Chris Bungard says being back in MMA has provided “structure” for his life – and hopes it leads to a crack at UFC further down the line.
The Holytown scrapper has signed a five-fight deal with Cage Warriors 134, and is aiming to make his debut in Belfast in June.
Bungard, 33, is delighted to have been given the opportunity, and said: “I’m buzzing off it, it’s good to get something in the pipeline and get focused on high competition again – I’ve not fought in about a year.
“Cage Warriors are one of the biggest in the world, and they’re number one in Europe.
“I’ve always been a fan of Cage Warriors, I watched them since I started in MMA, so it will be cool to pull the old gloves on and show my fans a different side.
“It’s a good feed into the UFC, so that’s the new plan.
“This puts structure to my life, really. I had thought about doing a few different things, so it will be good keep focused on my training, on my diet and stuff I have a fight to look forward to.
“It’s on a big stage like Cage Warriors, on UFC Fight Pass, on BT Sport. It’s good for me, and the next step in my journey, really.”
Bungard says nothing has been set in stone for his Ireland debut, but he is hopeful of making his start then.
He said: “It’s five fights, and I’m aiming for Belfast.
“I’m not 100 per cent matched on it yet, but if it’s the next show then I’ll be looking to get on that card. Belfast would be great, there are some good Irish fighters in Cage Warriors, so I’m sure there will be tasty fights there for me.
“The division’s packed full of talented guys, hard fights everywhere.”
Bungard is part of the Scottish Hit Squad, and was down in London with Airdrie’s Paul Craig for his UFC bout.
He makes no bones about the fact that UFC is where he wants to end up, eventually.
Bungard said: “I feel good. I’m still training every day with my teammates, I was in London last week with Paul Craig for the UFC, so we’re all just working away quietly and doing our thing.
“Cage Warriors is the next step to, hopefully, maybe, down the line, get some UFC fights.
“It has been a while since I made it [MMA] work, and I’m missing it a wee bit, missing the atmosphere, the buzz, the nerves – but not the weight cuts!
“I’m missing the competition, because there’s no feeling like it. I’m looking forward to being back in there.”
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