Lew Long is back in the big time and ready to for whatever comes next after picking up a massive win last weekend. 

The Welshman claimed the prize scalp of the previously undefeated English prospect Ryan Scope at Made4TheCage 23 on Saturday night and having recorded one of the biggest wins in his career for years, Long has opened up a number of different possibilities for his next fight.  

Speaking exclusively to FloCombat earlier today, Long talked about walking into Scope’s backyard of Sunderland and getting the win in front of a partisan Geordie crowd.

“Ho ho there was a lot of Scope fans there—it was in ‘Geordie Land’ after all,” Long said. “After the stoppage, I didn’t really feel like going and walking around the audience, just in case you know. There were a lot of Geordie people there like, but yeah, they gave me a decent reception It was a brilliant event really, it was the fullest I’ve ever seen it. It was electric, especially for Ryan Scope they loved him.”

Breaking down the Scope fight

Although the fight didn’t even make it past the first round, the action was fast and furious and both fighters were in control at different stages of the fight. Long recalled the fight from his perspective and broke down what he believed saw him through to getting his hand raised.

“When the fight was standing, I was always just going to try and stay in the pocket with him,” Long said. “The head kick didn’t rock me, it did daze me for a second though. I didn’t feel out of my depth at all at any time during the fight. I was just trying to stay in there and mix it up between throwing to the face and the body.

“I did try going for a takedown, but he got good under hooks in so I released it and just went back to striking. I didn’t waste the energy in my arms when he was set nicely and settled in. He was quick with the flick kicks and stuff, but my legs are like tree trunks and my head is like a coconut—I think when he kicked me in the head he broke his foot and my head isn’t even marked you know. 

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“I just conserved my energy and once I could get two hands to a leg I decided to finish it there. Him going for the heel hook was useless, no one gets me there—every time someone does that I just spin and get it back.”

Karl Amoussou is the fight to be made

Having gone on to sink in a rear-naked choke and pick up the win, Long put an end to a breathless encounter by submitting the hometown man. Having snapped Scope’s streak and put in an incredibly impressive performance in a fight that got a lot of media attention in the UK, Long now has the world at his feet. With his options now wide open, Long said he was prepared to take on all comers, but that for him at least, one fight in particular stands out as a logical next step.

“Look, I don’t care too much, but actually, I’ll tell Graham Boylan [Cage Warriors owner] I want someone that’s going to scare me,” Long said. “If you gave me three choices of opponent, I’m going to choose the one that scares me the most. 

“That’s me being honest—I get the best out of myself when I know that I’ve got to train hard when I know that I’ve got to train with fear. When I know a guy that can just put me away with a shot it scares me. There’s one guy I want—Karl Amoussou. I keep saying online that he’s got my belt. That’s a scary fight. He’s been around a long time and I know I’d be at my best if I got that fight.”

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Enjoying the highs

Having made the challenge to the current Cage Warriors welterweight champion, Long reiterated that this was the fight that in his mind at least made the most sense. With rumors flying around that Amoussou had signed for the UFC, Long said he understood that the fight might not be on the cards, but if it was in play it was definitely the one he wants. 

“Look I know there’s all this talk about whether he gets signed [for the UFC] now and I know there’s a lot of ‘what-ifs’ surrounding it, but I think I’m the next in line so to speak,” Long said. “People enjoy seeing me fight and how I talk. I always try to put on a show and I think the fans would like to see it.

“Fights like this are why I do this. MMA can be a very fickle sport so you just got to embrace times like these. I’ve been fighting for many years now and who knows what can happen. It’s just a case of taking what I can get and enjoying it.”

ACB, BAMMA not out the question, but it’s all about the Cage Warriors title 

Having fueled up on pizza and Greggs pasties in the last few days, Long now jokes that he is experiencing the big fight blues and already ready to get back into the thick of it. The Welshman spoke about his current contract situation what sort of offers he’d be open to taking. 

“I’ve got no injuries or anything like that,” Long confirmed. “I’ll just keep myself busy and get involved with some grappling matches and that you know. It’s on my side now you know. If I can get that fight with Amoussou then I’ll take that whenever they [Cage Warriors] want it to happen. 

“I’m signed with Intensity [Management], but say BAMMA came in for a fight for their title, I think it’s that Nathan ‘Bag and Tag’ who’s got their title, I know I could walk through him. Maybe if that popped up, but to me, it’s always been on my mind to headline a Cage Warriors card and get that title. 

“ACB whatever, you know it’s just another day in the office, but it’s that strap on Cage Warriors I want. All my Welsh colleagues have had a go so why not me. Mr. Amoussou lets do it."

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