Chad Anheliger knows he will become the first Champ-Champ in Rise FC History
Chad Anheliger has a chance to make history on April 13.
The Flyweight Champion will move up to 135 Pounds to take on reigning defending bantamweight Champion Craig Maclean for the title, and the chance to be Rise FC’s first ever champ-champ. However, Anheliger isn’t thinking about that, instead, it was the exciting matchup that made him jump at the opportunity.
“You know, I don’t think about that part that much,” Anheliger began. “It is just another big fight for me against a quality opponent. The whole, getting two belts at once thing is just kind of a bonus. It made a lot of sense in a lot of ways as he is a good opponent and a good test for me. Getting another belt is just the icing on the cake but that wasn’t the lone reason why. I thought it was a good fight either way.”
Although Anheliger is a Champion in his own right at 125 Pounds, he will be moving back up in weight to the Bantamweight limit. One thing not on the mind of ‘The Monster” is carrying too much weight for his frame, as he previously fought at bantamweight and knows how good he feels at 135 Pounds.
“Absolutely, I have fought a lot of fights at 135 before this fight anyway,” Anheliger said. “It is not something that is new to me and I know how great I can feel in there. It is nice to not have to cut weight as it can add other factors, make you sick, miss training. I feel good, strong, and fast. Just ready to perform.”
While overflowing confidence about being stronger at the higher weight, the common concern is that he will be smaller than MacLean. But, Anheliger scoffs at that concern as he doesn’t believe it will make much of a difference.
“I have been in this game for a long time and fought pro for almost 10 years,” said the Calgary, Alberta product. “I just think most of that stuff is in people’s heads. Five pounds here or there, even if it is a little more, if you think you are going to lose a fight over five pounds, you have a lot of other things you need to be preparing for. Skill and experience is going to be worth a lot more than five pounds so I’m not worried about the weight at all.”
Although he isn’t worried about being smaller, something many fans and pundits have discussed is how Chad should be concerned with the knockout power Maclean possesses. He has won the majority of his fights by knockout as Anheliger knows doesn’t think it will play a factor, as he knows he will be hard to hit.
“I am not worried at all. I think he has good skills and good power. But, that stuff is not going to translate against someone like me,” Anheliger explained. “I know how to handle myself and move properly. Like I know how to deal with someone who hits hard like everyone hits hard. I just think I move too well and am too experienced. So, I am not going to be flat footed and get caught by one of his big shots. Not like he can’t do it, I’ve seen him do it, it is not going to happen to me.”
Ultimately, after a good training camp, where he sustained no major injuries, Anheliger is ready to become a the Champ-Champ. The Prairie native is currently 7-5 as a pro riding a six-fight winning-streak ready to make that 8-5 come April 13.
He is more than confident he has what it takes to beat Maclean. But, for him, it is more about the process and how he wins, than if he wins.
“I see it a lot of times as I am preparing. Ultimately, I know I am going to win the fight and I think I’m too good. My confidence is too high, and I got too many skills. I am going to win the fight, how is more up to Craig. Whatever he decides to do, is how I am going to take him out.”
For now, it is the final preparations for Anheliger. He is ready to fight again, ready to be 2-0 inside the Rise FC cage, ready to hold two belts. He understands just how important a win here is for his career and is ready to put on a show.
Regardless of the outcome, this is going to be one of, if not the biggest Canadian MMA fight ever, and Anheliger is proud to be a part of it.
“It gets me excited. That is probably the thing I am most looking forward to the fight of just how big it is and being the main or co-main event. I just love it,” Anheliger concluded. “The interviews, the posters, I just want to every fight as big as possible. This fight is perfect for that as it is already a super high-level fight. Two champs going at it, I love the pressure, it builds for a better fight.”
