coming back stronger than ever doing what I love; these things test you in life, and it is all about how bad you want it, how hard you are willing to work for it. I cannot wait to show the world what I am about.
EB. On April 12th, you have your long overdue debut for Cage Warriors in Swansea, what are you looking forward to the most.
MS. I am looking forward to every minute of it, Cage Warrior’s is a great show and I cannot wait to get back in the cage and get the big W.
EB. Do you know anything about your new opponent Sean ‘Sexy Curls’ Carter?
MS. I know that he comes from a great gym and I am friends with a few of his teammates. He is a good fighter but I am a GREAT fighter, come fight night, he will find out.
EB. Now, that you’re the co-main event does that, put any more pressure on you?
MS. Co-main event, it makes no difference, as I have been main event before. It is just another fight to me.
EB. With a late change in opponent, (1 week before fight day) does that change anything in you as a fighter and the fight you have already prepared for? (original opponent was Rikki Fortuna 2-2-1)
MS. Not particularly as I train to fight and it does not matter who I fight. I will fight anyone who Cage Warriors choose to put in front of me, but remember my name as I will be going for the Cage Warriors GOLD!
EB. Being, the champion at Ultimate Impact Cage fighting, is there any pressure to be the champion at Cage Warriors or is that the Goal/DREAM?
MS. No, it is just a matter of time!
EB. Sean has had nine fights, and his only loss was for the lightweight title, if you win against Sean on April 12th do you see yourself in title contention?
MS. Hell yes I will be after that belt.
EB. This will be your first fight back since your training accident, some may say in at the deep end. What would you say?
MS. I am a very good swimmer.
EB. What is it about the promotion Cage Warriors that keeps fighters on their roster?
MS. Cage Warriors are the best promotion in the UK and Europe. Cage Warriors, is viewed by millions around the world, the promotion speaks for itself.
EB. You are ‘known’ as ‘The Arm Collector’ would you like to be ‘known’ for more than just that one awesome submission.
MS. I am an all-round fighter, but the armbar is my signature move! The best is yet to come. “Don’t fear the man who does a 1,000 techniques; fear the man who does 1 technique a 1,000 times”.
EB. You have crazy fans that I for one have witnessed. Can you tell me of a time when things have been just a little bit too crazy at one of your fights?
MS. When I fought and won the UIC title, my fans rushed to see me, to congratulate me in the cage, let us hope Cage Warriors have plenty of security,
EB. Training to you is second nature, what keeps you going and motivated?
MS. My family and friends, the fact I love what I do and I get to do it every day.
EB. Is there anyone you would like to thank?
MS. I would like to thank my coach who is my mentor, Paul Sutherland, my best mate Chris Astley and all my teammates at Trojan and finally my sponsors DiscountMMA, BRITISHF1GHTER, SynergiFitness, SCIMX
You can follow Mario Saeed on Twitter, who in my opinion is well worth the follow, if for just all the motivational quotes he tweets everyday on @MarioRudeboy7
You can watch Mario ‘Rudeboy’ Saeed take on Sean ‘Sexy Curls’ Carter at The LC, Swansea, Wales, Saturday April 12th for those of you who have purchased tickets, alternatively you can watch the Main Card via www.cagewarriors.tv which is FREE this weekend for UK viewers. Main Card is at 9pm. Who will be showing 6 out of the 7 fights in total for FREE that night. Any more information go to www.cagewarriors.com
This event is now SOLD OUT so unless some of the fighters have any spare tickets left that will be the only way you will be able to see the whole event live from the venue.
PHOTO CREDIT 1 – HUW FAIRCLOUGH
PHOTO CREDIT 2 CAGE WARRIORS