Interview: Benny Alloway "Always happy to have an Opportunity to KO an Englishman"

Kingdom MMA talks to Benny Alloway ahead of his Fight with Jack Mason
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

Photo: Dolly Clew | Cage Warriors

On Saturday night Australian welterweight Benny Alloway returns to Cage Warriors to fight Jack Mason in a bout that could have significant impact on the Cage Warriors welterweight division. A contestant on TUF Smashes, 3 fight UFC vet Alloway signed an exclusive 5 fight deal with Cage Warriors in November, and as a international recognised name, and one of the most skilled welterweight on the Cage Warriors roster, an impressive win over the surging Mason who is 6-1 in his last 7 fights could be all the Gold Cost fighter needs to earn a shot at the Cage Warriors title.

Kingdom MMA caught up with Alloway earlier this week to discuss why he signed for Cage Warriors, finishing Jack Mason, and who stands in his way on route to the title.

Houten: You will be traveling great distances to fight for Cage Warriors, what made to chose the promotion over other interested parties after you moved on from the UFC?
Alloway: Cage Warriors in my eyes is the number 2 promotion in the world.  They are as professional as the UFC as in every aspect of the promotion.  The UFC watches what goes on in the Cage Warriors ranks and that's a good thing for my new long term goal.

The general consensus amongst fans and media is that you're a better fighter than what we see during your time with the UFC, why do think we didn't get to see your best?
Straight up I blew my ankle out just before the La Flare fight and my hamstring 10 days before I fought in Indianapolis,  it was very unprofessional of me to think I could compete at this level with injuries and I paid for it by losing my job.

Its been about 5 months since your release from the UFC, what have you been up over the last few months?
The last five months have been great, [I've been] spending time with my new son and my wife on the Gold Coast.  I started a job on the opposite side of the country just before Xmas in civil construction which is putting great money in my bank and allowing to still train twice a days.  I took from my last fight until mid January off to let my body heal properly.

You will be fighting Jack Mason on March 1st, happy to back in the cage fighting an Englishman? 
Always happy to have an opportunity to KO an Englishman haha, just happy to be back in there. He has a tremendous amount of experience in his fights that is literally more than I will probably ever have. [He] has been fighting since before I knew what MMA was so definitely a worthy opponent. I look forward to solving the problem of the stone mason.

How familiar are you with Mason? Have you spent much time studying him?
I've changed the way I do things and now I'm training to fight, ill be in shape, ill have all my skills sharpened and ill adjust to whatever he tries to do on the night and look for the finish.  Everyone knows I'm looking to stand and fight and see who is tougher.  Lets hope he wants to put on a show for you all indulges me a little.

What do you think Mason does well and where do you think he is weak?
He is very good at smothering people and seems to get the takedown even if he has to bulldog it a little. He hasn't finished any - in my opinion, elite fighters and has decisions over lower level guys.  I think his striking and movement is his weakest part.

Mason has 14 submissions victories to his name, how do you feel about going to the ground with him?
The 3 times I've been finished I have been submitted so it must be where he thinks he has the best chance to win.  He hasn't submitted any world class or elite guys and I'm comfortable where ever the fight goes. Yes I got caught in my last fight but I can win a fight from any position.

How has your camp gone for this fight, and where have you done your camp? At home on the Gold Coast?
I've done [my] camp for this fight in Western Australia which is the opposite side of the country to where I'm from. I've had great training in every aspect so I feel that we completed camp well and I'm happy. 

Pendred announced this week that he was vacating the welterweight title, how many wins away do you feel you are from a title shot? Do you think a big win over Mason could make you next in line to fight the winner of Sergei Churilov vs. Nicolas Dalby?
Always hard to say how many wins, a quiet mouth never gets fed right?  After I finish Mason in Dublin I don't know we will see what happens.

The 170lb division is one of the most talent rich division Cage Warriors has, how much do you know about the other guys that will be fighting it out for the title along side you this year such as Danny Roberts, Simeon Thoresen, Matt Inman, Gael Grimaud etc.
Don't know many. I know Danny is a beast, Gael - X champ, Pendred - about to be in the UFC and my buddy Bruno, I know Gael Ko'd him ....... redemption?

Who would you say is your biggest threat on route to the title?
Going to decision with Mason takes me out off the elite category and will slow things down.

Finally Benny how do you see yourself winning your fight with Mason on Saturday?
By submission !

Cage Warriors 65 takes place March 1st, at the Helix in Dublin, Ireland. Tickets are on sale now HERE