(Loughran in action. Image courtesy of Cage Warriors)
On May 22nd, at the return of Cage Warriors on their ‘Right to Fight’ show, Greg Loughran (18-14) will face off against Alexandre Izidro (6-11) with the aim of taking the Cage Warriors Lightweight Title back to EFR. The Northern Irishman is excited ahead of this contest.
“I’m over the moon about this fight,” beamed Greg. “I’m coming off a few frustrating losses and want to get back at it again to show I have potential and justify how hard I’ve been training.”
However, as Greg readily admits, Izidro will not roll over and let him win. “His BJJ is obviously his strong point,” analysed Loughran. “I’ve been working with a lot of good BJJ guys at Gracie Barra Orlando though. There’s about 25 world class black belts here, and I roll with them on a daily basis. I’m not unfamiliar with the ground. I’m not going to give too much away with regards to my strategy, but I’ll be comfortable no matter where this fight goes.”
Going into this bout, Loughran is coming off three losses, while ‘Xandinho’ has been beat in his last seven. Greg feels this could motivate his foe, but is also massively fired up himself.
“It can swing you either way,“ said the Ballyronan man of losing several ‘on the trot’. “I know its made me more determined, I’ve been improving a lot in training and I’m determined to showcase that.
“I’m really determined for this fight, plus the belt is a massive bonus,” he continued. “My last fights have been against top level guys, and it’s been a huge experience to fight at this level in front of thousands of people; experiences I’ll take to the grave with me. This is what I live for. It beats being stuck in 9-5!”
The May 22nd show will mark the comeback of Cage Warriors, a popular promotion which has previously showcased the likes of Dan Hardy, Michael Bisping and Martin Kampmann, and this makes the upcoming bout particularly special for Loughran.
“I’ve fought on Cage Warriors in the UK and USA,” explained Greg. “Both have been amazing experiences and I’ve been looked after very well on both occasions by Ian Dean in the UK and Tommy Gleeson in the US. I’m very grateful to get a shot at the title; it’s a dream come true. Now all I’ve got to do is live that dream!
“I’m also really excited to be back fighting in the UK,” he carried on. “I hoped to be back earlier [having not fought on these shores since July 2008] but it’s come at the right time. I still have a lot to offer in this sport. I’m learning and improving every day.”
He then explained when and where he will train in the lead up to the show. “I’ve been training in the U.S at Gracie Barra, Orlando for the last eight weeks,“ he said. “I’m fit, healthy and ready to go now. I never let my fitness slip too much. I put on a little weight to let my body heal up though, as I get my body fat down low to make weight. I’ll be training back home for the next month at EFR, Rodney Moore IMMA Ballymena and Progressive Combat Belfast with Liam Shannon.”
This could well prove to be the fight which puts Greg’s name on the map again. A quality operator, he holds victories over Andre Winner and Rob Sinclair; two of the premier lightweights in the country. It will be interesting to see if the twenty-six year old can make himself a force once again.
For more information on Cage Warriors: ‘Right to Fight’ visit www.cagewarriors.com.
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