Mick Stanton returns this weekend (April 1st and April 2nd) at Cage Warriors 136, and we are in for a treat in Manchester. Cage Warriors returns for another “Double Trouble” event at the BEC Arena. Combat Sports UK will be bringing you interviews from fighters competing this weekend.
Mick Stanton, a middleweight contender fighting out of Liverpool, England will be facing off against Cage Warriors debutant Alexis Fontes. Mick was kind enough to give us some time ahead of fight week preparations and spoke to Lewis Simpson.
Just over a week out until your eleventh bout under the Cage Warriors banner. As you get older and the experience gains, how do you find the process of fight week? Is it second nature at this stage, or do you still get that anxious feeling as many do?
Fight week is so enjoyable for me. It’s exciting to see the end of a fight camp and plan for after a fight is over. I look forward to not having to diet for a while and having nice weekends with the wife & kids going out for food & having good times.
We saw you in action in mid-2021 against George Smith. In the time away, even at 35-years-old, have you taken any extra measures in preparation this time around, or have things more or less stayed the same?
Unfortunately I was out with an Injury and was waiting on surgery. It was a tough year only competing once and I didn’t like that. I train at a high level every week and take no days off. It’s my life & job so I’ve made sure I’ve worked harder than ever this camp to be back in there and make a big statement.
Touching on your last fight. You defeated George Smith with nasty ground and pound in round two. How much of a relief was that to get back into the winning column after facing a three-fight skid previous to that?
It’s was great to get back winning, but them defeats made me work so hard and I’ve come on so much doing so. I’m looking forward to getting 3 good wins this year.
Losses are part of the game off-course, every great fighter tastes defeat inside and outside of the Octagon. When you were dealt with three back-to-back losses did you have to deal with anything demons mentally, and how did you overcome that? Any important lessons learned in that period of time?
I started MMA as a boxer and now I’m happy to say my ground game is even better than my boxing now. My record has been up and down. I’m 7-6 but I’ve fought some of the best welterweights & middleweights in the country, and I know I’m far better than all of them now. I’ve worked so hard that I have the confidence that I can be the best middleweight out there. I’ve been fighting for 20 years now boxing, pro boxing & MMA and the amount of people I’ve seen come and go is unreal. I’m proud of my record and the fights I’ve had.
You’ve been competing in MMA since 2014. What motivates you to continue getting up every day, pushing your body to the limits, and grinding?
I’m 35 now and feeling In the best shape of my life. I’m on a mission to get to the top of this game and be the best in the world and I’ll keep fighting for many more years. I was told that I would never fight again 6 months ago. I had my meniscus removed 6 weeks ago and stayed in great condition while doing so. I’ve never felt better.
On the night you meet French native Alexis Fontes. Looking at his record, many people would have turned it down due to the consecutive first-round finishes. What made you be happy to accept this fight?
I fight because I love it, and would fight any middleweight on the planet. Unfortunately, some people pad their record to try and get to the top but like I’ve seen for years – these people get found out when they fight a good opponent. Fontes is going to get destroyed when he comes over here.
Have you managed to watch any tape of Fonte’s previous professional fights, if so, how do you feel about his skill-set as a whole? Any strengths or weaknesses you’ve identified?
Yes, I’ve watched all Fontes’ fights. I like to study my opponent and see how they move and make a plan in my head how to fight. He’s shy of getting punched, Fontes. He’s not a fighter – he’s a grappler. But unfortunately, I’ll out grapple Fontes and then he’s got nothing else and it’s game over.
How much of an importance do you feel your experience will play in the fight with Fontes, as opposed to his?
Experience is everything. Fight IQ and cage time are so important in this game. Fontes has had 5 fights in total. In my life, I’ve had near 100 fights of a good standard and some of the best boxers and MMA fighters out there and it’s all coming together for me now
Can we get an official fight prediction? How does Mick Stanton get it done at Cage Warriors 136?
Fontes will be getting stopped. I’ll light him up on the feet and heel be shooting for his life. I’ll out grapple Fontes and he won’t be able to keep my pace. Then, I’ll get top position in the 2nd and it’ll be all over.
All goes well, you leave the winner. Have you thought about what’s next for you? How long do you want to keep competing?
I’ll be looking for a busy year and looking forward to seeing who I get next. I believe another win I’m next for the title as I should be top 5 in the UK. I’ve got a good 10 years left in this game yet. I only started 8 years ago so I’ve not even got started yet.
We’d like to thank Mick Stanton for his time. Be sure to tune in to watch his bout this Saturday, April 2nd on UFC Fight Pass.
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Featured image credits to Mick Stanton on Facebook
