Whereas by most accounts light-weight Archie Colgan had a busy 2022 with three bouts, he may have truly been busier.
Upon struggling an damage early within the 12 months, Colgan needed to miss just a few months earlier than lastly be capable of return, however nonetheless managed to choose up victories in all three of his bouts and run his career-starting successful streak to 6 in a row.
“2022 was nice,” Colgan advised MMAWeekly.com. “I acquired in a bout with Eagle FC, broke my hand in that bout, and I nonetheless managed to get three fights in final 12 months, which is fairly energetic amongst MMA fighters.
“I acquired in three fights, and I consider I might have had three finishes had I not broke my hand in that one bout, however three fights with two finishes is a reasonably good 12 months for me.”
Whereas Colgan hasn’t modified loads in his recreation since turning professional in 2021, he positively sees enchancment every day in coaching.
“Clearly I’m the identical athlete and stuff like that; identical shell and identical physique; however I’ve had one other 12 months of progress,” mentioned Colgan. “I’ve solely been a professional for 2 years, like I haven’t been doing this very lengthy, so day-after-day is a bit step for me.
“I’m getting higher and getting extra expertise. I’m so significantly better than I used to be final 12 months and the 12 months earlier than that.”
On March 31 in Temecula, California, Colgan (6-0) takes on Justin Montalvo (5-0) in a conflict of undefeated fighters in a preliminary 155-pound bout at Bellator 293.
“He’s an excellent fighter, and that’s why I needed this bout, I needed this struggle to show that I’m that significantly better than he’s,” Colgan mentioned of dealing with Montalvo.
“He’s an excellent striker who likes to assault the physique, which works for him. I feel I actually simply need to be me. He doesn’t have nice takedown protection towards a really excessive degree wrestler. He permits himself to get hit towards a robust explosive man. I similar to my type, my match-up towards this man.”
Whereas Colgan takes issues every day, he does have a transparent thought of how he’d prefer to see his 2023 play out and the way it may assist arrange for his bigger targets within the coming years.
“I’m younger within the recreation and I’m nonetheless attempting to be taught all that and determine all that out till I discover my groove,” mentioned Colgan. “I’d prefer to say it’s a mixture of each. I prefer to take it each day, however it’s important to have some form of long-term enterprise thoughts if you wish to be world champion.
“Earlier than I flip 30 years outdated I wish to be Bellator champion. I’m 27 proper now, will likely be 28 in July, so I’ve acquired a pair years to get to work on that. I do consider it’s doable. I really feel this 12 months I can knock out one other three wins, crack into that High 10, after which we’ll see what occurs in 2024.”
