"I don't assume you’ll be able to deny me for much longer and I feel individuals will see that quickly."
These are the assured phrases of Wrexham native Ieuan Davies who has his sights firmly fastened on the UFC.
And with the beginning he has made to his skilled combined martial arts profession, there isn’t any purpose he shouldn’t really feel assured.
The 30-year-old captured the Cage Warriors light-weight title e as he stopped Omiel Brown in simply 61 seconds with a rear bare choke.
It was the sixth submission victory of the Welshman's profession and one he hopes caught UFC president Dana White's eye.
"I really consider it is going to occur," Davies informed BBC Sport Wales.
"I don't assume the UFC can't name after our form of resume."
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Davies solely has to take a look at former Cage Warriors light-weight champions Conor McGregor and Mason Jones, who each moved on to the UFC, to consider he’s on the suitable path.
With an ideal 8-0 file, Davies is bidding to turn out to be the eighth Welsh fighter to earn a UFC contract.
"If now we have to maintain combating, then that's what we'll do till we get there however I really consider that we are going to compete and battle within the UFC," Davies stated.
However for his one battle that went the space with Michael Pagani, Davies averaged 190 seconds per battle in his different 5 bouts in Cage Warriors.
And whereas Davies has not but been in a position to present his full repertoire, he insists he’s "an entire combined martial artist."
"I feel individuals have gotten this outlook on me that I'm only a grappler, and numerous my fights have gone that manner," he stated.
"However the finishes have simply been there, so I'm clearly going to take them.
"I do consider I'm an distinctive grappler, however I feel individuals haven't simply seen the total Ieuan Davies but."
Combined martial arts or navy?
With a brand new strap of gold adorning his shoulder, Davies' choice to give up his job as a paratrooper within the British Military actually seems to be justified.
Davies stated: "On the time, lots of people have been a bit frightened and anxious, pondering, 'you're leaving profession behind there, are you positive that's what you need to do?'
"I totally loved the place I used to be at, it was thrilling being within the parachute regiment, profession, however it was positively the suitable choice [to leave] on the time.
"I didn't need to be on my deathbed pondering, 'oh, what if? What if this? What if that?' I believed, I'm going to take the leap and simply see what occurs."
This 12 months has marked a stark distinction to 2025 when a irritating run of cancelled bouts and accidents nearly made Davies return to the navy.
"Final 12 months I truly thought, I don't know if I've made the suitable choice right here and I used to be contemplating going again in," Davies stated.
"I suppose there's at all times issue and wrestle in every part that we do.
"At this second in time I can look again and go, 'are you aware what? It was value it' and the celebrities have aligned."
Repping Wrexham
Davies made the choice to maneuver from Wrexham to Wigan the place he’s coached by MMA veteran Tom Blackledge at Fighter Blueprint Academy.
Commuting from Wrexham to Liverpool for work by way of Chester earlier than spending his evenings coaching in Wigan grew to become an excessive amount of, so the household relocated.
"So far as the fitness center, that is my house however I've at all times received the Welsh in me for positive," he stated.
"I’m a proud Welshman and I at all times rep that flag. One in all my primary targets is to encourage individuals from Wrexham.
"I at all times envisioned pubs in Wrexham with my battle getting proven on the tv, me successful after which the pub erupting, with pints flying far and wide.
"I've at all times stated I'm only a younger lad from a small city, nicely a metropolis now, with large desires, and I'm going to stay by that and we'll hold pushing to wherever we're meant to be."
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