Nathan Cook Vows To Stamp His Mark In Heavyweight Kickboxing At SENSHI 32

British heavyweight striker Nathan Cook refuses to let the occasion overcome him when he makes his SENSHI debut this weekend on Saturday, 11th July.

Cook meets Albanian-Italian hitter Françesko Xhaja in a -95kg superfight at SENSHI 32 in Varna.

Having competed on some of the biggest stages in the all-striking realm, it takes a lot to surprise Cook. That said, SENSHI is a promotion he’s been curious about throughout its rise in Europe.

The UK combat sports scene is well known for its gritty fight venues. From school sports halls to community centres, it’s far from a glamorous route to the top. Having experienced much of it along the way, the heavy-hitting Brit's promotional debut will take place on Varna’s MORE Beach.

It’s a far cry from his usual trips to sandy shores, but Cook is intrigued to swap the sandals for boxing gloves.

“It’s simply that it’s cool! Part of fighting for me was to just make the most of what started out as a hobby, and things like fighting on a beach is going to be a cool thing to be able to look back on. It’s definitely unique, not the most unique for me as I’m always going to have less expected memories of fighting at some venues at amateur level in the UK,” he remarked.

“Like fighting in dirty backrooms of leisure centres and having to warm up in toilets with other fighters crammed in. My thoughts of fighting were more glitz than glamour, so a beach is what I like the thought of.”

Cook, only the fifth Brit to compete in SENSHI, enters this new chapter in solid form. Earlier this year, "The Axe" earned a milestone victory when he blitzed Stewart Graham with a flying knee at MTGP Fight Night 92 to become the MTGP British Champion.

The highlight-reel win put him back on course following a disappointing venture to GLORY, where he suffered consecutive defeats. However, he sees this weekend’s clash with ONE Championship veteran Xhaja as an acid test. Now that he has shared the ring with some of the world’s best strikers, he has no fear of facing another decorated opponent.

“My world title win earlier this year has been a good boost getting back into the winning column,” he said. “But it’s fights like this where I feel I am testing myself against the upper calibres in the K-1 world. Ultimately that’s where my pursuits are focussed more.

“To me I would say my two opponents on GLORY were the toughest of my career. Nabil [Khachab] and Anis [Bouzid] are both now regulars there. I fought them both at my worst time in life and body. So where my opponents have fought and the level no longer intimidates me.”

SENSHI 32 takes place this Saturday, 11th July, and can be watched live and free by UK fans from 5:30pm on the promotion's YouTube channel.