Fighter Focus: Getting to Know Cole “The Edge” Williams

Fighter Focus: Getting to Know Cole “The Edge” Williams
 
MCC newcomer, Cole Williams, will make his promotional debut at MCC 28: “Impact” when he takes on UFC veteran, James Giboo.  Two wrestlers turned mixed martial artists will go head to head, both with the same goal in mind; keep racking up wins and make it to the big show.  We caught up with Williams as he was deep into his training camp with four short weeks to prepare for his bout.
 
MCC: Cole, welcome to MCC.  Tell the fight fans about yourself and your background.
 
CW:  I am six feet tall and compete in the welterweight division.  I grew up in Darien, Wisconsin and I live in Dubuque, Iowa now.  I have a wrestling background which includes over one hundred collegiate wins.  I was ranked third in the nation, defeated national champions and all Americans including several from the Iowa team.  I’ve been wrestling since I was four and wrestled throughout college.  After I finished school I still desired a competition to fill my void so I began training Jiu-Jitsu and muay Thai. I’ve been training in MMA for about four years now.
 
MCC:  Wow, you sound like a mirror image of your opponent.  So, with a tough fight ahead of you with another wrestler, how do you think that will play out in this fight?
 
CW:  He is suppose to be a solid wrestler.  That’s good!  I want to fight someone that has a solid wrestling base. It will be a great chance for me to show what I’ve been working on for so long now.  This is a fight I will not lose. I will make it to the UFC.  I know I am the underdog in this fight, and that’s the way I like it. He will quickly realize he wont be able to roll over me with a take down.  He better come in shape because I will not quit.
 
MCC:  How is your training going for this fight?
 
CW:  It’s going great!  I have so many good training partners, I feel like I get better every day.  I have been training with world muay Thai champion, Dean Lesse in Dubuque, I also spend time with Team Hard Drive in Cedar Rapids, training with WEC fighter, Erik Koch.  These guys have a lot of great things going on down there.  I am training like a mad man because I want this victory not only to come easy, but I want to do so in a fashion that will really open peoples eyes and let them know I am for real.  This match could be my break out fight, and I want to take full advantage of that.
 
MCC:  So, you have been competing most of your life.  The transition to MMA- was this easy for you?  Is this something you had always wanted to do?
 
CW:  Actually, my first fight was at a bar where I was going just to watch the fights.  They were charging to get in and I was broke.  They told me if I fought I would get in for free, so that was pretty much my only option.  I strapped on the gloves and won my fight in twenty four seconds.  After that, I began going there every week to fight.  I was getting experience and wanted to take bigger fights.  That opportunity came up when my team mate broke his hand, and I stepped in for him and fought Damien Papagni, one of the toughest guys I know.  I beat him and that’s when things took off.
 
MCC:  And now another big opportunity to fight a tough guy who happens to be a UFC vet?
 
CW:  Exactly.  I love to challenge myself physically and push myself to the limits. I have never given up in anything where I was challenged physically and mentally. Like I said, I plan on going to the UFC and making a name for myself. With a victory over someone who has been in the UFC, it will take me one step closer to reaching my goals.
 
MCC:  Thanks for your time, Cole.  We look forward to watching you compete on August 6.  Is there anyone you would like the thank/
 
CW:  First, I would like to thank MCC for giving me a great opportunity.  I would also like to thank my two biggest supporters; my dad and my best friend Nick who is in the United States Marines. They both encourage me to train and follow my dreams.  For everyone else, I will see you at MCC 28.