MMA Plus recently brought to you an exclusive interview with Cage Warriors’ featherweight number one contender Martin Svensson, ahead of his title shot at Cage Warriors 59, on Sept 14. This time, we bring you Svensson’s opponent, and CWFC featherweight champion Jim ‘The Beast’ Alers.
Svensson (12-3) will challenge for Alers’ (10-1) belt on September 14th, in what will be the Swede’s first ever fight under the Cage Warriors banner. For Jim it will be business as usual as he fights for the fourth straight time in the promotion which he calls home.
“Cage Warriors is by far the biggest promotion in Europe and is quickly growing beyond that. Signing guys (to exclusive contracts) is a great thing for the fighters because they put on so many shows a year that it will keep them busy. The UFC has looked to Cage Warriors for many fighters and they have produced many top name guys who have made it to that level.”
Despite his opponent being a newcomer to the fold, the American has seen quite a bit of Martin and is relatively impressed. While he is looking forward to competing against another more than capable fighter and testing himself in all areas, he is certain in his mind that this fight will be no different than any of his fights to date. This will not go to a decision.
“I have seen a few of his fights and he seems tough, but not unbeatable. I noticed that he has a lot of wins by submission, as do I, So this will make for a great match up on the ground. I feel he has fought some tough guys but nobody like me. I’m looking forward to slaying the giant. It’s hard to see where this fight will go. We both seem to favour the ground game, so maybe we decide to stand for a bit a trade. I don’t know what’s going to happen but I know for sure its not going to go the distance.”
Martin told me last week that he is looking forward to the fight and firmly believes he is walking away with the belt. Does ‘The Beast’ see that as overconfidence or a way of trying to make him doubt himself? Nope. He feels the exact same way.
“Confidence is key to any fight. I believe in my skills and abilities 100 percent. There is no way that Svensson can be training harder than me. I live for this, day and night. I don’t want to sound cocky, but I know I am walking away from this one with the W.”
Obviously every MMA fighter’s dream and goal is to be in the UFC and Jim is no different. As we touched on earlier, there have been a few former Cage Warriors fighters in the UFC recently. While that is the ultimate goal, for now he will be content in becoming dominant as a champion where he is.
“Right now my main focus is being the best Featherweight champion Cage Warriors has ever seen. Like I said before, many fighters have gone to the UFC from CW and have even come back. If my day does come to fight in the UFC I will represent the CW alumni well. “
One man who did move on to the UFC from Cage Warriors was Conor McGregor. Alers was scheduled to fight McGregor back in September last year, but that fight never came about due to the Irishman sustaining an injury, and then relinquishing not only the featherweight, but the bantamweight belt upon moving up to the grand stage. Jim said that he wants to be the best featherweight champ that Cage Warriors has ever seen. Right now, for many people, that crown goes to McGregor. Fed up of Conor Mcgregor, Jim is looking forward and isn’t dwelling on missed opportunities…However, if the chance should arise…
“I’m tired of Conor McGregor questions. We both have fights that we are training for now. He is doing a good job so far showing that Cage Warriors has great, talented fighters on their roster. He is not on my mind any more, but of course, if the opportunity came up I would gladly submit him in a heart beat.”
Cage Warriors 59 takes place September 14th from the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Wales and features Martin Svensson vs Jim Alers for the featherweight title as well as a one-night four man Bantamweight championship tournament. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/36004AD59576727E
Photo credit: Dolly Clew/Cage Warriors
Gregg Mullen @MMAGregg
