George Staines Targets Statement Victory Ahead of Cage Warriors 207

It’s fight week for George Staines as he aims to extend his undefeated record on the main card of Cage Warriors 207.

Speaking to Combat Evolved, Staines (9-0) shared his positive thoughts on training camp ahead of his upcoming lightweight clash.

He said: “Every camp is getting better.

“The gym evolves, everything becomes more professional, more dialled in, and we all get to know each other a lot more.”

His Next Generation MMA Liverpool teammates Adam Cullen and Nathan Fletcher are also involved on the same card.

The Hull mixed martial artist spoke about how training alongside his teammates for the same event can be beneficial when preparing for a fight.

He stated: “It’s a belter because we’re prepared together, we’re doing the hard rounds together, we’re all cutting together, there’s a lot of unison that goes on.

“It definitely helps build on the morale and it makes you push on a lot harder.”

Staines also revealed that he gains extra motivation from training alongside UFC athletes Paddy Pimblett and Luke Riley as they prepare for their own upcoming contests at UFC 329.

“Even like Paddy and Luke who are obviously on three weeks after us, [we’re] pretty much sharing a camp and that just helps push everyone even more,” he added.

The 25-year-old will be making his fourth appearance under the Cage Warriors banner after a successful six-fight stint with OKTAGON.

After spending the last nine months with Cage Warriors, Staines says the increased activity has accelerated his development as a fighter.

He said: “I’m very much liking the increase of activity with the cage, wearing the yellow gloves.

“It’s making me a better fighter and it’s making me adapt a lot quicker.

“I think everyone noticed the striking has got significantly better because I could never really keep it on the feet, I wasn’t very good at it, whereas now I like actually standing.”

Staines takes on fellow undefeated prospect Conor McCarthy at Cage Warriors 207.

The Irishman earned a first-round TKO victory over Edilson Silva at Cage Warriors 200 in February and enters the contest with a perfect professional record of his own.

Despite McCarthy’s impressive credentials, Staines remains confident of delivering another dominant performance.

Staines said: “Again, entertainment. Keeping it on the feet, lighting him up with my boxing.

“If he shoots, then I’ll wrap up a choke, if he doesn’t, I’ll get the TKO finish.”

With an eye on moving to 10-0, the unbeaten lightweight knows exactly what he wants next if he leaves Manchester victorious.

“UFC or a title. Contender Series and UFC are the same thing for me,” he added.

“Either of them two it has to be because I’m pretty much undeniable now.”

A victory at Cage Warriors 207 could move Staines one step closer to a title opportunity or a call-up to Dana White’s Contender Series.

‘Saint’ also had a message for MMA fans ahead of what could be a pivotal year in his career.

“The fans will win when they watch me, another entertaining performance,” he said.

“Come watch it in Manchester because it’s probably, hopefully going to be the last one in the UK for a while.”

Cage Warriors 207 takes place on Saturday at the BEC Arena in Manchester, with the unbeaten Staines looking to move to 10-0 when he opens the main card against fellow undefeated prospect Conor McCarthy.

Fans looking to attend the event and support Staines can purchase tickets through his personalised link here.