Colquhoun Upbeat Despite First Loss

Local Mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter Matthew Colquhoun said that his loss to American Roy Cooper III in their X-1 World Events Welterweight title fight two weeks ago has not done much harm to his career, and he has learnt from the experience.

Colquhoun suffered his first professional loss in MMA by way of a first-round knockout to Cooper and he said that after reflecting on the bout, he realised that he went into octagon with the wrong attitude.

"I guess I could say I got caught up in the playing of mind games and being too overconfident," Colquhoun told The Gleaner.

"I didn't respect the experience he had enough. But I learnt not to allow my opponent to draw me out. He's shorter than I am but he's more built, and he packs a punch."

He said the trip from Kingston to Honolulu, Hawaii, where the match was staged took a toll on his body, and that also probably influenced the outcome.

Mixed Martial Arts Jamaica CEO Daniel Chacko-Wilmot is, however, pleased, despite the result.

"Although I am disappointed at the loss, I must say that I am extremely proud of Matthew's achievement in getting such a title shot," Chacko-Wilmot said.

High expectations

"Believe me, we have not seen even half of what he is capable of, so expect this young warrior to reach the highest levels in MMA in the very near future. This young lion will only get better."

Colquhoun is now back in Florida, where he trains, as he gets ready for another bout later this month. This time he will be facing Colombian Daniel Holguin in a bout that was to take place last summer but got cancelled at the last moment.

"My next opponent will face a very different fighter from what they have been seeing," he said.

"A different fighter in attitude, technique and overall fighting style. Right now, I'm working on aspects to tighten up my game and improve the way I fight, and to adjust to fighting a different fighter."