Brad Wheeler "I'm not worried about his Gypsy Jiu Jitsu, I'm confident I'll win"
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts |
| (Credit Cage Warriors/Dolly Clew) |
Cage Warriors 74 is set to take place at the historic Copper Box Arena, Olympic Park, London and one lightweight who is happy to be on the card is is 24-year-old Essex lad Brad Wheeler:
"It's great. It's a massive event again and at a big arena this time. I'm looking forward to being apart of it"
Currently enjoying the best spell of his career, which he puts down to ‘Hard work, dedication’ and 'growing up and maturing as a person’ as well as the ‘great team and coaches around me too’ Wheeler is starting to make a name for himself in Cage Warriors lightweight division, but now faces arguably the toughest test of his 22 fight career when he takes on five-fight UFC veteran John Maguire at CWFC 74.
After a mixed start to his MMA career, often swapping wins and losses, the MMA Clinic fighter always showed glimpse of his talent in the past, particularly when he defeated currently UFC featherweight Ian Entwistle by first round reverse triangle choke. He is now finally starting to put it all together. Since 2013, Wheeler has defeated three of his last four opponents by submission, and is ready to take the next step in his career:
"John Maguire has more fights than me, he's been UCMMA champ, he's fought in the UFC. He's a good fighter" said the 24-year old.
His opponent Maguire is renowned on the UK MMA scene, but has strugglec for form recently going 1-5 in his last six fights. While some fans have suggested Maguire’s skills have started to deteriorate, Wheeler recognises how dangerous Maguire, who has wins over many of the country's top welterweights - Maguire's former weight class, can be:
'"'m going to take the fight to John and making him fight my fight" said Wheeler.
"John is a very well rounded fighter and is always a dangerous fighter. He's had some close decision, only in his last fight has he actually been stopped. I'm not overlooking John if anything he'll be just as hungry as me wanting to get back too winning ways so I'm preparing for the best John Maguire I can."
When asked about Maguire's patented Gypsy Jiu-jitsu techniques which has seen the Cambridge fighter pick up 10 submission victories, Wheeler, who also has 10 wins by tapout said he wasn't concerns with the ground game of Maguire, in fact he thinks he will be the one attacking:
"I'm not worried about his Gypsy Jiu Jitsu, I have my Michael Russell BJJ. I'm happy to fight in all areas, ground, standing, whenever the fight goes. Don't be surprised too see me attacking submission"
With a win over Maguire, Wheeler will be enjoying a five fight win streak and will likely find himself in the mix for a Cage Warriors title fight against current champion Stevie Ray. While Wheeler stressed he didn't wanted to look past he Maguire he admits he would like a shot at Stevie Ray:
"I don't see to many other Cage Warriors lightweights ahead of me" said Wheeler. "I'd like to fight Ray for the title but it's up to Cage Warriors who i 'll fight next. At the moment I'm just concentrating on beating Maguire.
"[Maguire] will be a big test for me but I'm confident I'll win."
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