Lewis Monarch talks short notice step-up; Tanko main event vs Tim Wilde

This Saturday night, Tanko steps away from its Mancunian home for the first time to cross the Pennines in the wake of ‘Tanko: Leeds 1.’

The main event sees a youthful prospect in Lewis Monarch (7-2) step up on just two weeks notice to take on a man true to his surname in Tim Wilde (10-3).

Following the pull-out of Niklas Backstrom, Monarch was offered an opportunity to do more than just fill the slot. Taking this fight on in such a short time span can either lead to a monumental accolade or a potential setback. Nonetheless, Monarch is completely ready to take this risk.

“I’m feeling great for the fight,” Lewis began. “Training has gone well and I’m excited. I got about two and a half weeks notice for the fight, but I’ve been training with beasts at TFT and I’m fit so it’s not a problem.”

Last time around, Monarch was in fierce competition in the backyard of Kane Mousah in March in what was an extremely close contest. Despite feeling miles ahead in the skills facet and catching his man many sticky situations, the decision reluctantly went in favour of Mousah.

“The Mousah fight was frustrating,” Monarch revealed. “He’d done well to tough out the arm bars out and not tap. I should’ve mixed it up instead of chasing the submission. I just felt he couldn’t do anything with me on the mat and I was finding the submissions easy. It’s just a shame I didn’t finish one, as ultimately he went on to get the decision.

“I loved fighting on ACB at the Manchester Arena, though. I’ve fought on a couple of big shows now and it’s so much better than fighting at small workman’s clubs where I started. It’s shows my work is paying off.”

As aforementioned, Monarch has a very tough challenge ahead of him in the form of Tim Wilde – most likely his toughest test to date given the momentum carried by UTC standout. Given the elusive approach both men bring to the cage, Monarch fails to see this being anything other than a combustible main event.

“I don’t see how a fight with me and Tim could be boring,” the lightweight divulged. “We both look to finish fights and that’s what I’ll be looking for again this time. I’ve fought some decent names already and Tim is another one. A win over him will put me straight in the mix at the top of the UK lightweight division and then on to bigger things.”