Gracie Barra Portland standout and recent Bellator MMA Signee Cris “Sunshine” Williams will make his Bellator debut on December 1st in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Williams has been waiting anxiously for a matchup since signing with the promotion back in August. He will enter the Bellator cage undefeated at 3-0 when he squares off against Texas based fighter, Thomas Lopez (1-2).
Talking to Williams, it was clear that he feels ready for this moment.
“This is a great opportunity and I honestly couldn’t be happier. I feel like I have been ready to fight since August so I am glad to be getting in the cage so soon. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity, it’s great.”
Seeing as Williams has been ready to fight since August, he has also taken this time to dial in his diet and work a bit more on his strength and conditioning. He has moved away from most meat and has adapted a heavy vegetable and fruit diet that has him not only feeling stronger but faster.
“I am feeling better than ever, feeling really strong. I have noticed a big difference in my speed because of the changes. I am working with my strength and conditioning coach to dial it all in.”
Williams believes that the added strength and speed is helping him in the gym but he gives all the praise to his coaches and had a lot to say about Gracie Barra head coach Fabiano Scherner as well as striking coach Ian Loveland.
“You know the crazy thing about this fight? I had my first amateur fight in December 2015. It will be almost exactly two years since I started this journey. I am so thankful that Fabiano was there to take this kid who didn’t know anything and teach me so much. We have this great relationship where I get excited but he is calm and keeps me focused … Then he and Ian (Loveland) they just say these things, like before my last fight Ian tells me step back and pop off my jab then Fabiano says, look for the guillotine. So in the fight I pop off my jab and the kid shoots in and I wrap him up. (Fabiano and Ian) just drop these little things, it’s amazing.”
Williams is taking this fight very seriously. His usually playful demeanor was understated as he talked about his opponent and he seemed almost a touch nervous when discussing the fight itself. When I pried a little, Williams literally laughed at the idea that he was nervous. He made it very clear that this was not the case before letting me in on his plans for the future.
“I have been ready for this since the first time I stepped into a cage. This has been my goal since day one and I am not nervous, I’m ready. I’m just taking this fight very seriously because I have a new goal and this fight is the first step. My new goal is to be champion in two years. I will be the Bellator (featherweight) champion in two years! Trust me.”
