HOUSTON, TX, January 4, 2011 – Next up for out Cage Combat 7 interview series we speak to 18 year old Kolton Englund. Most recently fighting against Garcia Promotions frontman Eric Garcia at Legacy Amateur Series 7, Kolton is now fighting for him this Friday night at Cage Combat 7. This time around, he’ll be taking on another experienced opponent in 3-2 Alex Melendez.

Here are his pre-fight thoughts prior to this Friday night in Humble.

Interview –  Kolton Karl Englund

Kolton, the last time we saw you in the cage you were in a very spirited battle with Eric Garcia and now you’re fighting in his promotion. Does that feel weird at all?

No it does not feel weird fighting for Eric, I’m just glad he offered me the fight.

Speaking of that fight, how did it go from your perspective? Any learning lessons from it?

Fighting Eric was very unexpected because we have trained together in the past but the fight went well. It gave me a lot of confidence in the cage based on how people were telling me I did. I did drop the most weight I had ever dropped when I stepped in there with Eric but no excuses. It was a great experience for me.

What’s been your most memorable experience so far as an amateur fighter?

Every time I get in the cage it’s a memorable experience because I gain so much after each fight I take. I’m only nineteen years old so it’s always a learning experience just to get in there. The biggest memorable though would have to be my first amateur fight when I TKO’d my opponent in the first round. That was the best feeling in the world.

You recently went to New Mexico for some training at Jackson’s right? What did it so for you as a fighter?

Yes I did. It was a great experience being able to train with those top level guys. I picked up a few things from them but the trip mainly showed me what I needed to work on and how much better I need to get to be on their level as a fighter.

How do you think you’ve improved most since you’ve started fighting? How are you continuing to look to get better?

I think it’s just all about experience and being able to stay relaxed in the cage. I feel that I’ve been more relaxed recently which is making me a smarter fighter. But like I said, I think I’ve figured out the things I need to work on and I’m doing that every day.

In this next fight you’ll be taking on Alex Melendez. What are your thoughts on this fight and him as an opponent?

I’ve heard he’s a good fighter and I’m hoping it will be a good fight. That’s about it.

Any predictions on how it will go?

You never know things can change and happen in a blink of an eye in that cage …but I plan on it not going all 3 rounds like my last two. <laughs>

What are your goals in the cage in 2012 after this fight?

I’m hoping to get another title shot and be the youngest title holder in Houston. That’s my main goal! 

Any last words before Friday?

I trained hard for this one so I know I’ll be ready. I would like to thank my second family Silverback for getting me ready for this fight. Thanks Ramiro, Hector, Chili, Levi, Jacob, Edgar, Tony, Lil Tony, Scotty and many more gorillas. Oh….  and my main punching bag The Black Beast.

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