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ROSS MASON
Silently Confident
Photos ©Cage Rage
It’s just under two weeks before Ross Mason takes on Paul "Semtex" Daley for UK’s prestigious Cage Rage welterweight belt. At the time of this interview, Ross is sitting at home in Redditch, a small town outside of Birmingham, England. "I’m babysitting my daughter, then I’m going training," says the twenty-nine-year-old southpaw, who laughs when asked if that is what ultimate-fighter stars do in their spare time. A veteran of 12 MMA events, Mason’s initial inspiration for taking up a fighting system was Hollywood’s macho legend, Sly Stallone. "Because of the Rocky films, I went to a boxing club when I was very young, and loved it. Plus I came from quite a rough area and there was a lot of bullying going on there. I was always fascinated by boxing and I loved the competition." Today, Mason is a well-polished mixed martial artist: with Thai boxing, freestyle wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu added to his trick bag. However, Ross does lean towards the stand-up game. "I prefer striking because it’s more entertaining, although ground can be entertaining… I’m alright at grappling, but I do prefer the stand-up fight because I feel there’s more action." Ross was first carded to fight Eddie Ruiz at Cage Rage 17, but due to Paul Daley’s original opponent, Paul Jenkins, having to withdraw due to injury, Mason will now face Daley for the British welterweight title. "It’s a late change. Really, I would prefer to have a bit longer to prepare for Paul because he’s a top fighter, and we deserve to have a little longer to train for each other. But a fight’s a fight, and I’ve been training for a fight, so… It doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, that’s what I’ll be doing when I get in there. "I’ve had to change my training slightly, because I was doing more… Eddie Ruiz is an Abu Dhabi Champion, a very good wrestler, and a black belt in BJJ, so I was concentrating more on wrestling and takedown defences. But now I’m fighting Paul Daley. He’s more of a striker – a banger with stand-up skills as well as on the ground." But Mason admits he openly welcomes the opportunity to compete for the British welterweight title. "Last time I fought in Cage Rage, I wanted to fight for the British title, but they gave me the world title because it was vacant, and I fought Chris Lytle from America for the welterweight title (Cage Rage 15). But I lost by rear naked choke, three seconds before the end of the second round. It was a good, hard fight." Ross, do you expect Paul Daley will want to keep it standing? "I’m not sure. I think Paul might have been training for somebody else, as well (Paul Jenkins). At the moment Paul Daley is on fire: He just beat Dave Strasser from America, and he trains with American Top Team. There are no holes in his game, he’s a pretty solid guy, and he bangs as well. We’ll just have to wait until I get in there and see what happens on the night, and just blow with it, ’cause he is well rounded." Would you be happy to stand and bang with him? "I’m not really fussed. I’ll just fight him however it goes. I actually really like Paul, because he’s a sound geezer, and I get on with him when I see him. I’ve got nothing bad to say about him, but it’s a professional game, and he probably says the same about me. I’m expecting it to be a good stand-up war." You’ve come down a division. "Yeah, I fought in the 185 category, but I used to find I was little for a middleweight ’cause I used to fight at what I came in at for the weigh-in; 182. However, now you get the shows like in America where they put on 20 pounds overnight. Weight cutting is quite popular now on the day before the weigh-in. "So I’m very light for a middleweight, and that’s why I’m now fighting as a welterweight. This will be my fourth fight as a welterweight. I’m 5’11", and for me to go back up to middleweight, I’d probably have to train at around 200 pounds. I think my cardio is better and I move better at welterweight." How’s your preparation for Cage Rage 17 going? "I’m doing the usual stuff – training with F’s Freestyle, Gracie Barra, a bit of wrestling… I’d like to go over to America. I’m trying to get another sponsor so I can spread my wings a bit. I went to Thailand at the beginning of the year for a couple of weeks’ training. It was good, but I didn’t have anyone to talk to. There weren’t too many people speaking English over there, so I was on my own." Ross, is there anything you’d like to add? "Thanks to my family and friends for all their support. I’m looking forward to my title fight, and hopefully I can take the belt because I’ve wanted it for a long time, and I believe I deserve a shot. I think Paul Daley and I will put on an awesome fight, and a lot of people are looking forward to it. I know I am, and I’m silently confident. "I thank Paul Jenkins for giving up the title. He’s actually the champion, but he injured his hand, and he gave the title up for us to fight for. Later, he will fight the winner." Your sponsors? "Hydro Power, Fitness Unlimited, WPT Gym, and F’s Fitness." Ross "The Boss" Mason’s stats MMA record: 8-4-0 Division: Welterweight Stance: Southpaw Height: 5’11 Dob: 8 Feb, 1977 Birthplace: Birmingham
For more on Cage Rage 17: www.cagerage.tv.
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