After their previous clash at Cage Warriors 80 was cancelled, bantamweights Nathaniel Wood and Vaughan Lee will finally meet one another in the ring at Cage Warriors 82 this Saturday. The original bout was scrapped after doctors found an anomaly with Wood’s brain scan leaving them unable to clear him as medically fit.
In an interview with MMAPlus, Wood admitted he was left ‘devastated’ by the decision but believes the misfortune may have been a blessing in disguise.
“It was gutting for me. I had to go and hand 150 tickets back from my friends and family. Obviously I didn’t get to fight but I’m glad we got it back on. I’m medically clear now so I’m just excited to get in there on Saturday”, said Wood.
“You know when they said the fight would be rescheduled for Liverpool, I thought to myself it could be a blessing in disguise that the last one got cancelled you know. This is a bigger platform and I think the venue holds 7000 from what I’ve been told. I believe I’m the co-main event because (CW Lightweight champ, Chris) Fishgold pulled out so you know that’ll be on BT Sport and UFC Fight Pass so I’m really looking forward to it and getting the exposure I deserve.”
Although he has not had the simplest of fight camps due to his previous bout with Lee being cancelled, Wood feels like come Saturday night he will be in the best shape of his life.
“I had an 8 week camp for the last one and obviously that got cancelled, so I had 5 weeks to kinda taper it down a little bit and pick it back up. It’s a little bit worrying because I didn’t want to be overtrained or undertrained but to be honest, I think I’ve hit it perfect. I’m in great shape, I’m fitter and stronger than I’ve ever been, so yeah, I feel a bit shit water loading and cutting the weight but come Saturday night, I believe I’ll be in the best shape I’ve ever been in.”
Vaughan Lee is an experienced veteran and holds more than twice the amount of professional bouts as Wood including an eight fight stint with the UFC where he held a record of 3-5. During his time with the UFC he fought the likes of bantamweight champion TJ Dillishaw, Raphael Assuncao and Iuri Alcantara and secured victories over fighters such as recent retiree Nam Phan and Norifumi Yamamoto.
‘The Prospect’ admitted he has great respect for Lee but believes that his opponent’s experience is not enough to see him walk away with the win.
“I think it’ll come down to who wants it more on the night, of course I’m not looking past Vaughan as he’s a very dangerous opponent and I do have a lot of respect for him but I do believe I’m part of the new generation and I can come in fast”, explained Wood
“I’m in my prime and I believe he’s on his way out. He’s been at the top kinda thing, he’s been in the UFC and he’s on his way down. I think in his head he’s thinking yeah I want to get back into it but unfortunately he’s been matched up with me so yeah I feel confident.”
Nathaniel Wood sets out to fufill UFC goal
Wood currently holds a record of 9-3 after fighting for a variety of promotions such as BAMMA and Bellator and a victory this weekend would definitely be his biggest win to date. A victory which the Brit believes would prove that he is ready to compete with the elite in the world of MMA and the likes of his UFC counterparts.
“It would be huge, if I defeat Vaughan then where does that put me, like I said he’s had 8 fights in the UFC so you know obviously I think he won 3 and lost 5 so you know if I beat him that proves that I can hang in there with the top guys. It will be huge for me to beat Vaughan”, said Wood.
“I believe that will show that I’m ready, I believe that I’ve been ready to get to the UFC for a long time, skill wise you know last year I had a lot of stuff stopping me from fights and I only managed to fight twice. But I believe I should already be in there so once I put someone like Vaughan out you know, that makes a statement to everyone that I do deserve to be there so hopefully people will back me as much as I’m backing myself.”
Wood’s current contract with Cage Warriors is currently only a one fight deal however he did reveal that he, his team, and Cage Warriors kingpin Graham Boylan are looking to line something up after this weekend’s bout. Although he may look to sign a new contract with the promotion, the London man could not deny that he would like to emulate the achievements of his opponent and also his cornerman Brad Pickett, which is to eventually fight under the UFC banner.
“You know, I think Cage Warriors is the biggest show outside of the UFC, I think they’re a great platform to be with. Obviously the main goal, I’m not going to lie, is the UFC. That’s where we’re gonna get paid the most, that’s where we are gonna get the most exposure and It’ll be nice to fly the English flag on the biggest platform in mixed martial arts so I believe Cage Warriors is the platform to get me there.”
In the past Wood has called out the likes of the much followed James Gallagher. However, he admits he has no plans for the future just yet but knows one thing the fans can expect on Saturday night and for the foreseeable future.
“I believe it’ll be a real fast paced fight, you know, and I’ll believe I’ll get the finish in the first round. Then just expect hard work you know I work hard so you’re never going to see me in a boring fight when I’m in there I’m gonna be grinding and expect exciting fights. Whoever it is, I’ll take it.”
