London, Ont.’s Chris (The Polish Hammer) Horodecki is on a two-fight win streak with World Extreme Cagefighting since a loss in his debut with the promotion, which drops its curtain for the final time Thursday in Glendale, Arz., before being absorbed by the UFC.
The 23-year-old Horodecki (16-2) is coming off a big split decision win over contender Ed Ratcliff in September, but faces a big step up against the 12-3 three-time featherweight title challenger Donald (Cowboy) Cerrone, whose only career losses came in championship fights against Jamie Varner and Ben Henderson (twice).
Horodecki spoke to sportsnet.ca about his big opportunity and gave his thoughts on saying goodbye to the WEC.
sportsnet.ca: This is a huge fight against former No. 1 contender Donald Cerrone and could vault you right into title contention. Is it fair to say it’s the biggest fight of your career?
Chris Horodecki: This is definitely another step toward becoming a contender. He’s a name, especially in the WEC. Our fight got announced before the merger so I was originally thinking it would be a step toward the WEC belt, but now it’s a step toward the UFC belt. It’s a big fight but at this level, every fight’s going to be tough. No fight’s a cakewalk. It’s my chance to shine.
sportsnet.ca: What are your thoughts on the merger?
CH: It’s great. It offers credibility to the fighters from the WEC and also makes it clear to the fans that we’re one company. We knew it was going to happen, though it was a little sooner than I predicted. It lets fans know we’re part of the elite of mixed martial arts.
sportsnet.ca: How do you feel about fighting on the historic last-ever WEC card?
CH: It’s huge because more than anything this organization has the reputation for having the most exciting fights in MMA. Very rarely do people come out of a show unsatisfied. I don’t recall seeing a bad review of a WEC show since I’ve been there.
sportsnet.ca: What kind of fight do you expect against Cerrone?
CH: I think it’s going to live up to the hype. It should be really fast-paced.
sportsnet.ca: What will be your biggest challenge?
CH: He’s a tough guy to finish. I’ve got to be in his face the entire fight. I’m not going to quit.
sportsnet.ca: Do you feel extra pressure to put on a great performance with it being the last one?
CH: No, I don’t feel any extra pressure. I just do my work. I fochus on what I do. This is the last chapter of the blue Octagon, and I think it will go out with a bang.
sportsnet.ca: Lastly, what do you think of the UFC coming to Toronto on Apr. 30, 2011?
CH: It’s huge. It’s a long time coming. I’ve been involved in combat sports for the last 10 years. It’s honestly a dream come true, Toronto is just 1 1/2 hours away from my home. It’s finally a relief because not only do we know how big the sport is and the talent it produces, we finally get the home turf where we can show that Ontario has some of the best fighters in the world.
sportsnet.ca: And the fact that it will be at the Rogers Centre, if you’re able to get on that card?
CH: That would be awesome, I love fighting in front of big crowds. I love the rush of performing.
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Toronto’s Pierson passes up police force opportunity:
Toronto’s Sean Pierson, fresh off his big win over Matthew Riddle in his UFC debut Saturday in Montreal, recently received a conditional offer of employment to join the Toronto police force. However, he chose instead to pursue his UFC dream at the present time.
“I respect and admire the Toronto police force,” Pierson told sportsnet.ca. “Right now I had the opportunity for two careers to start and I’m choosing to chase my dream of being a UFC fighter.”
Pierson added that he hopes that two or three years from now he’ll have another chance to become a police officer and “be lucky to represent the community on the police force.”
Pierson will be at the Sportsnet studio Thursday so watch for him on Connected and MMA Connected Monday, where he discusses his fight, his decisions and his future.
NOTES: The UFC’s upcoming show in Toronto has been renumbered. Originally announced as UFC 131, it will now be UFC 129, but will still take place at the Rogers Centre on April 30.
