DWCS 19 headliner James Wallace: ‘If I fight how I fight, I’ll get that UFC contract’
Lightweight standout James Wallace checks in with MyMMANews.com to discuss his upcoming bout with Joe Solecki at Dana White’s Contender Series 19. The event will take place July 9 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and will stream exclusively on ESPN+ in the US. The 155-pound fight will serve as the night’s headliner.
“Jesse” James discusses being a fan of the Contender Series, the opportunity that lies ahead of him,, being the type of fighter Dana White is looking for, how working with American Top Team has helped him be relaxed and focused, fighting now UFC competitor Chris Gutierrez as an amateur, how he sees the fight playing out and much more.
Wallace also discusses if he has been able to visualize that moment where Dana White talks to Laura Sanko upon the card’s completion and saying his name on July 9.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t, but yes I have thought about it,” Wallace told MyMMANews.com. “I feel like if I just fight how I fight then everything is going to take care of itself and I will get the contract. It’s been a long road to get here for me. I’ve been fighting since I was 15, so I put a lot of work into this.
“I’ve had two goals when I started, get a jiu-jitsu black belt and fighting in the UFC. So I’m on the cusp of getting to one of the goals that I’ve always wanted. It’ll mean a lot to me but I don’t want to just win the contract, I want to win in the UFC. It’ll be great to get the contract, but I’ll be looking to get right back to work and get in there (for the UFC).
Check out the full interview with “Jesse” James Wallace above ahead of his headlining bout with Joe Solecki at DWCS 19.
Also, if you missed the last Contender Series event, watch the MyMMANews.com DWCS 18 post-show as MMA Fighting’s Alex K. Lee and TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter join the program to recap the event.
Full Dana White’s Contender Series 19 fight card:
- James Wallace vs. Joe Solecki – lightweight
- Antonio Trocoli vs. Kenneth Burgh – light heavyweight
- Chris Ocon vs. Hunter Azure – bantamweight
- Maki Pitolo vs. Justin Sumter – middleweight
- Jonathan Pearce vs. Jacob Rosales
