Cage Warriors flyweight champion Shaj Haque is looking for a UFC call-up with a statement win at Cage Warriors 158.
Haque faces Michele Martignoni on July 29 in Rome, Italy. This will be the first defence of his flyweight title.
The 32-year-old’s only losses in recent years have come against UFC-level competition in Tagir Ulanbekov, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, and Jake Hadley.
‘Superman’ is now riding a five-fight win streak and is looking to get the recognition of the leading MMA promotion with a statement performance.
He said: “My goal is to get to the UFC, I’m gonna fight the best in the world now. I’m hoping that I can make a statement in this fight and then get that recognition that I deserve and hopefully, the UFC signs me.”
The UFC has delved into the South Asian market in recent years with their ‘Road to UFC’ tournament, but Haque still has hopes of becoming the first Bangladeshi-born athlete to compete in the UFC.
He continued: “Also, that would allow me to make history by being the first Bangladeshi-born athlete in the UFC and I think that could really boost the sport in the country of Bangladesh and inspire loads of guys from my background to pursue the sport and things like that.
“So, I really hope I get the opportunity to do that.”
Shaj Haque on Cage Warriors Title Fight vs Michele Martignoni
Martignoni comes into the bout having won the bantamweight title in October 2022. However, the Italian vacated the belt and now hopes to win another at 125 lbs.
Although he will be fighting in his opponent’s home country, Haque is looking forward to the hostile atmosphere and thinks he will be able to put the pace on the 27-year-old across five rounds.
He said. “The crowd is gonna be insane, if anything like when I came when he [Martignoni] won the bantamweight title.
“I feel like it’s gonna be quite hostile towards me but, usually, any atmosphere, I like it. I think it gives me a bit of energy as well and I think that support that he felt last time, I think this time it’s gonna be pressure for him.
“His last fight, he was improving as the fight went on, but this fight he’s gonna realise that I improve as the fight goes on and I don’t think he’s gonna be able to keep up with my pace for that long. Every minute the fight goes on, I’m gonna be pushing the pace more, he’s gonna be slowing down.
“I see myself winning [in] many different ways, I feel like I can potentially knock him out, I could potentially submit him, and I’m definitely confident that I can win a decision. So, I think the only way I see him winning is – I don’t, I don’t see it.”
Haque Full Exclusive Interview
You can watch the full interview with Haque below:
Please provide transcription credit with a link to this article if you use any of these quotes.
Featured image credits to Dolly Clew
