Issue 198

June 2023

Fighting out of Next Generation MMA in Liverpool, Adam Cullen is one of the most exciting lightweights in Europe right now. Fighters Only’s Kyle Dimond caught up with Cage Warriors' rising star.

When and why did you start getting called “The King of France?” 

"I actually don't know, I beat some French lad and his dad messaged me saying I was a bum and that I only beat him because he was injured so I started messaging him back saying I'm the king of France and that's why I've just battered your son. From there I just started making memes and became the king of France for a little bit"

How did you first get started in MMA?

"I played UFC Undisputed 2009, found out what it was, and then went and found a gym to start training." 

How beneficial is it to have fighters like Paddy Pimblett and Molly McCann always in and around the gym? 

"It's unbelievable really, because they're the trailblazers at the moment for international superstars from the UK. They're leading the way for all of us coming up behind them and you can see all the ups and downs of all the fame and notoriety of being at the highest level, in the UFC. You get a taste of it before you get there."

How does it feel to have a bunch of guys from the same gym (Luke Riley, Nathan Fletcher, Shem Rock etc.) all at a similar stage to yourself, ready to break through? 

"It's sick really, you've got other people to relate to every day in the gym, all battling for big fights, tough opposition, and big opportunities. You can't really ask for anything better, to have other people all in your shoes, doing the same thing, so everyone knows what each other are feeling and going through so it's a proper good support system to have."

With how most of your pro fights have been so far, are you ever left wanting a bit more cage time?

"No, people who say ‘I'm made up to get cage time’ only say that because they can't finish a fight – they can't even finish their dinner, let alone a fight. They're divvies that say that, but the thing is I'm so confident in how fit, strong, and conditioned I am, I don't give a f**k. I know I could go five rounds easily. At the end of the day, people don't want to see five-round decisions, or split decisions where no one has landed a clean shot. People want finishes. The fans who buy tickets and watch online, they're the ones that pay the bills at the end of the day."

You’ve said in the past about having difficulty getting fights, how frustrating has that been?

"It's pathetic, to be honest. The amount of people that are fighting in the UK or on Cage Warriors that say all kinds about fighting for the title or going to the UFC, then turn down fights, is pathetic. In my opinion, we shouldn't get a choice, it should be, 'You're fighting him,' and if you say no, they say f**k off, then. That's not the case and people don't want to fight you. It doesn't say anything about me, it says a lot about them and having no belief in themselves. I'm not being funny, but I've got no fight time. If you can't beat me, how are you going to get to the UFC? I'm a virtually inexperienced professional, come on lads. I've done about six minutes of fighting and you don't want to fight me? Pathetic."

How has it been having the support of Cage Warriors from an early stage in your career?

"The backing is boss. There's no better platform to be on and develop in the UK than Cage Warriors. The eyes that are on it alone, the production, everything about it. It's so close to what the UFC is like that it's the perfect preparation stage for cutting your teeth. You get all the same feels, the same production, the same crowds from your pro debut until you get signed. You can't ask for it to be any better."