Luke Fernandez plans to continue destructive ways at CFFC 128: 'I'm always looking to put on a show for the fans'
Former CFFC NextGen champ looks to capture first pro title in spectacular fashion.
Undefeated light heavyweight prospect Luke Fernandez has already amassed quite the highlight reel during his eight appearances under the CFFC banner, a run that includes an incredible six first-round finishes.
At CFFC 128, with the promotion's vacant light heavyweight title on the line, Fernandez looks to continue that trend.
"I've been fortunate enough to be getting the job done," Fernandez said. "Training and stuff has been going great, so it's one of those things, just keeping the gas pedal down. I'm looking forward to this opportunity of having a title shot and winning my first title, so I'm very excited."
Fernandez made his amateur debut in 2020 under the CFFC banner, needing less than two minutes to score a submission win and immediately making his presence known. He would go on to win the promotion's NextGen light heavyweight title and register two successful defenses of the belt before making the jump to the professional ranks.
After two first-round victories to start his pro career, Fernandez called for a shot at the vacant CFFC title, and promotion officials granted him that wish.
"It means everything to me," Fernandez said. "It's one of the things that I've been working towards since I started fighting, so it's one of those things that once I was able to attain a light heavyweight title as an amateur, I knew that I wanted to as a pro. I wasn't sure when that opportunity would come, but it being vacant and then with the two finishes, I just thought I might as well mention it."
The decision paid off, and Fernandez (2-0) now faces Peter New (4-2) in the co-main event of CFFC 128, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS on Friday, December 15 from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. It's a short drive from Fernandez's hometown of Lacey Township, and he's excited he gets his title opportunity in front of what's sure to be a supportive crowd.
"Hard Rock is awesome," Fernandez said. "It being in basically my backyard is awesome, and the fact that I get to have a lot of friends and family that usually don't make it out to my other fights come there and stay the weekend and all that stuff is just cool, and it's just a different feel.
"The AC vibe just gets the energy more going, so it's very exciting. Can't wait to be in that environment again. It's going to be a crazy energy. I've got a lot of friends and family going, and so it's just going to be exciting."
New, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, steps into the CFFC cage for the first time after recently relocating to Los Angeles and training with a new team. Fernandez and his crew at Dante Rivera BJJ have done their research, and the undefeated light heavyweight insists he's prepared for the challenge.
"I think that he's talented, well rounded, definitely not taking anything lightly," Fernandez said of his opponent. "Not looking past anything, but my training says the same. I train as if I'm fighting the best in the world, so that's the gameplan I'm going with, is just make sure that my game is well-rounded and everything I can do in my power is done."
If past is a precedent, Fernandez certainly has shown the ability to deliver impressively when the spotlight shines the brightest. As he readies for the biggest fight of his career, Fernandez is planning on doing exactly that.
"I'm always looking for a finish," Fernandez said. "I'm always trying to get the job done where I don't have to take any unnecessary damage. I feel like that's every fighter's goal when they step in the octagon or the cage is to get the job done in spectacular fashion and kind of get the highlight under their belt, but I'm trained for five rounds. I'm built for five.
"That's one of the things I pride myself on is I think my gas tank really shows in the later rounds, especially for a bigger dude. I think the ability to move and the ability to still move with good technique and have some fluidity to yourself is something that I pride myself on, so if it goes there, it goes there, but I'm always looking to put on a finish. I'm always looking to put on a show for the fans."
