Veteran heavyweight Cody East heads to Houston Friday for Fury Fighting Championship 116, and he’s clear about his goal: get back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.“I’ll keep beating all their prospects until they let me back in,” East said.The 37-year-old fought in the UFC in 2016 and said he still believes he belongs on that stage. His 25-year-old opponent this weekend, Joel Faglier, is seen as a rising prospect — someone the UFC has on its radar. But East isn’t worried about helping anyone else climb the ladder.“I want to be the world champion,” he said. “I don’t have to fight. I have a good career, a good job. But I don’t want to look back when I’m 50-some years old and wonder what if I had bet on myself to go all the way.”Timing is everything, even in mixed martial arts. Just like punches, kicks and grappling, timing can make or break a fight. That’s why East focused on patience during camp.“If there’s one weakness I have, it’s going for the kill too early,” the Jackson Wink product said. “So being patient, picking my shots, and enjoying the whole process of the fight.”And for East, there’s a sense of liberty in stepping into the cage.“It’s hard to explain,” he said. “When you’re in there, you truly get to be in your prime. I love it — it’s freedom.”And what’s freedom without salvation? A win Friday could help his own UFC aspirations.“Eventually, you have to sign me, right? If not, I’ll just keep beating people,” he said.East’s drive is also rooted in his home.“I’m trying to put New Mexico on the map,” he said. “I was born and raised here, and I want to show the world what we can do.”East will take the cage on Friday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. in Houston, Texas. The bout can also be viewed on UFC Fight Pass.
Veteran heavyweight Cody East heads to Houston Friday for Fury Fighting Championship 116, and he’s clear about his goal: get back to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
“I’ll keep beating all their prospects until they let me back in,” East said.
The 37-year-old fought in the UFC in 2016 and said he still believes he belongs on that stage. His 25-year-old opponent this weekend, Joel Faglier, is seen as a rising prospect — someone the UFC has on its radar. But East isn’t worried about helping anyone else climb the ladder.
“I want to be the world champion,” he said. “I don’t have to fight. I have a good career, a good job. But I don’t want to look back when I’m 50-some years old and wonder what if I had bet on myself to go all the way.”
Timing is everything, even in mixed martial arts. Just like punches, kicks and grappling, timing can make or break a fight. That’s why East focused on patience during camp.
“If there’s one weakness I have, it’s going for the kill too early,” the Jackson Wink product said. “So being patient, picking my shots, and enjoying the whole process of the fight.”
And for East, there’s a sense of liberty in stepping into the cage.
“It’s hard to explain,” he said. “When you’re in there, you truly get to be in your prime. I love it — it’s freedom.”
And what’s freedom without salvation? A win Friday could help his own UFC aspirations.
“Eventually, you have to sign me, right? If not, I’ll just keep beating people,” he said.
East’s drive is also rooted in his home.
“I’m trying to put New Mexico on the map,” he said. “I was born and raised here, and I want to show the world what we can do.”
East will take the cage on Friday, Feb. 20, at 8 p.m. in Houston, Texas. The bout can also be viewed on UFC Fight Pass.
