The UFC has blessed those loyal followers of European MMA with an end of year match up that pits Nathaniel Wood 14-3-0 against Tom Duquesnoy 16-2-0, 1NC . A match up that arguably could be considered a former champion vs former champion clash as both have risen to the top of the food chain in the previous mixed martial arts fight promotions they’ve competed in.
We’re speaking via the phone as Tom ‘The Fire Kid’ Duquesnoy is now based in Las Vegas. In an almost nomadic style his camp now appears to utilise the best of what he can glean from those well regarded in the sport.”I’m no longer at Jackson Wink’s MMA Academy.” he tells me. Continuing he says, “I moved to Vegas a few months ago but I’m open to work with different teams. I love to travel and I always switch up my camp especially in the US. I don’t limit my self to one team. My new camp should be ready in the next couple of weeks.”
On hearing of the match up ‘The Fire Kid’ was somewhat elated as he tells me, still very pleased that he finally gets to meet Nathaniel Wood inside the cage, “I love it, we have similar backgrounds,” he tells me. “We have even fought on the same card when we were in BAMMA, but obviously against different opponents. I’m very honored to fight him.”
Both men are stand up fighters, phenomenal striking ability will undoubtedly be on show and it is evident, as Duquesnoy continues, that he has no intention of overlooking Wood or taking him lightly. “I will adapt as always and gain the advantage in the fight and how it goes,” he said. “He’s a very complete fighter and very competitive, he’s very dangerous on the feet and on the the ground too. It will be a striking show for the fans.”
When speaking with Nathaniel Wood earlier this month he was very clear in asserting he would stop Duquesnoy in the first or second round via KO. ‘The Fire Kid’ has no such clear predictions but he does have a take on the recent fire Wood has been spitting. “I deeply think he’s trying to sell the fight,” he said. “We don’t even need to trash talk, our acts will talk for themselves on the night. My preparation has been a smart mix of visualisation and I’ll also be adapting that on the night.”
Whilst, as his usual form, there is no sense of pressure, There is an unspoken need though it would appear, that to impress a little more than usual will undoubtedly add a certain focus to his approach to this match up. “It will be my last fight on my contract,” he tells me. “If you project in a certain way it does not allow flexibility or adaptability. I can’t wait to meet him in the octagon. We are able to fight with the hands, the elbows, the knees. I will meet him in the middle of the cage knowing me, knowing him and the way he fights I will keep some surprises on the night, Nathaniel deserves it. I remain 100 percent prepared to perform well and to satisfy all the fans. Its not about trash talking it’s more about respect”.
UFC 232: Jones vs. Gustafsson 2 goes down on December 29, 2018 at T-Mobile Arena in Paradise, Nevada.
Emerging Fight Card:
B.J.Penn vs Ryan Hall