Mateo Vogel, one of Canada’s top prospects in the bantamweight division, returns this weekend for his CFFC debut.
Vogel (4-1) will step into the CFFC cage on April 2 where he will square off with another bantamweight prospect in the United States’ Garrett Armfield (5-1) at CFFC 95.
Competing on UFC Fight Pass, Vogel looks to showcase his plethora of skills yet again, in what he hopes will be a much more busy 2021.
“Chance to compete for a lot of eyes is always a big deal,” Vogel told MMA Empire.
“Lot of important eyes, lot of people watching. This is the time to showcase everything I have, to wow everyone.”
Vogel is coming off of his lone appearance in a COVID-stricken 2020, a unanimous decision victory over Serhiy Sidey (4-1), the only decision victory of Vogel’s young career.
“You have to stay on point. Tests your gas tank, tests you as a fighter. I’ll always want the finish and always look for it, but I was glad I passed that test,” Vogel said.
“Shows more of how complete a fighter I am.”
The Canadian will meet Armfield across the cage come fight night. Armfield (5-1) has only one loss, to UFC’s Ronnie Lawrence, and has finished all of his wins.
Vogel also only has one loss, and has finished all but one of his victories. Armfield trains at Sanford MMA, home to Gilburt Burns, Randy Costa, Robbie Lawler and more UFC talent.
“He has a very exciting style. I have the higher fight IQ, I go in there expecting everything, I can take pressure or being tested. This is going to be a regular day for me,” Vogel continued.
“I feel ready for anything he brings, I can predict, but instead I visualize and ready myself to adapt on the spot.”
Between the two top prospects, the pair have eight finishes in nine total wins on the resume. Vogel being more of the ground savvy finisher, while Armfield loves to stand and throw shots on the feet.
Vogel isn’t worried about standing with the knockout artist or forcing this to the ground, but he will pick his shots.
“I don’t need to take it to the ground, I am confident on my feet. I am aiming to finish the fight, be spectacular on UFC Fight Pass, whichever way it comes,” Vogel said.
“I am confident wherever I take this fight. This is a chance to showcase that I am where I am supposed to be.”
The Ontario native is “itching” to get back into the cage. Prior to 2020, Vogel fought four times in a year and a half, and sitting on the sidelines isn’t fun for the competitor.
“I’ve been itching man. I don’t take time off, I hate doing it, I am so ready to be back in there. I want to compete, to compete at the top and I can’t do that not fighting,” Vogel continued.
“Anyone doing this sport that doesn’t want to compete is in this not wanting to be at the top needs to step back.”
When asked for a prediction for CFFC 95, the answer was simple:
“A finish in the first or second round, a definite finish, my hand raised.”
