Post Fight Interview: Danny 'Hot Chocolate' Roberts on Cage Warriors 54 Win

Post Fight Interview: Danny Roberts on Cage Warriors 54 Win
By Chris Houten - @kingdomMMAChris 

Fresh off a big win at Cage Warriors 54 in Cardiff, we I caught up with Danny 'Hot Chocolate' Roberts who extended his record 8-1 including 3 massive finishes under the Cage Warriors banner.
We discussed everything from His Grandad to his opponent Gonzalez, to Twitter, to title shots.

Chris: On Saturday your grandfather, who is recovering from cancer attended your fight. How much did it mean to have your grandfather there, and did it give you extra motivation to perform?
Roberts: Having my grandad there to show support and watch me fight on Saturday meant so much for me. He's always followed my fighting career and did since I was 16. He backed me, and took me to boxing matches around the country and has always been proud of me. We sit down and have conversations about the fights I have he studies my fighters and always tells me what he thinks. He's very passionate about what I do. So when he got diagnosed with cancer it was just after my fight with Jack mason, my head wasn't on the fight game and I found it hard to train. then i heard cage warriors had a show on in Cardiff, so i knew i had something to work towards. Then as i was starting my fight camp i had a surprise from my grandad to say he had beat cancer. I wanted to put on a show for him being in a local city to him! its the first mma show hes seen me on and i was happy it was a big show like cage warriors in a major city like Cardiff.
I thought you looked great on Saturday against a really game Gonzalez, how happy with your performance?

I was very happy with the performance and the way the fight went I think it showed the level I'm at and skill set against a tough opponent. It meant alot to me to win that fight and to win the way I did has put me on a high.

What did you think of Gonzalez game plan and the way he fought on Saturday, was it everything your were expecting?
I can tell Gonzalez had a bit of a game plan but I think it went out the window pretty quick. There was times I could tell he was trying to do what he planed to do and successful but the drills and game planing we did in Next Generation for this fight worked perfect for the times he got me in bad positions I felt comfortable so could work well to what we planed apart from that the bits in between I knew I needed to hurt him, big, fast heavy hands.

Watching the fight back, can you see any areas you feel you need to improve on?
I've not managed to watch the fight back yet but I do know how I felt in that fight. I know I'm developing and I've only been doing this three and a half years. I'm looking forward to the future. I want to improve every aspect of my game all the time just get better at everything lol

You didn't look like you took much damage against Gonzalez, when are you hoping to fight again?
The fight worked well stylistically I knew there wasn't going to be any real threat on the feet. It was my place to be that whole fight. Didn't take any damage which I'm always happy about, nothing worse then going home all beat up. It won't be to long before I'm back out for cage warriors.

Has there been any mention about possibly fighting on Cage Warriors 57 in Liverpool, where you are now based?
The Liverpool Echo show. Now that would be a show to fight on for anyone. Liverpool based or not scousers love they're Mma and Boxing. Bringing cage warriors to Liverpool I think is a big thing it gives the local lads who deserve to get seen on the big stage shine and the fans something they won't forget for a long time. I'm back the gym and training now "week off and back in" it's not long till the Echo Arena show so would like to think, a good fight camp and no doubt cage warriors will have me a speck on the cards. give my supporters and Mma fans a good show.

Have you put any thought into a possible next opponent at all?
No not really. I haven't had a think I'm not one to look at who I want to fight and weigh in people up. I believe that I can get there,  just keep working hard and when names and fights come up...ill make sure I'm ready.

You have 3 big wins now under the cage warriors banner, all finishes. How far of a welterweight title shot do you think you are at this point?
Yea it feels amazing to be on a top show like cage warriors fighting the best in the UK and Europe I'm getting the fights I need to test me, and to be 3-0 against top level guys is a good feeling. As for a title shot i don't think there's any need to ask cage warriors. It will come sooner or later.

Speaking of welterweight title fights, there is a big fight coming up next month in Pendred vs Mills, how do you see that one playing out?
The fight between Mills and Pendred will be a good fight. Mills good stand up and accurate striking where as Pendred  possesses the better grappling, he's more intense and will smother Mills work. Think Mills will start of strong but I can see Pendred capitalising with the pace and grappling taking it to a decision win for Pendred.

Cage Warriors 54 will be the first fight you have had since the introduction of Safe MMA, how did you find the program in the build up to the fight?
The safe Mma was probably the best thing to happen to Mma as of yet! It should be introduced to the whole country no matter how big or small a show is. Nice to know you and your opponent are safe and healthy in every way possible.

I Believe you also picked up a twitter bonus after the fight that must be nice right?
Haha the twitter bonus. Yes a big reward to win. Very generous of cage warriors for giving fighters the chance to win bonuses. To know I've got a massive following on a social media basis is a very nice feeling the amount of Facebook messages, texts, phone calls and tweets is amazing. It's a big reflection on a fighter and to who they are. The messages i get are always motivational so many people take there time to send me there good luck wishes it spurs me on and gets me pumped to fight, and I am always grateful for that.

And finally Danny is there anyone you would like to thank?
As always I would like to thank my hard working team and all the boys down at Next Generation Liverpool. My coaches Danny Witho, Carl Ryan, Dean Garnett and my top strength and conditioning coach Chris Tamm at No limits Liverpool. My sponsors fuel shakes, Kinetica sports and Les Oulton at live wire dynamic for giving me the chance to train full time. Big thank you to Paul Rimmer my head coach and mentor. Thank you.