Chris Vasil believes big things in store for his team at CFFC 136: 'Charlie's Combat Club is going to go in there and clean house'

Vasil looks to rebound from title loss last time out, while teammate Bilal Hasan challenges for flyweight gold at Friday's event on UFC FIGHT PASS.

Explosive brawler Chris Vasil returns to action at Friday's CFFC 136, entering the cage for the first time since his memorable championship fight against former CFFC featherweight champion Jose Perez (9-1), which saw "Bad Apple" fare very well against the current PFL signee, though he ultimately suffered a unanimous decision loss. While it was not the result he wanted, Vasil said it was an eye-opening experience for him and has shaped the way he's approached his training in the yearlong interim.

The Charlie's Combat Club pupil has since been in the lab, sharpening his tools and improving his skills and now will make his return to the CFFC cage for his seventh fight in the promotion. Vasil believes the experience he gained against Perez will prove valuable in his return.

"It was kind of surreal, to be honest," Vasil said. "Not that I thought it would've been an easy fight, but he really surprised me in that fight. I was very impressed with his wrestling, to be honest, and I made the mistake of being a little overly aggressive.

"I've never been put in the positions he put me in. He really did his research. It was an eye-opening experience. I went and changed my whole training regimen this whole past year I've been away. I've been doing a lot more training with some different guys, so in the areas I was lacking in that fight, I'm feeling very good."

CFFC 136 takes place at the 4 Bears Casino & Lodge in New Town, North Dakota, and Vasil is bringing some familiar faces along, including teammate Bilal Hasan (4-0), who will be featured in the night's co-main event as he challenges for CFFC's vacant flyweight title. Vasil feels it's been a positive effort to prepare as a team for CFFC 136 and says that Charlie's Combat Club is ready to show out under the lights in North Dakota.

"Bruce Slattem and Bilal are definitely my biggest problems in the gym, hands down," Vasil said. "It's very humbling to be able to spar with someone smaller than me and faster than me, as well as spar with someone a lot bigger than me.

"Charlie's Combat Club is going to go in there and clean house. It'll be a good night for us. We're going to put on a hell of a show. To anybody who isn't watching, you're dumb."

Vasil (6-4 MMA, 3-3 CFFC), who has earned the majority of his professional wins by finish, is now slotted to take on John Nguyen (7-4 MMA, 0-0 CFFC), who shares similar success. Nguyen currently holds five wins by way of knockout in his professional career, including a second-round stoppage in March in his native Canada.

Vasil respects the skills that Nguyen brings on the feet, as "The Dragon" is a lengthy featherweight, providing an additional challenge to go along with his finishing capabilities. This is nothing new for Vasil, however, and he insists he will not be fearful to exchange with Nguyen in the standup game, which could mean lights out for either man on the night.

"I know he is no joke on the feet," Vasil said. "He's got monster straight punches. Every fight he throws them, and he lands them flush. He's got some quick, snappy kicks.

"I figure I can get in the pocket and do some damage, work some of the stuff I've been learning in camp and hopefully show some new skills in this fight. I think I can exploit his weaknesses.

Vasil acknowledges a desire to obtain another title shot in CFFC and right the wrongs of his previous outing, but he also has a particular opponent in mind for his next fight should the belt not be available: former CFFC bantamweight champion Vilson Ndregjoni.

The pair fought at CFFC 109, where Vasil lost a very close fight by split decision. Vasil feels after the changes he made to his training he is more than capable of getting revenge on the former champion, who after a few consecutive weight misses appears destined for a change in weight class.

Win on Friday, and if the title fight can't be booked, he's just fine with that alternative plan.

"I have unsettled business with him," Vasil said. "I personally think I won that fight. A bunch of people thought I got robbed. If he's willing to fight me again, I think I crush him. I can't live with that loss. He didn't beat me. He's too fat now for 135, so we're going to have to let me welcome him to featherweight if he decides to make that jump."