Interview: Spencer Hewitt: '2014 is My Year'

Kingdom MMA talks to Spencer Hewitt ahead of his bout with Brett Caswell
by Ben Heather - @benheather

On June the 7th, flyweight Spencer Hewitt will take on Brett Caswell on the biggest domestic fight card this year, if not ever - Cage Warriors 69 dubbed 'Super Saturday'. A blackbelt in BJJ, Hewitt, a former UCMMA champion faces arguably the toughest grappler of is career in Brett Caswell, a high-level Judo black belt who was a Commonwealth Judo Champion, as well as British Judo Champion before starting his Career in MMA. 

Just two days away from jetting off to finish his training camp at Team Alpha Male in California we spoke to Spencer Hewitt about his upcoming fight with Brett Caswell at Cage Warriors 69. 

Heather: You leave for Team Alpha Male on Saturday, can you tell us how long you are going for and what has prompted you to head over to The States? 
Hewitt: The reason I'm going is I need to go out of my comfort zone.  I want to train with the best fighters in the world to develop as a martial artist.

Will this be the first time you go to The States to train as part of a fight camp?
Yes, I've trained and competed in BJJ in The States, I also went to The Ultimate Fighter trials  but never trained MMA there.

What are you hoping to gain from your time at Team Alpha Male?
New skills and knowledge to improve in all aspects of MMA,ready for Cage Warriors 69, Super Saturday

You put to bed a tough stretch of 4 losses in a row when you defeated Cameron Else at CW64. Looking back on those loses have you identified where you were going wrong?
Yes, I was chasing the win. I was over training and was fighting when I should have been taking time out to get over an operation and injures in that last year. During the fight against Else it was clear to everyone that he gassed in the fight.

Would you say that you played it safe and cruised to make sure you got the Win?
Yes, I was in control and want to get my first win on Cage Warriors. I wanted to start 2014 with the Win.

Now the losing streak is over and you are back to winning ways what can the fans expect from yourself in London on June 7th?
You are going to see very different fighter - confident, creative and exciting - 2014 is my year.

You've had a couple of fights in Cage Warriors where you opponents have missed weight, with that in mind are you pleased to see Cage Warriors increase the penalty for missing weight?
Yes if you can't make weight it means you not really that weight class. The reason there is weight class is to make it a fair playing field and for safety.
How does it feel to be part of Super Saturday? The event which is possibly the biggest event ever in UK MMA.
I'm honoured to be part of Super Saturday. The Card is stacked, and the best fight in Europe are on this card. Graham and Ian Dean have put on another great card and it's in London which makes it more fun. Love the support of my fans in London.

Cage Warriors recently announced that they have signed a contract with channel 4. This is a massive deal for Cage Warriors and UK MMA as a whole. What are your thoughts on the new TV deal and how happy are you that people in the UK will now get the chance to see your fights on channel 4?
It amazing and will grow the sport in the UK. Cage Warriors are growing MMA in the UK and Europe and it give us UK fighters more exposure.

Your fight with Brett Caswell will be the 4th of your 5 fight contract with Cage Warriors, does that put extra pressure on your shoulders going into this fight? Do you feel you need to show a little extra or win impressively to stake a claim on a new contract?
I always want to win impressively and I'm staying on Cage Warriors. I love the show and production. I will win my next 2 fights and keep my future at Cage Warriors.

With Brett being a high level Judoka and yourself a BJJ blackbelt, can fans look forward to an exciting grappling match on June 7th?
Yes maybe there will be some exciting grappling exchanges.  I have been training with some high-level guys who expertise are judo. I am a complete MMA fighter you will see all aspects from me.

How do you see yourself winning the fight on June 7th?
Submission or KO win for me

Would you like to thank anyone or any sponsors?
Lee Pearman at Bureaulogic Recruitment for the support and making America happen, Go-Recycle, Criteria Cleaning Services, Chris, my manager at Elite MMA Agency, my amazing wife - Beelia Hewitt, mother in law - Bernie Byron, all my coaches, The Origin MMA Academy,  the MMA Academy Liverpool when I go down there they always welcome me, Team Alpha Male for having me,  all the MMA fans, Cage Warriors and Ian Dean, Graham Boylan, and a major thanks to Ross Hewitt - boxing, Marc Walder - BJJ, Peter - wrestling Jez lord - Thai boxing

cage warriors 64 Fight Card Update

More Fight Announcements for Cage Warriors 64 



Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

 The addition of the meeting of Matt Inman (pictured) and Gregor Weibel is one of several updates to the bill for Cage Warriors 64, which takes place at The Forum in Kentish Town, London, on Saturday, February 15.

The exciting welterweight contest is one of four bouts that officials have today announced for the card for CWFC’s opening event of 2014, while injuries have also led to two enforced changes.

After his scheduled CWFC 61 main-event clash against Bruno Carvalho last month in Amman fell through due to an injury to his opponent, Inman (12-5) is eager to return to action as he chases his fourth consecutive victory.

Currently ranked ninth in the UK, the 27-year-old SBG Manchester product has taken all 12 of his professional victories inside the distance, with six submissions and six (T)KOs on his record.

“I’m planning to start 2014 with another win over a good opponent, so I can’t wait to get back in the CWFC cage, especially in a fantastic venue like The Forum,” said Inman.

Weibel (8-1) will face Inman for his CWFC debut on the back of a 3-0 streak in 2013, with all three victories coming inside the very first round.

The 27-year-old Swiss prospect, who has taken all of his wins by submission, said: “I’m really excited about the opportunity to fight for the biggest promotion in Europe. It has been a dream for me and I’m looking forward to testing myself.”

Also added to CWFC 64 is a women’s strawweight bout between Kirsty Davis and Veera Nykanen, a lightweight clash between David Howell and Brad Wheeler, as well as the meeting of Andy Kerr and Charlie Watts, which will be contested at welterweight.

Meanwhile, an injury has forced Dave Lee out of his CWFC 64 bout against Nad Narimani, so highly-rated Swiss featherweight Benjamin Brander steps in to fill the vacancy.

Scott Pooley has also picked up an injury so Spencer Hewitt will now take on Cameron Else instead at a catchweight of 130lbs.

Tickets for Cage Warriors 64, priced from just £25 (plus booking fee), are available to purchase HERE.

CAGE WARRIORS 64
James Pennington vs. Cory Tait
Boubacar Balde vs. Jake Bostwick
Danny Roberts vs. TBA
Laura Howarth vs. Amanda Kelly
Benjamin Brander vs. Nad Narimani
Matt Inman vs. Gregor Weibel
David Howell vs. Brad Wheeler
Cameron Else vs. Spencer Hewitt
Kirsty Davis vs. Veera Nykanen
Andy Kerr vs. Charlie Watts
Daniel Crawford vs. Huseyin Garabet

Interview: Spencer Hewitt on Paul Marin "His Weakness is Me"

Interview: Spencer Hewitt on Paul Marin "His Weakness is Me"
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

On Saturday Spencer Hewitt will meet Paul Marin at Cage Warriors 61 in a dark horse contender for fight of the night.

Originally scheduled for Iraq, the former UCMMA bantamweight champion will now meet Romanian, Marin in Jordan due to logistic issues which cause Cage Warriors to move the card.

Earlier this week we caught up with Hewitt to discuss his preparations for the fight, and what we can expect from his bout with Marin.

Houten: You were originally meant to be fighting Paul Marin in Baghdad in December but now the event has been moved to Jordan; what were your initial thoughts when you were offered a fight in Iraq?
Hewitt: My reaction was very excited, believing it was a great opportunity to go into unknown territory but a bit  more concerned having to tell the wife due to the location!           

Houten: Cage warriors have now moved your fight from Iraq to Jordan sighting logistical issues, have cage warriors elaborated any further what those logistical issues were?
Hewitt: No, but I will fight wherever they want me to as I know they are the best show in Europe and look after all their fighters.                                                                                                                                      
Houten: How did your friends and family react when you told them you would initially be fighting in Iraq? And were they relieved when the location was changed?
Hewitt: My wife was not happy; she is relieved now.

Houten: Cage warriors are hoping to stage a card in Iraq in 2014,  would you like to be on that card?
Hewitt: Yes it be amazing, I just want to fight all over the world.

Houten: I feel your fight with Marin is a dark horse for fight of the night, how excited are you to be fighting Marin, and would you agree this fight has fight of the night written all over it?
Hewitt: Yes for sure, I'm looking for fight of the night, KO of the night or sub of the night . We will see which one.

Houten: One would say your fight with Marin was announced on pretty late notice, had Cage Warriors given you prior indication that you should be ready to fight in December, or are you essentially going into this fight on the back of a 3 week camp?
Hewitt: I knew I was fighting December, I was just waiting for Cage Warriors to release the details publicly.  I've had good camp and I'm very focused.
Houten: Your fight against Marin will be the first time in your career you have fought outside of the UK, will you approach your weight cut differently for this fight?
Hewitt: I always make weight, I will fly out slightly lighter than usual.

Houten: Will any of your friends and family be making the trip to watch fight in Jordan or just your team?
Hewitt: Just my brother, my pad man.

Houten: How do you see the fight with Marin playing out, do you see the bout mainly being a striking affair or are you looking to get the bout to the ground?
Hewitt: I'm going finish him within 3 rounds.  I think a mixed fight - some stand up and ground.

Houten: What would you say are Marin's strengths and weaknesses?
Hewitt: He's athletic and is a Roman Greco wrestler with striking.  His weakness is me.

Houten: Is there anyone you would like to thank for helping you prepare for this fight?
Hewitt: Most definitely and in no particular order, elite mma agency , Lee Perman of Bureaulogic, my Sponsor, Cage Warriors, mma terror squad, all the team, Jez Lord our Thai boxing  coach, Ross Hewitt, boxing coach, Peter the wrestling coach, Marc Walder BJJ coach, Origin mma academy, the house of mma terror squad, Alan Whitton  - fighters mind, and last but not least my beautiful wife, Beelia Hewitt who is always there supporting me on a daily basis.

Cage Warriors Adds Petrescu, Hewitt, Griffiths to Their Roster

  
Cage Warriors Adds to its Talented Roster
by Chris Houten - @houts4thewin

 
 
Leading European promotion Cage Warriors has added talented English-based trio Valentino Petrescu, Spencer Hewitt and Chad Griffiths to its roster.

Petrescu (pictured) who holds a 12-3 professional record is most famous for his stink on TUF Smashes. Widely considered in the top 15 of UK Middleweights, the Romanian born fighters only losses have come to high level fighters in Jimi Manuwa, Beslan Isaev, and Lee Chadwick

All of Petrescu's victories have come by first round stoppage. 

Hewitt, a former UCMMA interim-bantamweight champion joins Cage Warriors with 10-5 record which included 9 first round stoppages.

Having previously fought for Bamma and UCMMA, BJJ Blackbelt Hewitt holds notable wins over Cory Tait,  CWFC veteran Ben Hajir.

Finally, unbeaten prospect Chad Griffiths makes the drop to featherweight to join Cage Warriors.

Undefeated in 4 outings, Griffiths has won all of his fights by stoppage, finishing three of his four opponents inside the first round.

Petrescu, Hewitt, and Griffiths all join on five-fight deals, committing them exclusively to the organisation for the next 18 months.

Spencer Hewitt: 'It's Time to Show the World Who Spencer Hewitt is'

Spencer Hewitt Talks Cory Tait Ahead of UCMMA 33
By Chris Houten - @houts4thewin

This Saturday night from The Troxy, London, Spencer Hewitt takes on UCMMA Bantamweight Champion Cory Tait in the co-main event at UCMMA 33 in a rematch of their 2012 bout, a bout which Hewitt won by KO in just 10 seconds.

We caught up with Hewitt ahead of the fight to discuss how his preparations for the fight have gone, Taits skill set, and the possibility of a TUF 18 tryout. 

Chris: For those that don't really know Spencer Hewitt or might be checking out UCMMA for the first time on Saturday, can you tell us a little about yourself, and what the people can expect?
Hewitt: I am a MMA fighter out of MMA Terror Squad, I'm BJJ black belt with 10 years boxing I have good wrestling and Thai boxing -  I am a complete mma fighter, I come to finish fights by KO or sub. 

On Saturday your fighting Cory Tait at UCMMA 33, hows your preparation gone for the fight?
Very good, I've had a good camp. I've trained very  smart.

What's the strategy going into this fight, and has the game plan changed much since the first bout?
I'm keeping that close to my chest 

You openly said before the first fight against Tait you seen the KO there, do you see it there for the taking again, or do you think Tait maybe underestimated your striking the first time round?
The KO is still there for sure 

After the first fight against Tait, you joked you were scared to fight Tait, and was fighting on fear that night. How are your emotions feeling going into the rematch?
I am very excited and focused on taking the belt 

Being a decorated BJJ black belt, what do you think of Taits ground game?
His got a underestimated ground game, it's good, but It's not close to my level 

UCMMA 33 will be your first fight since the introduction of the new Safe MMA regulations. How are you finding the initiative so far?
I like it, it's a big step forward in safety off the fighters, it gives you peace off mind 

A little blue birdy tells me your trying out for TUF 18 in a few weeks?
Yes in Vegas I feel its my time to show the world who Spencer Hewitt Is i feel it's a good time i my career to git in to tuf 18 

Spencer, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. Is their anyone you would like to thank out there ahead of your fight on Saturday?
Yes the universe for giving me talent and the opportunity I have, Elite MMA Agency, MMA Terror Squad, Origin MMA Academy, my team: Ross Hewitt, Jez Lord, Marc Walder, Dan Duckett, Lee Pearmean, and all the MMA fans that show the sport and fighters their love. 

You can follow Spencer Hewitt on Twitter - @hewittmma, Tickets for UCMMA 33 are still available here.