With full-time move to Florida's Kill Cliff FC, Bailey Schoenfelder all in ahead of CFFC 131
Looking to claim heavyweight title in promotional debut, "Berserk" believes he's ready to make an immediate impact.
Bailey Schoenfelder admits he wasn't expecting to fight for a title in his CFFC debut, but he certainly didn't balk at the opportunity when it was offered.
"We were just looking for a fight, and I knew that my managers were looking at dates and trying to get something lined up, and then this just kind of came out of the blue from my management team," Schoenfelder said. "It seemed like a great opportunity, so I kind of jumped on it."
Just like that, Schoenfelder (4-0) found himself booked in the co-main event of Friday's CFFC 131, which streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS from New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. There, he'll take on reigning heavyweight champ Greg Velasco (6-1).
Velasco represents the most experienced opponent of Schoenfelder's career, but he remains confident ahead of the matchup.
"I've gotten together a couple of times with some of my teammates and we've watched films," Schoenfelder said. "Nothing too extensive, but yeah, we've got a solid gameplan, and I'm as ready as I'll ever be to execute anything."
Schoenfelder enters the matchup with just a little more than 11 minutes of total professional experience to his name, so it may seem like the moment is coming a little quickly in his career, but that's nothing new for the former University of Minnesota linebacker.
Schoenfelder wasn't able to build an amateur record before making his professional debut, but making that quick jump has worked out just fine.
"When I first started training, I tried to find some amateur fights, but COVID was still going on, and I couldn't get anybody to take an amateur fight," Schoenfelder said. "Eventually, I just trained for long enough that my manager was like, 'We might as well just start out pro.'"
Four fights in, the move seems to have been wise, with Schoenfelder earning stoppage victories in every appearance.
In truth, the timing for this title fight might actually be absolutely perfect for Schoenfelder, who recently made the move to Florida to train full-time with the famed Kill Cliff FC crew.
"Before this, I was just traveling down to Florida, staying in a hotel and doing four or five weeks for a camp and then going back to Minnesota, where I was originally," Schoenfelder said. "It was mainly just committing to my fighting career. More training partners. More opportunities. Coaching staff is great. It's just kind of a better situation all around, and I feel good.
"I've had a solid camp. We had three other heavyweights that are in camp, too, so it was probably one of the best camps I've had so far."
The immediate reward on the table is clear: the CFFC heavyweight title. But top prospects across the country are all bracing for the upcoming season of Dana White's Contender Series, and short-notice UFC call-ups are always an option, especially at heavyweight, where those invitations often come much earlier than in other divisions.
Schoenfelder said he's not really sure what the ultimate prize might be, but he's certainly shown that he's not afraid to step up when given opportunities.
"I generally leave that decision making up to my management team," Schoenfelder said. "My teammates let me know where I'm at, and my coaches see it. I'll take whatever opportunity comes around. I mean, I'll obviously be willing to face it, but I'll definitely take their input."
Is it too much, too soon? The truth will be known come Friday night. But Schoenfelder knows you have to take risks if you want to reap the rewards, and he's ready to make a statement in his CFFC debut.
"I think I definitely have the potential to finish it," Schoenfelder said. "I also know that from what I've seen, he's a super durable guy. He's more of a grinder, and it could easily go the distance, so I mean we'll just kind of see how it plays out, I guess. I can't really predict things too much, but I think I'm ready for the opportunity."
