Kingdom MMA talk to Jack Mason ahead of CWFC 69
by Sam Heard @SamHeard_ |
| Copyright: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors |
On Saturday night Jack Mason will step foot in to the cage for the third time this year as he takes on Brazilian Bruno Carvalho in a welterweight match up as part of the stacked Cage Warriors 69: Super Saturday card on Saturday night in Kentish Town, London. Before the fight Kingdom MMA caught up with Jack to talk about his upcoming fight.
Sam: Thank you for once again taking the time to do an interview with us Jack – particularly with the proximity to your next fight. In the last interview you did with us you said “the June show looks incredible and yes if Cage Warriors can get me on it’s definitely something I want to be a part of”. How does it feel having your wish come true?
Mason: It feels amazing to be part of something so special as this is such a massive card, it also feels great to finally be back fighting in London!
Sam: At the rate you’re going, you will be set to have around six fights this year. You’ve always been a very active fighter – how do you stay so motivated?
Mason: As long as I’m fit and injury free then there is no reason not to be fighting! Besides I’m 31 now and I want to get as many fights as I can in before I get married and have kids as I’ll have to slow down then!
Sam: With just under a week to go before the big fight on what is a stacked card, how have the preparations for your fight gone?
Mason: Preparations have been great, feel in brilliant shape and the fight camp has been tons of fun. Just looking forward to getting in there now!
Sam: How does it feel to be a part of one of the biggest cards to ever take place in UKMMA. Would you say this was the biggest UK MMA event ever?
Mason: There have been some big events in the past with the likes of Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort fighting at Wembley but yes definitely in recent times this is a huge event, and most certainly the biggest this year. Every fight on the card is very evenly matched and it has some of the best fighters in the world fighting on it.
It’s an absolute privilege to be on the card and I’m having the time of my life right now fighting for Cage Warriors.
Sam: Your next opponent is the solid Brazilian fighter Bruno Carvalho. I believe this will be the third time you have been set to face him in the past year. Is there anything you do not know about this fighter?
Mason: Haha, I’m sure Bruno has some dirty little secrets I don’t know about but in terms of MMA I’ve watched a lot of tape on him and can see that he is world class. The guy has a phenomenal ground and grappling game and is also a really good striker with good reach, so I can tell I have my work cut out in this fight!
Sam: When this fight was offered to you were you concerned that he may pull out leaving no time to prepare for another fighter, it wouldn't be the first time?
Mason: I don’t think Carvalho will pull out this time, it would be highly embarrassing for him if he did.
Sam: What would you say is Carvalho’s most dangerous area?
Mason: Definitely his ground game but he’s good in every area.
Sam: Carvalho has a well-rounded record and has demonstrated both submission skills and powerful hands. How do you see yourself beating him?
Mason: I’m a better wrestler and have powerful ground and pound which I plan on using to finish him.
Sam: He also seems to be a large man for the division. Will you be able to use his size advantage against him?
Mason: I’m a pretty big guy myself and I’ve had 32 fights at Middleweight so I’m used to the big guys. Size won’t be an issue.
Sam: A win on June 7th could see you starting a nice little streak for yourself in Cage Warriors after that razor-close loss to Alloway. Where will this back-to-back win put you in the promotion’s highly talented 170-lbs division?
Mason: To be honest I’m not really thinking about that, Danny Roberts is definitely ahead of me in the title race and until he gets his crack I can’t see me getting a shot so I’ll just keep beating these guys until it’s my turn.
Sam: After most recently fighting in Jordan twice and in Ireland, does it feel good making a return to our capital?
Mason: I work in London every day so it’ll just be another day at work for me. It seems like ages since I fought at home so yes I’m really looking forward to it!
Sam: Is there any added pressure fighting in front of an English crowd or is it just business as usual?
Mason: Definitely no added pressure, if anything it’s a benefit so I’m just looking forward to it.
Sam: Though it will only come into effect at CW70, we have recently heard the big news that Cage Warriors have joined forces with Channel 4. Is this exciting news to hear as one of the most experienced and well respected fighters in UK MMA?
Mason: The deal could potentially be absolutely huge for Cage Warriors and all the fighters involved. It will be interesting to see what type of time slot the show gets given but if they like it and the show makes it onto a prime time slot we could see all of the fighters become household names and people might be able to make a decent living from fighting rather than just scraping by.
Cage Warriors have literally gone from strength to strength over the past few years and I can’t thank Graham Boylan, Paul Dollery and Ian Dean enough for the opportunities they’ve given me and the sport of MMA in the UK.
I think by the time that MMA really becomes a recognised sport in the UK I will be done fighting but I’d like to think that the guys I coach will go on to become big stars.
Sam: Would you like to thank anybody?
Mason: Thanks very much for the interview and thanks to my management, coaches, team mates, family and friends and to everyone for all the support for this fight and my career so far!
Huge thanks also to Matt Walton who has given me some excellent guidance in the past couple of months and really changed my approach to fighting.
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to my sponsors, please check out their websites and follow them on Twitter:
· www.britishfighter.co.uk @BritishF1ghter
· www.chelmsfordphysio.co.uk @ChelmsforPhysio
· www.blankmmauk.com @BlankMMAUK
· www.qntuk.com @QNTUK
· www.funkygums.com @FUNKYGUMS
· www.ignitept.co.uk @LI_Strength
· www.coconoil.co.uk @Coconoil
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