The Wild Thing is preparing for his first appearance inside the Unified MMA cage.
One of the main card's most talked-about matchups features Lethbridge Alta.'s Lucas Neufeld (6-1) stepping into the octagon with Edmonton, Alta.'s Neal Anderson (10-4) in featherweight competition at Unified MMA 43 on Friday night.
Neufeld has built a strong reputation across Canada while embracing his 'Wild Thing' moniker. The 28-year-old has compiled an impressive record while doing it in exciting fashion.
"In my last fight I made a conscious effort not to fall into a brawl. Not to reveal my tendencies or anything, but those are my natural instincts," Neufeld told MMA Empire.
"That's what fighting means to me. I struggle with being the type of guy who sits back and watches the action develop. I'm the guy who creates chaos. I'm the one pushing forward and giving the judges a break for the next few minutes."
Beyond his relentless pace and forward pressure, Neufeld is also recognized for discovering creative methods to damage his opponents.
Using a variety of spinning techniques and off-tempo strikes, Neufeld believes he's perfectly positioned to counter Anderson's methodical approach.
"I believe my unpredictable style is exactly what's going to be the weakness for Neal since he's Mr. Linear," Neufeld explained.
"He's the kind of fighter who throws a lot of straight punches, and I know I need to be mindful of those long strikes and that extended knee up the middle. He's a tall opponent overall, but I'm prepared."
While the wild style is part of what drives Neufeld's success, there's significant technical foundation behind those setup shots.
As he continues developing in the sport, Neufeld keeps expanding his arsenal, and if everything goes according to plan Friday night, it will represent the finest performance of his career so far.
"I'm experimenting with a few unusual strikes. I'm also focusing on tightening everything up and maintaining technical precision because overall it improves your odds," Neufeld noted.
"I know what to watch for, but ultimately it comes down to my style being as sharp and polished as possible, then whatever comes at me I'm ready for. If I step out there and execute what I've been drilling in camp, I win. I knock out Neal Anderson."
Looking at the matchup on paper, this represents the biggest challenge of Neufeld's career, though he feels fully prepared for it.
Following a dominant victory on a stacked card packed with Canadian champions and ex-UFC fighters, Neufeld has his eyes on either a Canadian belt or a specific Tuesday night opportunity.
"Hypothetically, after I win, I'd be 7-1. That's a strong professional record. There are certainly some impressive wins attached to it," Neufeld said.
"That definitely puts me in the conversation for a title at Unified or any other Canadian organization. But further down the road, come on—Dana White's Contender Series. That's the real target."
The bout also represents another clash between two of Alberta's premier facilities: Canadian Martial Arts Centre (CMC) and Shaved Bears MMA.
"These are two excellent gyms from Alberta and we always seem to cross paths because they produce tough competitors who don't back down, they make weight and show up ready to fight. We're no different," Neufeld stated.
"They're our opponents, but we have tremendous respect and admiration for them. It's thrilling to compete against someone from such a high-level gym. It matters to put yourself in those situations and prove you're superior."
Neufeld's shoutouts
"My gym, CMC MMA. My sponsor, OHMY Apparel. My wonderful wife and everyone who's been behind me — friends, family, and supporters." Connect with Neufeld on social media: INSTAGRAM
