Matt Secor is headlining CES MMA’s debut in New York when he fights Renee Forte on Friday, May 4.
Secor likes the stylistic match-up that Forte poses. He feels he has advantages in both the stand-up and Jiu-Jitsu aspects. He’ll also be the much bigger man on fight night, as Forte is generally a lightweight moving up to welterweight.
Most importantly, Secor recognizes Forte’s name value as someone who’s coming off a four-fight UFC stint. Forte went 1-3 in the promotion, was released, and hasn’t fought since March 2014.
“I think he has the name,” Secor told MMASucka. “He’s going to be a tough guy, too. In life, I want to challenge myself. If you look at my record, I haven’t really fought too many guys who aren’t tough.”
Secor is coming off two Bellator fights, where he went 1-1. He’s looking to get back into the win column after a decision loss to top-prospect Logan Storley. Now with CES, Secor gets the opportunity to fight in his home state of New York for the third time. He’d like to make it a fourth if he’s able to impressively beat Forte.
“Hopefully I can get on that June UFC Utica card,” Secor said.
Yup, the UFC is headed to Utica on June 1 where Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes will face off in a pivotal bantamweight bout. It would represent an opportunity for Secor, who’s from South Glens Falls, to fight in upstate New York.
“That’s the main goal, right?”
Secor might get the opportunity. He was featured on Season 16 of The Ultimate Fighter in 2012. He secured a win over current UFC fighter Max Griffin before taking a controversial split decision loss to Mike Hill. Secor already submitted one UFC veteran in Ricardo Funch, and will look to add Forte to that list. He hopes that will punch him his long-awaited UFC opportunity.
“That’s the main goal, right?” he said.
Secor found it difficult to make any prediction other than him getting his hand raised, citing the sport’s entropy-filled nature and Forte’s long layoff. Secor said he’s just hoping his opponent comes in at his best and ready to fight.
“Hopefully he trains hard and we see a new Renee Forte and he gets to meet Matthew Secor.”
CES NY 1 goes down this Friday at The Space in Westbury, New York.
