Fight Prep: Cody Williams Overcoming Challenges

By Mike Calimbas, Editor

ATT Beaumont’s “Wolverine” takes on D’Angelo de Souza Vieira this  Friday at Pride of the Valley 2

When it comes to Texas MMA’ers, you won’t find many fighters as exciting as one Cody “Wolverine” Williams. The 28 year old from the Beaumont area (SETX) started his pro career like a ball of fire back in April 2011 and has gone on to be a part of some of the state’s most exciting fights ever since. Most notably, Cody has fought for Legacy Fighting Championship six times against some very tough opposition and he’s always brought it, win or lose.

Now as a fighter with that “Come back with your shield – or on it” mentality, this ATT Spartan has chosen the harder road for himself career-wise – taking on tough fights early and often as opposed to taking a more measured approach and “padding his record” with easy wins in the minor leagues. That kind of stuff just isn’t engrained in his personality and probably never will. As a martial artist first and foremost it’s the tough challenge he’s always after. He wants to earn his position and he’s willing to scratch, kick, and claw every step of the way to get it.

Such is the case with his last fight and everything leading up to it:

“It has just been such a tough year with fights falling through and promoters breaking promises because there is no legally-binding contract that holds the promoters responsible for anything if your fight doesn’t hold – even if it’s the week of. To be direct, to Gil Guillory from USA-MMA (see: Fightville) – even if it’s the week of – let me be a little more direct,*** Gil Guillory from USA-MMA, also had the tv series FIGHTVILLE – you owe me money and keep saying you are “broke” and that you’ll have to get a loan to pay me? Man ain’t nobody got time fa dat!

In my last fight against David Armas (IXFA 9), I knew he was a tough guy and his defense was battle tested. He was having trouble gaining weight for a 155 lbs. fight so they asked if i wanted to fight him on two weeks’ notice and i took it. I was broke for the training camp, no supplements, no diet plan… I’m thankful that I felt awesome in the cage that night – almost like I was two steps ahead and I got the win. After that we dissected the film and forget all about the W…You have to do it like that to stay hungry. I just have to keep going.”

And moving ahead he is. Cody returns to the cage this Friday night at Pride of the Valley 2 in Pharr, TX against his latest challenge, BJJ black belt D’Angelo de Souza Vieira.

“He (D’Angelo) has a tall order in from of him. My wrestling and jiu-jitsu have gotten better and better each time out and having basically the first half of this year to concentrate on it has given me more and more ways to win. D’Angelo is no cupcake at 5-5 and he has a black belt in BJJ but everyone in the state knows I bring it every time. Injury-free is always a great thing to have going into a fight too. I’ve gone back to the training regimen I used for my pro debut against Gerzan Chaw so mentally I know this works already. Now I just have to execute.”

Did we mention he has to do this on Saturday with his baby girl imminently on the way? Talk about having to focus.

“I was really hoping to get to meet her before I fly out on Wednesday but it looks as though it will be after I return. This fight is important for my family and that’s who I’m fighting for. I want the contract JC Promotions is putting up for 50K and I have to win this fight to get it. If I don’t then it’s back to the plants in SETX to support my family and that’s not the goal. I’m looking to continue to build my career as one of the most exciting talents to step into any cage. I want to continue to learn and evolve as a martial artist and Gods’ plan will unfold leading me to the pinnacle of my career – I see big fights in front of big crowds before its said and done. We’re only getting started so get your popcorn ready.”

Fighter Acknowledgements

TXMMA.com – Thank you – your support and dedication to the sport has shined light on so many fighters over the years I’ve been around and it’s always a pleasure to do these interviews or catch you guys out and about at the events. There is a lot to come from the Wolverine so follow me on instagram and twitter @CWilliamsATT and good luck Daniel Pineda and Andrew Craig on their upcoming UFC fights. – Cody Williams