Paris Artis has strong message for CFFC lightweights: Stop ducking me
It's been 11 months since Paris Artis delivered a head-rattling highlight-reel finish of Ryan Rizco, and if he's able to do something similar at CFFC 100, "Ares" doesn't want to sit that long again.
"There's been a lot of people ducking," Artis said. "I don't want to say no names, but it's just been a lot of people ducking, so it's been hard for me to actually get back and get in there."
Artis delivered the stunning finish in his promotional debut, instantly making him a name to watch in CFFC's lightweight division. But he's struggled to get matchups since, leaving the 27-year-old prospect openly frustrated.
"Like every time that we get a fight, somebody would back out or something might happen," Artis said. "It's like, 'Oh, OK,' but then it's like I turn around and I see them fighting a month later or whatever the case may be. That doesn't make sense to me, but it is what it is."
Despite the delay in getting another fight, Artis says he's remained focused on improving his skills, and he has his sights firmly set on an invitation to the big show in the very near future.
Artis (4-0) gets a chance to take another step in that direction when he faces another talented lightweight in Feraris Golden (3-1) at Thursday's CFFC 100, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa in Florida.
"I'm glad Golden decided that he wanted to fight because the last guy that they had set me up with, he backed out two times," Artis said. "I think he's a good fighter. He's got some experience, and I think he's pretty good everywhere, but I've got a great gameplan. I've got a good strategy behind this fight on the 16th, so hopefully I'll get it done in one or two."
All four of Artis' professional victories have come by way of stoppage, and only his debut made it out of the opening round. Highlights are nothing new to the Team ROC fighter, and he plans on delivering another one at CFFC 100.
If it's not enough to gain the attention of UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Sean Shelby, he's hoping it's at least enough to catch the eye of CFFC lightweight champ Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov, who competes in the night's main event. After all, the two were briefly paired together late last year, though the matchup didn't ultimately come to fruition.
Artis hasn't decided if he'll stick around after his fight to issue a formal challenge. He's actually considering entering a single-night, eight-man tournament in Massachusetts just two days after CFFC 100.
"I don't want to wait another year to get back in the cage," Artis said. "I was supposed to fight Zulkarnaiyn two times already, so I might watch his fight. Maybe not. I'm not really too sure. I'm probably going to be either getting on the road or on a plane to go to Massachusetts once this is all over.
"I'm hoping I can get this one done, head up there, do those three fights, and then just keep it rolling after that."
Whether or not that plan comes to fruition remains to be seen. But the first step is picking up another win. Artis has a penchant for exciting finishes, so he's hoping another big result will earn him a big reward, one way or another.
"I'm just really trying to work my way to UFC," Artis said. "That's my goal, really. I want to fight the best of the best, man, and be in the top organization."
