True to form, Josh Kwiatkowski is gearing up for yet another bruising clash.
Alberta-born Josh Kwiatkowski (5-5) steps into a featherweight bout against Quebec City's Maxime Soucy (2-1) with confidence running high. It's a prime opportunity to back up his fearsome nickname at BFL 73 on Thursday evening in Vancouver, B.C.
"Yeah, I don't really know how to take a backwards step," Kwiatkowski told MMA Empire.
"I'm just going to go in there and I just feel so good I see him crumbling in front of me. I see him against the cage in that Rockhold position. He's either going to be laying against the cage or looking up at the lights. However the fight gods see it is how it'll happen, but I just see me crumbling Max this weekend."
Taking losses in his previous three contests, the 28-year-old Kwiatkowski wants to turn things around this weekend.
Regardless of outcome, he believes every battle teaches something.
"Each fight was its own lesson," Kwiatkowski elaborated.
"I think the Rohovich fight was the most valuable lesson; never ever take your foot off the gas pedal and realize the fight is never over until the clock runs out and your hand is raised. It's a lesson that will stick with me for the rest of my career."
Trainer-wise, Soucy comes out of the storied Tristar gym, meaning Kwiatkowski is bracing for a complete fighter with a particular focus on stand-up exchanges.
When the action gets heavy, strategy matters most to Kwiatkowski.
"I really do try to focus on myself. But the beautiful thing with fighting is that every single person has a different style you need to game plan for," Kwiatkowski noted.
"If you're not game planning in your pro career then I think you're doing yourself an injustice because when the hard points of the fight come you can resort back to it. The thing about Tristar Montreal fighters is they all move well and they have great footwork. You gotta prepare to cut off the cage and make them pay. This fight is no different."
Only three of his pro bouts have gone the distance, and Kwiatkowski keeps pressing forward, hunting for highlight-reel moments.
He anticipates overwhelming Soucy with his stamina, distinctive approach, and sheer ferocity on fight night.
"I know he's a high-level striker and I'm sure he'll have some slick submissions, but I like my game against his," Kwiatkowski said.
"I feel I have a few more tools in my pocket and more god-given intangibles with my body and my toughness and grit that I don't think he'll be able to withstand. When I'm in there I'm just trying to hurt them and break them until I find an opening. I don't think Maxime has ever fought anybody as determined to hurt somebody as I am. I'm the most violent and dangerous guy he's faced in his career."
Following a lengthy amateur run before turning pro in 2018, Kwiatkowski's career has been a mix of peaks and valleys.
Above all, he's focused on incremental gains as he ascends the standings and delivers thrilling bouts for spectators.
"It's kind of like the whole 10,000 hours theory. I've been grinding since I was 15 or 16 and this last year it's really been clicking," Kwiatkowski shared.
"It's an accumulation of hard work starting to pay off. Even in my last fight, I didn't get the win but I think it's the best performance I've had so far, the best showing of my skill set. And the cool thing about that is the best is yet to come this weekend."
Kwiatkowski's shoutouts
"Everyone at MMA Empire, New Edge Alliance, Ascension Martial Arts, Pinnacle Martial Arts, WKX team and all my coaches." Follow Kwiatkowski on social media: FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM
