If something, featherweight Connor Matthews appears to be like at his 2021 as a 12 months to develop on slightly than one which was a disappointment.
Despite the fact that he was solely in a position to combat as soon as final 12 months, Matthews did choose up a win and stay undefeated as he heads into his 2022 marketing campaign.
“Clearly final 12 months was not very best for a combating profession standpoint as a result of the quantity of fights I had that fell out, and coming off the pandemic with fights not being scheduled to start with,” Matthews informed MMAWeekly.com.
“I solely bought one combat in final 12 months and that’s not sufficient with what I need, so I’m actually trying ahead to this 12 months. Hopefully there are larger issues. Issues are opening up and I’m able to go, so I’m actually excited for this 12 months.”
As a result of he was in a position to have extra trip of combat camps, Matthews was in a position to work on his sport and seems like he’ll see dividends off his work in his bouts this 12 months.
“I really feel like that although I haven’t had fights, I’ve grown my sport,” mentioned Matthews. “I’ve had time to concentrate on my sport as an alternative of creating weight or simply focusing in on a combat.
“I actually set to work on my expertise, particularly my stand-up. My Jiu-Jitsu sport has additionally gotten higher. I’d say I’ve leveled up in all departments.”
This Friday in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Matthews (4-0) will look to stay unblemished when he takes on Keith Velocity (5-5) in a fundamental card 145-pound bout at CES 66.
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“I believe he’s my hardest opponent but,” Matthews mentioned of Velocity. “What I must do is fear about myself and do my sport; play my sport and never fear about what he’s going to do; he’s going to must take care of the issues I deliver to him.
“I’m able to go 4-0 and prepared for an enormous problem in my fifth combat.”
Coming into his combat this Friday undefeated and in a function spot, Matthews may begin to really feel stress construct for himself as he strikes up the ranks, however he doesn’t see it that means, however as an alternative chooses to concentrate on the fights themselves and the place they may lead him subsequent.
“I don’t really feel prefer it’s stress in any respect,” mentioned Matthews. “I’m going to go on the market and be assured and present all people what I can do.
“I type of go combat by combat since you don’t know what can occur in a combat, however ideally I’d wish to get 4 or 5 fights in a 12 months. Hopefully after this combat I can get a fast turn-around and hopefully combat on the Contender Collection by this summer time.”
