Caernarfon Herald

I’ll give it my all to win European title

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PWLLHELI fighting machine Danny Williams has landed a dream shot at the European title.

The 27-year-old from the Llŷn will take on fellow Welshman Jordan Peake in the Cage Warriors European Amateur Grand Prix lightweigh­t final on December 8 at Cardiff’s Ice Arena.

The undefeated Peake was scheduled to fight Constantin­e Blanita, who beat Williams on a unanimous decision in September, for the title.

Due to injury, however, Dublinbase­d Russian Blanita has been forced to pull out so Williams steps in for what will be undoubtedl­y the biggest bout of his 22-contest career to date.

It is a massive show for the Pwllheli man to be involved in, with Cage Warriors 100 set to host two world title fights – Jack Shore v Mike Ekundayo at bantamweig­ht and Aiden Lee v Dean Trueman in the featherwei­ght division.

Williams, winner of 11 of his 22 bouts, made the headlines in March when he defeated Brandon Elwell of Doncaster to win the UKFC amateur lightweigh­t belt at the Guild Hall in Preston.

Three months later, the North Walian successful­ly defended his belt with a unanimous decision win over Hungarian-born Gergely Juhasz at the same venue where he won the title.

Williams has been a Mixed Martial Arts competitor for four years.

He was still on cloud nine when he spoke to the Herald about his forthcomin­g European title tilt. ● Has it sunk in yet that you’ll be fighting for the European title on December 8? How did you feel when you first heard the news?

It’s an amazing opportunit­y, but I don’t think it’ll sink in and feel like reality until I’m there. I first received the news via text off my head coach Sean Martin from Hamma St Helens, saying “Mate, you’re in the final for the Grand Prix”. I immediatel­y rang him stating how excited I was, he had to tell me to calm down.

Then the promoter of Cage Warriors Academy North West, Paul Reed, came on the phone telling me to stay ready and that it looked like the fight was going ahead. able to compete on this show. It’s the Cage Warriors 100th event and, without a doubt, has been in demand for any profession­al/amateur fighter to get a placement on. The fight card is stacked, with two world profession­al titles up for competitio­n. Most of the fighters are superstars in their own right and ex-champions to other promotions. It’s crazy that I’ve been so fortunate to get this title shot, never mind on this event.

I’m aware Jordan is local to the area and will bring a large group of support with him come fight night. I don’t believe this will affect my performanc­e, I’ve fought on away turf many times before.

I usually embrace the energy my opponent receives off his supporters and use it positively during competitio­n.

I appreciate a good audience and I won’t be completely alone as 25 of my most loyal supporters have already booked and bought tickets off me and will be ready to travel five hours down and stay overnight in hotels to be there on December 8.

My supporters aren’t shy and will be raring to go on the night.

Training is on schedule, we have another two weeks of hard work ahead, then we will begin to taper it all down and look to recover and make weight for the fight.

After my last contest, competing against Russian born Constantin­e Blanita, we couldn’t help but feel that our wrestling wasn’t quite where we would have liked it to be. Since then we have doubled our time grappling on the mats, focusing primarily on wrestling. We expect to see much improvemen­t here.

My message to Jordan Peake is I wish him good health for what’s remaining of his training camp. I will look forward to sharing the cage with him, and may the best martial artist win.

 ??  ?? ● Danny Williams celebrates victory in his first defence of the UKFC lightweigh­t title
● Danny Williams celebrates victory in his first defence of the UKFC lightweigh­t title
 ??  ?? ● Danny Williams dominated against opponent Brandon Elwell in March ● As Jordan is from South Wales, he may have more local support
● Danny Williams dominated against opponent Brandon Elwell in March ● As Jordan is from South Wales, he may have more local support

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