Ellenor fired up for a battle
Sunderland’s Cal Ellenor expects fireworks in his Bellator MMA debut against ex-Cage Warriors flyweight champion Nathan Greyson in Newcastle tomorrow,
The pair will meet in the prelims on a stacked Newcastle Bellator card, which is headlined by Ryan Scope (11-1) taking on veteran lightweight destroyer Patricky ‘Pitbull’ Freire (20-8) at Utilita Arena.
Ellenor (7-2), a former interim title challenger in South Africa-based organisation Extreme Fighting Championship, was previously outwrestled in a unanimous decision loss in November 2018 to Luthando Biko (5-1), an accomplished judoka with a suffocating ground game. But with all of Greyson’s (6-2) victories coming via KO/TKO, Ellenor is relishing their bantamweight match-up.
“Nathan Greyson is fit and athletic,” Ellenor says of his English compatriot, who is riding a three-fight winning streak.
“He looks strong and he’s got heavy hands, but I think I’m better than him everywhere the fight goes.
“Obviously I can’t switch off at all in the fight and I need to stay focused to get the job done, but I think all round I’m a better martial artist.
“I see the fight being entertaining for the fans. I think he’s going to be very up for it, as will I. I’m fighting at home in front of all my family and friends.
“I definitely think this is a great match-up and we will both be looking to show how good we are as it is both our debut under the Bellator MMA banner.”
Ellenor, who hails from Grindon and trains under two-time Bellator representative Andrew Fisher (17-8-1) at Team Fish Tank MMA in Seaham, can’t wait to get started.
“The support from everyone at home grows every single time. I can’t wait to get in there and hear how crazy the atmosphere is going to be when all of my mates are going mental.
“This is what I genuinely feel I’m supposed to do in life. That feeling of walking out to a fight is amazing. Winning the fight is even better and that is what I intend to do - go there and steal the show.
“My gym has got me this far and my gym will get me to the top - there’s no doubt about it. We are a world-class team and I’m about to show it by beating a world champion.
“Sunderland is my home and I can’t wait to fly the flag once again. What matters more though is the fact I’m representing the North East.
“We need to show how good we all are so more shows start taking interest in us.”