Tom Breese “I will be looking to compete November or December this year.”

Tom Breese “I will be looking to compete November or December this year.”

Credit Cage Warriors

by Andreas Georgiou - @AGeorgiouMMA

Birmingham's Tom “Fearless” Breese has been tipped by many as one of UKMMA's next stars. With all six of his professional wins coming by finishes, Breese has shown success with his aggressive yet calculated style of fighting. 

Despite only being 22 years-old, Breese has already trained with some of the world's best at Tristar Gym in Canada.

He was set to take UKMMA by storm after his British welterweight title win at BAMMA 11. However, a severe ACL injury meant that Breese has spent the last year on the sidelines. 

In an interview with Love2Fight magazine's George McCann, Breese admitted he had partially torn his ACL a year before the actual injury, although he completely tore it whilst training at Tristar gym in July 2013. He started undergoing constructive surgery that November. 

“I'm currently eight months and three weeks post-op from ACL surgery. Recovery has gone great, I returned to full training at eight months post-op and feel sharper than ever.” 

Breese has stressed the importance of not rushing his return from injury, in order to preserve the longevity of his career. 

“It is very important not to rush back. This injury is very serious and can ruin a fighters career if it is not looked after and rehabilitated in the best way possible.

MMA is my whole life, without it I would be lost, so I have been extremely dedicated to rehabilitating my knee and I will continuing with strength work and rehab for the rest of my career.”

He defeated Warren Kee in December 2012 to become the BAMMA British Middleweight champion, calling it his defining moment. Yet, the following April, the Fearless MMA fighter accepted a multi-fight contract offer with Cage Warriors. 

“Winning the BAMMA title was a great achievement. Then the opportunity came to sign for Cage Warriors and I couldn't turn down the chance to fight higher calibre opponents and test my self in Europe's toughest division. 

When I signed with Cage Warriors last year I was very excited to fight for Europe's best show and test my fighting style against a stacked welterweight division. 

Now I'm even more excited and hungry, I've improved physically and mentally in the last year.” 

With any fighter out for a lengthy period time, there is the worry of ring rust upon their return, but the 22 year old has no such uncertainty. 

“I haven't fought in such a long time but I will be better because of it. I don't believe in ring rust. I had a year out from sparring and had my first spar a couple of weeks ago my timing was better than ever I believe that's because I kept in great shape during my recovery.” 

Although he has been out of action, Breese has admitted to keeping a close eye on the competition. “I drive down to every show in England or Wales and watch. I like to go to the events to visualise and prepare mentally for fight time. Also I'm a big fan of the sport and more than happy to travel to watch a great show live.” 

Breese remains undefeated at both amateur and professional level. He has finished all six of his pro bouts, 90% of them by submission. It is clear he will be a true challenge to anyone in the welterweight division once he debuts under the Cage Warriors banner. 

“The welterweight division is very exciting and I can't wait to compete in it. I will not target a single name as I'm ready to fight anyone in the division. 

I dedicate my whole life to being the best in the world and that's what I'm working towards everyday.” 

After Cathal Pendred relinquished his welterweight title upon accepting to take part on The Ultimate Fighter season 19, it was up to Cage Warriors to crown a new champion. At CWFC 66, Nicolas Dalby finished Sergei Churilov in the fourth round to take the gold. The fight took place in Dalby's homeland of Denmark. 

“I think Nicolas Dalby is a exciting fighter and brings a different style of fighting into the Cage Warriors welterweight division so do many other of the welterweights. I look forward to solving these puzzles and showcasing my fighting style.” 

With the rest of the welterweight division continuing to improve, including talented fighters such as Jack Mason, Mohsen Bahari, and Jake Bostwick, Breese is looking forward to mixing it up with the best. Hopefully for him, before the end of 2014. 

“Everything is going to plan so far and I will be looking to compete November or December this year. Next year I plan to be extremely active.”

You can keep up to date with Tom Breese's return by following him on Twitter - @Breese0121

Cage Warriors 56: Weigh in results

Cage Warriors 56 weigh in results

(Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors)

The fighters are set for tomorrow night’s Cage Warriors 56 action at The Forum in London following this afternoon’s weigh-ins.
Headliners Bola Omoyele and Vincent del Guerra both made weight for their welterweight tussle, although Omoyele needed a second attempt before tipping the scales at the 171lbs limit.

Denniston Sutherland also had to make use of the additional two hours before he was on weight for his middleweight clash with Brett Bassett, but Andy Green and Aymard Guih both failed to make the contracted weight for their respective bouts.

Green was 0.8lb too heavy and surrendered 25 percent of his purse to opponent Arnold Allen, while Guih - who accepted the fight just yesterday - came in 3.4lbs over the limit for his 165lbs catchweight bout against Brad Wheeler. However, having stepped in at such short notice, no deduction was made from Guih’s purse.

MAIN CARD
Welterweight: Vincent del Guerra (170.8lbs) v Bola Omoyele (171lbs)*
150lbs catchweight: Patrik Berisha (150.5lbs) v Robbie Olivier (149.3lbs)
Middleweight: Brett Bassett (182.9lbs) v Denniston Sutherland (185.9lbs)**
Featherweight: Nad Narimani (145.8lbs) v Graham Turner (146lbs)
160lbs catchweight: Warren Kee (160.5lbs) v Philip Mulpeter (160.4lbs)
Middleweight: Fabio Ferrari (185.3lbs) v Brett Sizeland (185.7lbs)

FACEBOOK PRELIMS
Lightweight: Adam Boussif (154.4lbs) v Sean Carter (155.2lbs)
Featherweight: Arnold Allen (144.8lbs) v Andy Green (146.8lbs)***
165lbs catchweight: Aymard Guih (169.4lbs)**** v Brad Wheeler (165.2lbs)

NON-STREAMED PRELIM
Bantamweight: Florian Calin (135.8lbs) v Paddy Pimblett (135.8lbs)

*Omoyele initially weighed in at 171.2lbs
**Sutherland initially weighed in at 187.7lbs
***Green initially weighed in at 148.2lbs; surrenders 25 percent of purse to Allen having also failed on second attempt.
****Guih failed to make weight but, having taken the fight on a day’s notice, no purse deduction occurred.

Warren Kee ahead of Cage Warriors 56 "I am getting back in the win column on Saturday night"

Warren Kee talks to Kingdom MMA before his fight at Cage Warriors 56

by Ben Heather @benheather

On Saturday night Cage Warriors 56 takes place live from The Forum in Kentish Town, London. As part of the main card Warren Kee will be fighting Philip Mulpeter, this will be the first time Kee is fighting in 2013 and comes in to the contest after losing his last two fights. Yesterday Kingdom MMA had the pleasure of catching up with Kee and discussed his recent record, dropping weight class and his fight at Cage Warriors 56.

Ben: Thank you for your time and agreeing to an interview with Kingdom MMA. For those that don't really know Warren Kee or might be checking out Cage Warriors for the first time on Saturday, can you tell us a little about yourself and what the people can expect?
Kee: No problem thanks for the interview, Cage Warriors is one of the top shows in Europe so all fights on there shows are well matched and exciting, I'm just a normal clean guy who works hard at what he does and is always looking to finish, I've just come off 2 very disappointing fights so I intend to rectify that on Saturday night, this will be a great fight.

Ben: This is the second time you have thought for Cage Warriors, what does it mean to you to fight for the biggest European MMA organisation?
Kee: It means a lot to me and I'm grateful for the opportunity, I was matched on previous Cage Warriors shows in the past but had to pull out due to injuries which was incredibly frustrating.

Ben: You are coming in to this fight off the back of two losses and 1 draw, do you feel added pressure is on you to get the win?
Kee: Yes definitely, I have massively under performed in my last 2 fights and that still hurts me personally, I am getting back in the win column on Saturday night.

Ben: Have you made any adjustments to your game after your last defeat?
Kee: Yes mainly by dropping a weight class, I haven't cut weight in last 4 or so fights so have literally walked round at 78kg and you can't do that these days, welterweights now are walking round and fighting at 85 - 90+ kilos where I was still 78kg, this was just too much of a disadvantage and with some fighters using special supplements etc it makes it even a bigger struggle, technique wise I have worked on everything and evolve each session further.

Ben: At 39 years old now would a loss on Saturday night make you think about calling an end to your mma career?
Kee: No, this is the start in my eyes. I improve daily and my hunger to train is always there.

Ben: This fight is at a catchweight of 160lbs. You mentioned before you wanted to drop to lightweight? How did the catchweight fight come about?
Kee: I wanted a catchweight fight to test the waters before the dropping fully to 155, I was fortunate that this was available to have.

Ben: So you see your future as a lightweight after this fight then?
Kee: Yes 155lbs is right for me I feel, I had tests done and all the numbers I got back have proved that too. I'm very disciplined anyway but lightweight will bring out the best in me for sure.

Ben: How is the weight coming down before the weigh ins is everything on plan for Fridays weigh in?
Kee: I feel great, better than ever so really looking forward to fighting, I knew I should have dropped divisions years ago but it wasn't broke so I just kept on at 170lbs.

Ben: You have only gone the distance once in your career which ended in a draw, do you train to be able to fight for the full 15 minutes or do you train to stop the fight ASAP?
Kee: I had points deducted in that fight that cost me the win but I always train for the full fight duration, I can push the pace for 3 rounds at this weight due to better energy levels from a better diet too.

Ben: What do you expect from your opponent Philip Mulpeter?
Kee: A really tough fight, he looks well rounded, tough and he is from from a great camp, the fans will like this one for sure.

Ben: What's your game plan for Saturday night and where do you believe you have an advantage in this fight?
Kee: I don't want to give no plans away but I feel I'm stronger in all areas and at a weight closer to where I need to be fighting, I'm in the best shape ever so just going to fight hard.

Ben: Thank you for your time Warren, lastly would you like to thank anyone?
Kee: Massive thanks to sponsors - Tsunami gym, Relentless MMA, Max office supplies, QNT UK, Setai clinic, Funky gums, Fightwear MK.

Also all my coaches and teammates and my own students too.

My girlfriend Sam and my mate Zane have been amazing as have my parents and friends.

Finally Cage Warriors for the opportunity to fight and yourself for the interview, I hope the fans enjoy my fight and a great stacked card from top to bottom it is stacked with amazing talent.

Thank you to Warren for his time and you can watch his fight at Cage Warriors 56 live on Premier Sports from 9pm on Saturday night. We will be live reporting from the event on our twitter account so if you can't make it live or get chance to watch it on TV, stay posted to those updates.

Cage Warriors 56 is headlined by the return of Bola Omoyele in his first fight since signing his exclusive contract with Cage Warriors. Bola is set to battle Vincent del Guerra in the main event, also on the card are Robbie Olivier, Graham Turner, Denniston Sutherland and Brett Bassett.