Next Generation MMA athlete, Adam Cullen, is ready to put the high-level training he has undertaken to good use this Saturday at the BEC Arena for Cage Warriors 136.
Cage Warriors makes its return to Manchester, England, this weekend with a spectacular double-header event in store for those attending. Cage Warriors 135 will go down this coming Friday, followed by Cage Warriors 136 on Saturday.
The card is highly-stacked with the country’s rising talent, and one man who falls under that category is hot prospect, Adam Cullen. Cullen will make his fourth appearance under the Cage Warriors banner as a professional fighter and meets a fellow undefeated fighter in El Hadji Ndiaye.
We had the opportunity to speak with Cullen to get his thoughts on his first outing of 2022.
Interview With Adam Mullen
Saturday night, you make the walk for the first time in 2022. Talk to me. How are you feeling, and how has camp been ahead of April 2nd?
Training has been great as usual. I’ve been training hard since my last fight, really. Working with all the other lads on CW Manchester in the gym has been good. Plus, being there while Paddy and MMolly get ready for the UFC. High-level training all round.
You currently stand at (3-0) as a professional with three first-round stoppages. Due to the success, have the structure of the camps stayed the same? Have you kept the “If it’s not broke, don’t fix it” mentality, or are you always adjusting to your training camp fight after fight?
I’m always looking at ways to get better. I watch all my fights and pick out every little flaw in my performance. I’m not one of these guys sitting back thinking I’ve got it all figured out. I aim to be the best in the world.
Drawing Inspiration From Teammates
I’ll touch on it while it’s hot, and as I saw, you were in attendance at UFC London. With the recent success of the gym, has that played a positive role in your camp, especially with Molly and Paddy preparing for huge fights? I can imagine the atmosphere in the gym has been incredible to train in?
The gym has been absolutely buzzing ever since their last fights in October. It’s been interesting to see how much attention they have around them and how popular the sport is becoming in the UK. It’s been a boss atmosphere.
With that being said, I feel what Paul Rimmer has done is extraordinary and doesn’t get the complete pop he deserves. He seems incredibly humble and down to earth. Talk to me briefly about Paul as a coach and the impact he has made on your MMA journey thus far?
None of our coaches gets the credit they deserve. Paul Rimmer, Ellis Hampson and Adam Ventre are the best coaching team in the UK. They prove that time and time again with the number of homegrown fighters coming out of our gym. Everything I know is a product of what they’ve taught me over the years, so my whole MMA career is a credit to them.
Path to Victory
There is a clear pattern in the way you get things done. You’re prone to a round-one rear-naked-choke. Is it fair to say that fans can expect the same from April 2nd? How do you visualise getting it done?
I just visualise myself winning every single exchange. Not looking for anything particular I’m just looking to finish fights and dominate opponents. I don’t care what happens; I only care about winning.
Your potential is right there to see, but I’m curious, does being labelled as the “prospect” or “next big thing” bother you? Is that something that puts pressure on you, or does that fuel the fire to go on and prove those people right? What’s your stance on that?
People talking about me being a prospect doesn’t mean anything to me. When I was training three years ago, 4-3 as an amateur, I know people were saying I wasn’t good enough to be anything. I was just blocking out the noise and focused on proving myself right. I’ve still got a big chip on my shoulder, ready to reach my goals.
Adam Cullen Talks El Hadji
The man that stands across the cage from you on the night is Senegal native Ndiaye El Hadji. When offered the fight, it was obviously a fight you were happy to take and felt it’s another notch you can add to the win column. Still, how do you think this matchup suits you, and why/where?
Fair play to him. He’s obviously game and ready to fight, but I don’t think he understands the level im operating at. I’m better everywhere inside that cage and also mentally stronger. I will smash him.
Another statement victory puts you in a great spot to start your 2022 career. When you think about this time next year. Where does Adam Cullen want to be in terms of competition?
This time next year, I’ll either be champion or the number one contender for the belt. My goal for this year is to carry on being active and racking up the wins.
Off-course not looking past your opponent, every fight at this level is challenging. Still, you seem like the individual who has his map and next move panned out even before the fight. Are there any names within the division you have your eyes locked on? Or is it just a case of taking it easy, taking whoever Ian Dean throws at you?
I’m a dangerous matchup for any lightweight in Europe. I’m just looking for a step up in competition every time.
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Featured image credits to Adam Cullen
