Nathaniel ‘Prospect’ Wood is a 19 year old bantamweight fighter, set to make his pro debut on the 9th of February on Fusion Fighting Championship. He fights out of Nova Forca and has a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu style, although he KO’s opponents more often than he submits them!
We caught up with the undefeated prospect to get to know a bit more about the young fighter looking to make a statement in the professional ranks. Check it out;
Hello Nathaniel, to start off with, how did you originally get into MMA?
“I first got into MMA through my dad, he trained BJJ at Nova Forca and we always watched UFC so I decided to give it a go and I’ve never looked back.”
Since being involved with MMA, how has your life changed?
“I would say it’s changed quite a bit, I’m always training hoping to better my future.”
Are you full time in MMA or do you train around a 9-5 job too?
“At the moment I’m full time in MMA as I’m unemployed, when there is building work around I’ll take it, but during fight camps I much prefer full time training.”
You’ve been successful in your ammy/semi pro fights, what would you put that down to?
“My team. I have the best coaches, my dad is my main coach and has helped me win every fight I’ve had.”
You obviously plan to continue the success at pro level, how is training going?
“Training is going great, constantly improving my whole game.”
You don’t have an opponent yet, but you seem to like the stand up game, is that how you plan to finish every fight, standing?
“I love to keep the fight standing, semi pro meant no headshots aloud (on the ground) so I couldn’t bear to go to the ground. Now that I am turning pro, my game will slightly change but I do not intend on putting on a boring fight.”
You have fought at Fusion a lot, why do you choose that show to compete on?
“My Jiu Jitsu coach, Ricardo Da Silva, is the promoter of the show so it’s quite easy for me to get matched up, it’s a great show to fight on however I am planning on getting on a couple of other shows.”
What are your aims within the sport?
“My main aim is to go all the way and to make a living from it, I love the sport and to be able to live from fighting/teaching would be a dream come true.”
Lastly, why do you fight and what motivates you to do it?
“I fight because I love the sport, training to be the best is what motivates me.”
Thanks for your time mate, any people to thank/shout out?
“I would like to thank my Dad – Gary Wood, the whole team at Nova Forca and the guys from Lionspride, also my strength and conditioning team – The Athletic Edge and lastly my sponsors Sutton Car Care.”
This young man is mustard, look out for him, an exciting prospect still in the making, he’s only going to get stronger and develop and hone his skills further, an exciting fighter with all the necessary attributes, speed technic and fighting intellect.
from what i’ve seen he certainly looks the part, cant wait to see hi9m prgress through his career, hope he gets a match so he can show everyone his talents (: