He’s been training with Vemola, but wants to beat him before he quits. But now Will Fleury has to face Skvor: I want to win the title and take the Octagon to Ireland

When Oktagon released a video of Will Fleury signing his contract, Czechoslovak fans were not happy. It looked like just another troublemaker from Ireland or Great Britain had arrived and they weren’t going to like him. After all, he had lost his entire division. But he’s different from Shem Rock or Akonne Wanliss. He has shown that on Face to Face and now in an interview with Ruik.

Will Fleury had several offers, but chose the Octagon

Will Fleury has fought in Bellator or in the PFL, at 35 years old he boasts a record of 11-3, we would currently look for him at number 80 in the world rankings within the welterweight division. This is, in short, a big name that has been intriguing for the Octagon.

The Czechoslovakian organization had to fight for him though. “I had several offers, but Oktagon impressed me that this was the best opportunity where I could leave a legacy that I was working on. I like the way it promotes fights. Besides, I’ve fought in big arenas before, but the idea of fighting in a football stadium is exciting,” the Irish warrior said in an interview with Ruik.

However, when Octagon announced his signing, he didn’t make the best name for himself, especially with Czechoslovakian fans. He had more or less defended all the top of his weight division. “It was a plan, I wanted to get the fight,” he admits.

And that the fans didn’t like it? “I’m Will Fleury, and I’ll continue to be Will Fleury. If you don’t like it, that’s your problem,” he has a clear answer for anyone who doesn’t like the British and Irish fighters so far.

Will he fight Vemola?

Interestingly, Will Fleury leaned into the likes of Rafael Xavier in the video, who he has trained with in the past. The Brazilian was supposed to be talking about a friendship, whereupon in the video the Irishman countered by saying that he doesn’t even speak English and that he had supposedly turned down a fight once before. “It was at the beginning of 2022, I think. If he would accept now, I would love to fight him,” the Bellator veteran revealed.

Understandably, he also had a message for Karlos Vemola, the reigning champion. He said he won’t retire until they meet in the cage together. But he and the Terminator have a history.

“I told Bryan Lacey on the Octagon Hype show that I used to train with Karlos in London. It’s a story. I’d still like to fight him even though he wants to retire in the summer,” said Will Fleury. Which makes the reaction of Vemola, who apparently doesn’t know who the Irishman is, all the more interesting.

I want to win the title, admits Will Fleury

“I want to fight in sold-out stadiums, beat the best fighters there are, win the title and then bring the big gala to Ireland. I’m working on my legacy in this sport and I’m destined to do something special before I’m done,” spoke Will Fleury of his ambitions.

That he is not some arrogant and overly verbose fighter, he proved a few weeks ago on Face to Face, where he met his first opponent in the Octagon. That will be the Czech veteran Daniel Škvor on April 20 in Birmingham.

“I really enjoyed it. Plus, I liked the fact that Škvor looked nervous,” he said. However, he said on the show that the Czech puncher was smart to go for it by putting all the pressure on the Irishman.

“If you don’t feel pressure, you’re not being honest with yourself. But it’s something you have to earn. It’s a privilege. The more pressure I feel, the more alive I feel,” he added.

In an interesting move on that show, Will Fleury listed the Squire’s weaknesses. Was it to unsettle him and show him he was ready? “I was just asked a question, so I answered it honestly. I don’t think about things like that, those thoughts come from an inner weakness.”

He has clear expectations for the fight. As soon as he sees an opportunity, he intends to take it. But he won’t be completely at home in front of an English crowd: “ An Irishman would never rely on the support of the English, so my family and a few friends are coming to support me.”

So his current focus is squarely on Skvor. “But when I beat him, I want someone higher ranked. I’d like to fight someone for the next title challenger,” the 35-year-old let slip.

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