Interview: Jason Cooledge Ahead of Cage Warriors 69

Interview: Jason Cooledge Ahead of Cage Warriors 69
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

cagewarriors.com

On Saturday night Jason Cooledge will step in to Cage Warriors octagon to take on Brad Wheeler in a bout that has fight of the night written all over it.

A product of BKK fighter Cooledge is perhaps one the most underrated lightweights in the country having only lost to top contenders such as Brendan Loughnane, Saul Rodgers, and Jason Ball. We caught up with Cooledge ahead of Cage Warriors 69 to discuss his bout with Brad Wheeler.

Houten:You have been selected to fight on the absolutely stacked Cage Warriors Super Saturday card, how excited are you to be added to this card, and would you say this is one of, if not the biggest domestic card the UK has ever seen?
Cooledge: I'm super excited about this fight, this fight card this is with out a doubt the biggest card the UK has ever seen.

With just 2 weeks out until the fight how is your weight looking, and how has your camp been for this fight?
Everything is perfect. Weight is good, fitness is never better, and I'm in the best shape of my life mentally, physically, and technically.

You have several team mates fighting on this card, does that make staying motivated in training easier?
Motivation is never a problem.  I love it, so I always train my hardest what ever happens, but to have the whole gym peeking at the same time is awesome.

With Mason and Allen on the card who will be in your corner for this fight?
My corner, will be as always - Sean Carter, hood friend and main training partner and my BJJ coach Lee Catling who is the man at everything so I'm more then happy.

You’re fighting Brad Wheeler on the Super Saturday card, what do you think of Brad? What do you think he brings to this fight?
He is a nice bloke. I've spoke to him before, and I have nothing bad to say. He comes out fast and likes to fight so I'm really excited about this.

You were original scheduled to fight Wheeler last year, how disappointed were you to originally have to pull out of the fight, and in the back of your mind did you always know you your paths would cross at some point?
I'm really happy for this fight to happen. I knew this always would happen at some point, why wouldn't it? It's a potential Fight Of The Night on any card.

Looking back to when you were originally scheduled to fight Wheeler, how much more would you say you have improved over the last year?
I'm sure we have both improved everywhere so it will be the same [as when we were first meant to fight].

Where would you say you have the advantage over Brad in this fight?

You have lost  3 times by submission in your career. With Brad taking 8 of his 11 wins by submission is your ground game something you have focused on in this fight?
I've lost 3 fights by submission and won 6 of my 10 fights by sub so I'm not worried at all. In fact I think this is where I have the biggest advantage.
Watching Brads fights he is happy to come forward to stand and trade. Would you say a fighter like that brings out the best in you?
yeah,  him coming forward is perfect for me and really allows me to implement my game plan.

You’re 0-2 under the Cage Warriors banner, do you feel any extra pressure to win this bout than you would do normally knowing that with another loss Cage Warriors might not offer you another fight?
The only pressure is what I put on myself. I just want to show everyone at Cage Warriors what I can do as I have not shown my true potential...yet.

Finally how do you see yourself winning the fight with Brad on Saturday?
Everywhere!