Nick Newell Wants to 'Make a Statement' at CES MMA 56
Nick
Newell has fought in many of the top mixed martial arts
promotions around the world, most notably the
World Series of Fighting and
Legacy Fighting Alliance. However, his number one MMA goal was
to compete at the pinnacle of the sport, to compete for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Newell received his opportunity last July when selected to fight in Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, a feeder program that sends top performers directly to the UFC. Newell, a congenital left-arm amputee, suffered a unanimous decision loss to Alex Munoz and hasn't competed since.
Newell is back now, ready to debut for the Rhode Island-based
combat sports promotion Classic Entertainment & Sports. Initially
scheduled to fight Kalvin
Hackney, "Notorious" will now face 32-year-old Antonio
Castillo Jr. at
CES MMA 56.
"The Mexican Muscle" holds a record of 10-11, losing his last four fights in a row. Newell admitted recently to MMA Junkie Radio that he is "taking a step back" by fighting for a regional promotion like CES, but doesn't devalue the strength of the east coast league, especially since his May 31 bout will stream live on UFC Fight Pass.
Despite the DWTNCS setback, Newell, a new father, is still focused on moving forward with his career, "I don't want to stand still. I don't want to fight and be in the same spot. So at CES, I have to make a statement."
Newell hopes that putting on a strong performance at CES will catch the attention of top MMA promotions like the Professional Fighters League (formerly WSOF), Bellator, and of course, the UFC. Newell, 33, wants the big leagues to see what he can do and "reach out to me and be like, 'Damn, I want this guy.'"
Newell received his opportunity last July when selected to fight in Dana White's Tuesday Night Contender Series, a feeder program that sends top performers directly to the UFC. Newell, a congenital left-arm amputee, suffered a unanimous decision loss to Alex Munoz and hasn't competed since.
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"The Mexican Muscle" holds a record of 10-11, losing his last four fights in a row. Newell admitted recently to MMA Junkie Radio that he is "taking a step back" by fighting for a regional promotion like CES, but doesn't devalue the strength of the east coast league, especially since his May 31 bout will stream live on UFC Fight Pass.
Despite the DWTNCS setback, Newell, a new father, is still focused on moving forward with his career, "I don't want to stand still. I don't want to fight and be in the same spot. So at CES, I have to make a statement."
Newell hopes that putting on a strong performance at CES will catch the attention of top MMA promotions like the Professional Fighters League (formerly WSOF), Bellator, and of course, the UFC. Newell, 33, wants the big leagues to see what he can do and "reach out to me and be like, 'Damn, I want this guy.'"
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