Westin Wilson // Photo by UFC
Westin Wilson, a rising star in the UFC's featherweight division, recently sat down for an insightful interview with RG, revealing the mental transformation that led to his first UFC victory and his plans for the future. The fighter's candid discussion sheds light on his unique approach to the sport, his training with UFC veteran Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, and his aspirations for upcoming bouts.
Shift in Mental Approach
Wilson's journey in the UFC has been marked by a significant shift in his mental approach. After two initial fights in the promotion, Wilson found success in his third outing, securing a submission victory against a highly touted opponent. The key to this turnaround? A surprisingly relaxed attitude towards the outcome.
"I didn't care if I won, lost. It didn't matter. I didn't care if that was going to be my last fight in UFC. I was perfectly content saying, if I lose that fight, I'm retiring," Wilson revealed.
This mindset, far from being defeatist, actually liberated him from the pressure that had potentially hindered his previous performances.
The fighter elaborated on this mental shift: "Two things can be true at once. Like I want to win, but also I don't care what happens. And so I think having that mindset and that shift in mindset makes me more dangerous in the cage. It makes me more fluid and just in my own zone because I'm no longer putting stress on myself that I've done in the past."
Collaboration With Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson
One of the most intriguing aspects of Wilson's career is his training with Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, a veteran of the sport known for his striking prowess. Wilson spoke enthusiastically about their collaboration:
"We had a blast that fight camp, like he and I, we worked on a lot of different things. You know, we got to do, I was able to help him with some grappling aspects of the fight and, striking wise as well."
The synergy between the two fighters seems to be a key factor in Wilson's development. "It's cool having a teammate like that who understands like my style, understands my flow and vice versa. Cause we're able to just bit ball and build off of each other," he explained.
Expanding Skill Set and Potential Opponents
Wilson's time away from the octagon since his June victory hasn't been idle. He's been actively working on expanding his skill set and developing new techniques. "I've been working on a ton of new things. I've got some new little tricks that I've,that are really clicking in the gym right now," he shared.
The fighter's approach to training is methodical and goal-oriented. "I go to the gym every day with a notebook, and I write notes, and I have goals of what I want to do, what I want to try," Wilson said. This dedication to improvement suggests that fans can expect to see an even more refined version of Wilson in his next outing.
When discussing potential future opponents, Wilson expressed interest in matchups that would allow him to showcase different aspects of his game.
"I preferably like to fight a grappler so I can show a different skill set than I've shown in my other fights," he stated.
Wilson mentioned several names as potential opponents, including Erik Silva, AJ Cunningham, and even veteran grappler Ryan Hall. His strategic thinking was evident as he explained, "I want a guy... I would love a guy who's got a little bit more of a grappling focus so I can showcase a little bit more of my striking. And then if we do go to the ground, it'd be more of a high-level ground fight."
Global Connections and Future Plans
Interestingly, Wilson's UFC journey has exposed him to a global fanbase, including interactions with fans from Indonesia and Brazil. He recounted a surprising experience after his last fight: "I was getting a ton of like Indonesian, you know, fans sending me like skull and crossbones and then the Indonesian flag and all that. And it just cracked me up. And then after the fight, I got a bunch of messages. And so I put them in translators and, It was like, oh, good fight, man. Like, no hate."
His connection to Brazil, where he started his MMA journey, has led to some amusing interactions with Brazilian fans. Wilson shared, "It's funny. I always crack up when the Brazilians will send me stuff. And they'll send me in Portuguese. Like, I don't know the language. And, like, I know exactly, like, what they're saying to me."
As for his next appearance in the octagon, Wilson is eyeing early 2025.
"2025, I wouldn't mind February. I think they're going back to Seattle, they're not going back, they're going to Seattle, I think, February 22nd is one of the dates," he mentioned. The fighter also expressed interest in potentially sharing a card with his training partner, Wonderboy Thompson.
As Westin Wilson continues to evolve both mentally and physically, the UFC featherweight division has been put on notice. With his newfound mental clarity, diverse skill set, and strategic approach to matchmaking, Wilson is poised to make significant waves in the promotion. Fans can look forward to seeing a more relaxed, yet paradoxically more dangerous, Westin Wilson in the octagon in the near future.
Garrett Kerman is an American sports writer specializing in MMA, boxing, and betting news. He has established himself as a prominent voice in combat sports journalism, providing expert analysis and breaking news. Kerman has covered major events and conducted interviews with notable figures in the industry, showcasing his extensive knowledge and passion for the sport. His insights are widely sought after by fans and bettors alike.
