With Cage Warriors 59 fast approaching us, WHOA! TV’s Lead Reporter Emma Bramford managed to catch up with Bantamweight Aaron ‘Smackwell’ Blackwell.
“I’m coming to Wales to devastate Kris Edwards and prove that I deserve to be at the top of the Bantamweight division.”
EB: Last time I saw you, was when you won the Bantamweight Title at Into The Cage on May 18th, in a dominating 5 round performance against Mike Cutting, how did it feel to win the belt after a 2yr absence from the cage?
AB: It’s always an achievement to win any award, especially after a bit of time out. It felt good, however I prepared incredibly well and I was very confident going into that fight. My view is that all my achievements/awards are part of my path to becoming the champion I believe I am and will be.
EB: You’re facing Kris Edwards on September 14th at The Motorpoint Arena, for the promotion Cage Warriors for which your first outing was back in 2007 for them, how does it feel to be asked back to take part in this new bantamweight tournament?
AB: It’s a great honour, as Cage Warriors is a great show and over the years has proved it’s one of the top shows in Europe, very well organised with some very professional people involved. I am really excited about the bout against Kris Edwards, as I have got a great team around me and I’ve had a very focused camp. Obviously to be included in the tournament for the Bantamweight title is exciting, however I have a very focused mind set, so my main focus is on beating Kris Edwards first, then I’ll take it from there.
EB: Although you will be going in as a ‘deciding’ reserve, if one of the main four participants is deemed unable to continue, due to injury or not receiving medical clearance, potentially you could be Cage Warriors New Bantamweight Title Belt holder, how do feel about that?
AB: As I said previously, I take one step at a time; however I am very confident in my ability. So let’s see what happens. The fight against Kris Edwards will be a great fight and I am very well prepared, so let’s hope Kris has done his homework and doesn’t feel the pressure of fighting in front of his family and friends. I am coming to Wales to have an exciting fight. I am also fully prepared to fight further bouts if the occasion arises.
EB: Looking through your professional record you have shared the cage with some high profile names at the moment such as Terry Etim, Ronnie Mann and Brad Pickett, even though the end result did not go in your favour do you feel a lot of people will have over looked you for this fight with Kris Edwards?
AB: I imagine they have.
There aren’t many people who have had an apprenticeship like me. They were great experiences and they have made me the person I am today. I wouldn’t change the past, as I have learned some incredibly valuable lessons that now underpin my whole approach. Winners learn from their experiences and put them to great use. So let’s just say I can’t wait to fight.
EB: Your coach Rocci Williams has a great sense in his attitude towards his fighters in his ability to engage in the positive mentality approach in this sport, for which I personally feel is somewhat overlooked, as the sport is as much mentally demanding as it is physically if not more so, how do you feel your coaches wise words of inspiration effect you and the fighter you have become?
AB: Rocci is a true inspiration to me and his words echo through my fights, we believe it’s very important to be mentally prepared and are on the same wave length, he makes sure I’m 100% mentally and physically prepared, working with Matt Walton has progressed this further and we all as a team have a winning attitude.
EB: What can the ‘Smackwell’ fans expect to see on September 14th?
AB: I truly believe in being a true professional in everything I do and representing the sport of MMA in a way that enables it to continue to grow and gain support across the world. When I come to Wales, I’ll be respectful and professional, however I’m coming to Wales to devastate Kris Edwards and prove that I deserve to be at the top of the Bantamweight division.
EB: Anyone you would like to thank?
AB: A dedicated thank you to Rocci Williams, I wouldn’t be where I am now without him, to Paul Wright for travelling everywhere and giving up his time to be with me on fight days (best hand wrapping skills in the business), thank you to Matt Walton for all his help with my preparation, Nathaniel Wood for all our sparring sessions together, all my team mates at Nova Forca and coach Ricardo Da-Silva, thank you to my sponsors Forca Luta for kitting me out with cool gear, and of course to my loving family for all their continued support.
5 quick questions
If you could change 1 rule in MMA what would it be?
I wouldn’t change a rule but I would have the sport be governed by a single governing body so that the sports rules and regulations became unified under one body.
Walk out music?
Undecided yet
Favourite Food?
Chocolate
Favourite International Fighter?
Current has to be Jon Jones, past has to be Frank Shamrock
If you were to hold a dinner and invited 3 guests, past or present, who would you invite and why?
Bas Rutten – Funny and a MMA legend, I’m sure he’d have some great stories to tell
Jean-Claude Van Damme – My biggest inspiration as a kid growing up
Dwayne Johnson – Funny and achieved a lot in his career, would be great to see him interact with the other 2 guests
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Blackwellmma