Surely, Conor Cooke has been on this planet of fight sports activities for the final 20 years.
The Northern Irishman has titles in kickboxing, boxing and MMA, however is now on the verge of championship standing in Conor McGregor’s BKFC promotion.
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The truth is, his victory over Matthew Hodgson at BKFC 68 in Newcastle on Saturday night time ought to have topped him the brand new British gentle heavyweight champion.
However the 37-year-old had missed weight for the 185lb battle earlier than the Newcastle occasion on the Utilita Area, so he was in no place to be topped the brand new champion.
BKFC 68 Newcastle witnessed the coronation of Agi Faulkner as the brand new European Heavyweight Champion after a sensational important occasion battle with Oscar David.
Cooke emerged victorious within the co-main occasion, whereas BKFC minority proprietor McGregor was left speechless after Ben Bonner brutally knocked out Lewis Eager on the principle card.
‘Da Criminal’ has been closely concerned in fight sports activities for a few years so has the expertise to get again on monitor and finally declare the UK 185lb strap.
He first ventured into the world of bare-knuckle boxing in 2023 after going undefeated in three skilled boxing fights, making his debut at BKFC 40 in November of the identical 12 months.
Previous to this, Cooke had an expert MMA profession by which he earned six wins and 7 losses throughout arguably essentially the most fascinating interval of his profession.
“He skilled with me,” Cooke mentioned, when requested concerning the time he spent with present UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones throughout his MMA days.
“I went there for 4 weeks, lived on the Jackson Wink (MMA Academy) fitness center, and Jon came visiting at some point and we did somewhat bit of labor collectively.
“Slightly little bit of sparring, somewhat little bit of wrestling and he was fairly blissful. He needed me to remain, I used to be preventing again, however we’re massive guys, it was surreal; he is a fan. I am a giant fan. Sorry!”
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Probably the most fascinating side of Cooke’s early MMA interactions with Jones is not even his coaching, however his first encounter with the UFC heavyweight champion.
Jones will battle Stipe Miocic on November 17 for the principle occasion of UFC 309, with Michael Chandler dealing with Charles Oliveira in a five-round co-main occasion at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York. york metropolis.
“The primary interplay I had with him, he pointed a gun at me,” Cooke added.
“I used to be sitting there altering and I had a pair of coaching leggings on. He pulled out the gun and informed me to take my leggings off, jokingly, and I mentioned, ‘you are fortunate you’ve that gun.’
“Aside from that, we had been simply chatting about fights and stuff. It was like we had been there, we’re enterprise, we’re each fighters, we’re in the identical fitness center, we simply frolicked, chatted with one another.” and on our joyful path.
“He known as me an Irish Russian for years, he known as me the Nice Russian, nevertheless it was surreal. I used to be blown away.
“I keep in mind being on guard a few instances, simply taking a look at him, he thought I wasn’t listening, however I used to be listening.
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“It was like, ‘I am in Jon Jones’ guard,’ and we had been coaching, and it was an expertise I will cherish for the remainder of my life.”
Cooke was the favourite going into his battle with Leeds fighter Hodgson and emerged victorious after 5 two-minute rounds contained in the ring.
The Antrim man began off on the again foot as Hodgson pressured him from the primary bell, apparently aiming to take his opponent to the canvas early.
Each males traded blows, however because the battle progressed, Cooke emerged because the extra technical fighter and started to choose aside Hodgson.
Hodgson tried to catch Cooke with flash mixtures, however the latter was affected person and was capable of choose his moments extra efficiently than the Leeds man.
Because the battle approached the ultimate rounds, Hodgson was a bloody mess and actually fought his coronary heart out as he most likely thought he was dropping the battle.
Each fighters hugged on the finish of the battle after an intense stare-down in the course of the weigh-in the night time earlier than.
The three judges scored the competition 50-45, declaring Cooke the winner.
After the battle, Cooke mentioned, “I had the time of my life, however I acquired the win… 60 G’s child!”
“If I had the belt round my waist, I might have known as Jared Warren.”
Warren is the present BKFC World Mild Heavyweight Champion. He has received seven of his 9 bare-knuckle fights in McGregor’s promotion.
