LONDON – One of the big winners at “Cage Warriors 106: Night of Champions” was undoubtedly Jai Herbert, whose spectacular striking performance against fellow challenger Jack Grant saw him claim a third-round TKO finish and the Cage Warriors lightweight title.
Herbert’s (9-1) impressive display to defeat Grant (15-5) was the latest in a red-hot run of form that has seen the 31-year-old reel off five consecutive wins, with four of them coming via knockout. His latest stoppage victory certainly caught the eye at the Eventim Apollo on Saturday night, but Herbert says there is much more still to come.
“I’d rate that about a seven (out of 10),” he told MMA Junkie backstage after his victory. “I did well in there, but I should have used my jab a bit more. I got a bit too right-hand happy. I should have used my left hooks a bit more, so it wasn’t a perfect performance, but I was a very good one. I know I’m loads better than that.”
It was a star-making performance by the Birmingham lightweight, who has been sharpening his skills alongside UFC veterans Tom Breese and Leon Edwards, as well as rising Bellator star Fabian Edwards, at Team Renegade Brazilian Jiu-JItsu.
Herbert said that being surrounded by some of the U.K.’s finest has helped him take his skills to the next level.
“To me, it’s rubbing off on me, all the experience that they’ve got,” he explained. “They’ve been there and done it, and all their knowledge is rubbing off on me. It’s making me a 10-times better fighter.”
After capturing the Cage Warriors lightweight strap by stopping pre-fight favorite Grant, Herbert says he’s ready to make the step up to the UFC and bring his slick striking skills to the octagon.
“I think I’m UFC-ready now,” Herbert said. “I believed that whoever won that fight was going to the UFC, so I believe I’m ready to go there.
“Look at all the stoppages I’m getting, man. I’m not just a fighter who can’t grapple, can’t defend takedowns. I can defend takedowns and I can get back to my feet. I can grapple, I can strike, and I can finish fights. I’m ready to be in the UFC, man.
“In an ideal world, that will be next, getting a shot for the UFC, obviously. But I’d love to defend my belt, too – but I reckon a shot in the UFC. It’s time now, definitely.”
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