Jordan Stronge is ready to put on a show when he makes his long awaited promotional debut at Cage Warriors 171 against Jordan Little.
The Scotsman will make the walk for the first time on a major platform, in front of a home crowd, inside a packed out Braehead Arena on April 20th.
The 30-year-old spoke to Fighters Only ahead of his debut and discussed his excitement of being able to finally make the walk to Cage Warriors cage, having been following the promotion since before he even fought in mixed martial arts. He said:
“I am really looking forward to it. All the way back when I was doing Thai Boxing before I started MMA I used to always watch Cage Warriors and even now, how big it is getting, the help with social media, it is exploding so I am ecstatic to be a part of it.”
There are several European promotions doing exceedingly well at present but Stronge admitted that, for him, there was only ever going to be one option, citing the level of opposition and the regular chances to compete as two of the main reasons Cage Warriors appealed to him so much.
“I signed with Cage Warriors because they have all of the best European guys. Listen, I am 30 years old, I will be doing this for another 6 or 7 years. I have not got the time like the younger guys have but I feel like I still haven't hit my prime. So Cage Warriors is where I want to test myself with all the best guys in Europe.
“I have had trouble with activity over the last few years with injuries, waiting 6, 7 months to get matched and I lose interest when it comes to that so Cage Warriors can guarantee me fights, it’s just a massive platform and I am looking forward to making a name for myself.”
The 30-year-old is one of four athletes that will be representing Scottish Hit Squad on April 20th, with Chris Bungard, Micahel Blair and Igor Wojtas all also set to feature.
Preparing for a fight night is always gruelling but when there is a team of athletes working towards the same goal on the same date, he revealed it certainly helps with preparations.
“It is always good when you have got guys at a similar weight with similar aspirations, the same drive and determination. The four of us together, we will push each other to the limit. It is always good changing up and having different bodies and different sparring but on a day in, day out basis, you want that team feeling and when you are all pushing each other, driving each other, that's what you want. That is how you get better and that is how you move forward. We have been with each other since the start and we will be there, through the trenches, until the wheels fall off.”
In his promotional debut, Stronge will welcome the vastly experienced amateur Jordan Little to the professional ranks. The Scottish Hit Squad man admitted that he usually leaves the game planning up to his head coach Brian Gallagher, whilst he spends time making sure he is the best version of himself come fight night.
“I don't usually watch a lot of my opponents, I leave that to Brian. Brian will have a look, break it down, see what he thinks we should be going with. I will have a wee look but I am just concentrating on myself. As long as I turn up to the best of my ability and in the right mindset, I am a handful for anybody on the night. So, I am just looking forward to putting on a performance, I am going to be in the best shape of my life. I have been putting everything into this camp and I know 100% it is going to be my night.”
Cage Warriors 171 will mark the first time the promotion have travelled north of the border for a substantial amount of time. The Scottish Hit Squad man is relishing the opportunity to feature on the card along with so many other Scottish athletes and in front of a packed out crowd.
“It has been a long time coming! Even at the Newcastle show, there were only a few Scots there and they blew the roof off the place so it is going to be an amazing night. All the Scottish crowd, all the Scottish boys fighting, it’s going to be big for Scottish MMA in a sold out Braehead Arena. The noise, the goosebumps, the atmosphere, it’s sink or swim. I am really looking forward to it, it is going to be a night to remember.”
