Cage Warriors Bantamweight Reece McEwan is gearing up for an exciting 2024 after facing a title challenge defeat towards the end of last year.
Having joined the promotion in 2022, McEwan built an impressive four-fight win streak over 15 months, leading to a Bantamweight title clash against Liam ‘The Nightmare’ Gittins in November 2023.
Despite a tough first round where McEwan absorbed heavy strikes resulting in profuse bleeding, in a recent interview with Fighters Only he acknowledges Gittins for the win and reflects on areas for improvement:
Reece McEwan Reflects on Cage Warriors Title Fight
“The Gittins fight didn’t swing my way; Liam emerged as the champion that night. I bled a lot in the first round, losing composure. Looking back, there are things I could have done better. It’s 25 minutes of experience gained. A couple of months later, it’s behind me, and I’m focused on the next bout, aiming to surpass my November 25th performance.”
Despite significant damage in the opening round, McEwan displayed incredible grit to endure the next four rounds, a feat he takes pride in:
“What I’m proud of is the heart I showed. At the end of round 2, down two rounds, having lost so much blood, I felt ill. Going into round three, I told myself I won’t give up, won’t get finished. Stay in the fight, seek the finish, find a path to victory. It shows how much you want it when you’re in the trenches like that.”
The physical reminders of the battle lingered, with stitches on his face and a bloodshot eye, making the loss more painful:
“The visible injuries made the loss harder. Constant reminders had people asking about my face and eye. But like any performance, you break it down – some good, some to improve. After the fight, I isolated myself for a week to regroup emotionally, excited for the next one.”
Looking Ahead to Cage Warriors Scotland
Cage Warriors heads to Scotland on April 20th, landing at Glasgow’s Braehead Arena. McEwan, anticipating his return to the ring, is thrilled to perform close to home:
“Cage Warriors Scotland will be a special night. It’s a testament to the growing support. Now, supporters won’t need to travel for hours; the arena is closer to my house than training. It’s a huge arena, and it’ll be a special night in my career.”
Eagerly eyeing 2024, McEwan, aims to capitalize on opportunities and evolve as a mixed martial artist:
“For me, it’s about progressing in my career. The Braehead Arena fight marks my 10th professional bout, and I’m looking forward to it. Training is going well, and I feel more mature and experienced. In 2024, I’m focused on delivering strong performances, staying active, and continuing this amazing journey.”
Are you excited to see Reece McEwan back in action! Let us know in the comments!
