With news just announced that Reece McEwan will make his return at Cage Warriors 152 against Daan Duijs on April 15th. We spoke to the man himself to find out his thoughts on the bout, opponent, and everything in-between.
Riding high with a three-fight winning streak. McEwan is on the cusp of challenging for the ultimate prize in the form of the Cage Warriors bantamweight title. A tough test ahead of him in the form of Daan Duijs, a win in this bout would be huge for the Scot.
With the fight just three months away, find out what Reece McEwan had to say about April 15th down below.
Interview With Reece McEwan
You closed out the year in fanatic fashion, submitting Teodoro Scoleri in the second round at CW 146, making it 3/3 for the year. You’ve had to overcome adversity over that period, but if you were told at the beginning of 2022 you’d be 3-0 in Cage Warriors with two stoppages, I imagine you’d have jumped at that with open arms.
I would’ve, yes, definitely. I had my eyes on 3/4 fights and victories in 2022, advancing my career and working towards Cage Warriors gold. I set a goal for myself at the end of 2021 for the following year, and I achieved it. It makes it even sweeter all those fights were on CW.*
As previously mentioned, you had to dig deep in order to leave victorious on several occasions in 2022. How valuable and beneficial do you feel that experience is to your career moving forward? Not only to show the fans but to show yourself you can conquer adversity and fight back from tough situations in the fight.
I’m grateful for the adversity. It highlights flaws in my performance or skill set. And that gives me direction when I go back to the gym. We are also fighting the best fighters in Europe, so adversity it’s expected. I prepare for a flawless performance, but at the same time, I’m ready for adversity, so I’m prepared to win on my best and worst days.
Reece McEwan Talks CW Bantamweights
You told us before you were fighting under Cage Warriors, you watched their bantamweight division closely. How does it feel now to not only be among it but to be closing in on a title shot and everything you envisioned beginning to come to fruition?
It feels like dreams and goals you felt were so far away are happening now. I am grateful I vocalised my goals back then, as it makes it more satisfying when they come true. I bet people will be eyeing me up now from afar, wanting this spot just like I was last year. That’s the position I want and one I thrive in.
You were faced with a late replacement in your most recent outing against Scoleri. What was the mindset leading into the bout, and will it alter this time round by having a full camp to prepare for just Daan Dujis?
There is always a chance your opponent can change. In my eyes, it’s never official until you’re in the cage with your opponent on fight night. This is why we don’t fixate on any specific opponent. The bigger picture is my skills and my progress. The opponent is in the way.
It would be naive not to study and identify my opponent’s strengths & weaknesses. They pose threats that we can provide solutions for. They will then give us looks the night of the fight, and that is then banked for the next training camp.
Fight Announcement
It was announced today that you’d face Daan Dujis. Talk to us about your and your team’s overall thoughts on the matchup and what you anticipate he brings to the table on fight night.
Daan Dujis is a solid opponent, well-rounded and a great test for me. I look forward to the matchup.
It’s another trip to Manchester for you and your loyal following in April. It’s becoming a home away from home for you from a business standpoint. You’re an individual who always goes out of your way to express your gratitude to those who support you. Can we expect to see many Scots make the trip once again?
Absolutely. CW 146 they sold out a section in minutes. CW 152, they’ve sold two sections out already, and it’s 11 weeks out!
Manchester is a 4-5 hour drive for most people. Some have to fly or travel for 7-8 hours. It’s either a whole day out or a weekend towards supporting me. I am so thankful. The support gets an extra % out me.
As of late, you’ve spent some time at Shore Mixed Martial Arts preparing for your bout. Will a trip to Wales be structured into your camp this time round, and have you felt the benefits of training with the likes of Jack Shore and Brett Johns and the plethora of talent they have under the gym?
I’ve felt huge benefits training at SMMA with the level of coaching and also the training partners on the mat. It feels like a home from home for me, and they are becoming an integral part of my career. The skill level through the gym is extremely high level. I think you’ll struggle to find a better gym in Europe for the smaller weight classes.
To top that off, the gym environment is a great fit for me. It reminds me very much of my gyms back home – a family community where everyone’s working together.
McEwan on 2023 Goals
2023 has the potential to be a massive year for you in competition. Have you allowed yourself to think that far ahead, or is it just take it fight by fight. What are Reece McEwan’s goals for the year?
I’ve learned to be more present and focus on the little small goals every day. Small victories and progress will add up and make my dreams come true. There’s a Cage Warriors World title in touching distance though.
You strike as someone who takes lessons away from every fight, wins and losses. What lessons have you learned from your last fight that you will implement on April 15th?
Play the percentages, and stack the odds in your favour to find the best path to victory.
We spoke with Nathan Fletcher in an exclusive interview last week, and he revealed three fights he wants in 2023, and Reece McEwan was one of them due to the streak you find yourself on. Do you have a response to that, and is that a fight you anticipate will happen later in the year?
That’s a good fight. I like it. Before I fought Sam Spencer, Kingsley Crawford made a huge statement when he choked Aiden James unconscious in London.
I messaged my manager saying when I finish Sam, I want Crawford and asked for that fight- he was at the top of the division, and I wanted that top spot. Then I thought the Fletcher fight would’ve come after the Crawford win, but I got offered his teammate instead.
Then I thought it might get offered for this upcoming card, but Duijs got offered. The division is stacked. I like that he’s eyeing me up. I like that target on my back. I welcome it!
Map out the ideal 2023 for Reece McEwan. You’re closing in on the bantamweight title. Who or what do you want this year to make that dream happen?
April 15th is the most important date right now. I can’t look past that as the CW gold is irrelevant and a step behind without winning on April 15th. I’m fully focused on winning this fight then we can move a step closer to it.
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
