Nick Galanti hopes to follow teammates Eric Nolan, Luke Fernandez to UFC: 'I'm just a kid with a dream'
Galanti returns to action at CFFC 145 inspired by success of his Dante Rivera BJJ training partners
Like every athlete that steps into the CFFC cage, Nick Galanti has a dream of one day fighting in the UFC. But for the former CFFC NextGen middleweight champion, that dream has started to look a lot more realistic over the past couple of weeks.
The longtime Dante Rivera BJJ product saw teammate Eric Nolan make his UFC debut earlier this month. He's also currently watching Luke Fernandez busy prepping for his shot at Dana White's Contender Series in October. With those two training partners and CFFC champions paving the way, Galanti is ready to follow their path
"It's definitely inspiring," Galanti said. "Everyone's realizing like, this isn't just a dream. It's very possible."
Galanti has spent his entire career competing under the CFFC banner, rising to the level of champion during his amateur days and now chasing that same status as a professional. The lone loss he's had as a pro came to Brandon Holmes, who recently got his own call to Dana White's Contender Series, as well.
Galanti has since rebounded from that setback with two straight submission wins but still believes improvements can be made in his performances, which he plans on demonstrating when he returns to action at CFFC 145 on Saturday, August 30, at New Jersey's Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
"It feels good, man – it really does – to be on a two-fight finishing streak, but I'm going to be real: I still don't feel like I've performed to the best of my abilities yet," Galanti said. "I really think this one should be the one that I come out and show everything."
At CFFC 145, Galanti (4-1 MMA, 4-1 CFFC) takes on four-time Bellator MMA veteran Ty Gwerder (7-5 MMA, 0-0 CFFC) in bout that streams live on UFC FIGHT PASS following prelims that stream exclusively at OnlyFans.com/cffcmma.
Both fighters have proven finishing abilities, making for what should be an entertaining encounter. However, bolstered by the work he's putting in with guys like Nolan and Fernandez on a daily basis, Galanti believes he will shine.
"I'm not gonna discredit (Gwerder)," Galanti said. "I think he's good, and I think he's very dangerous. I just feel like I'm on a different level right now with the people I'm training with and the people I'm around.
"I just feel like I'm really coming into my own, and I'm excited for this fight. I think it's definitely a fan-friendly favorite. We both come forward and we both come to scrap, so it will definitely be exciting, but I have full belief in my abilities."
With a win, Galanti would be in prime position to potentially compete for the CFFC middleweight title. With Kyle Daukaus vacating the title when the UFC came calling, interim titleholder Chris Brown and undefeated challenger Guram Gochashvili are set to crown a new undisputed titleholder on September 26 at CFFC 146.
A prime performance at CFFC 145 could easily see Galanti match up with the winner, and the 27-year-old prospect is planning on delivering, because the ultimate goal is starting to become a little clearer off in the distance.
"I'm just a kid with a dream, and like, I'm not where I want to be, but I'm definitely heading towards that direction," Galanti said. "It's always kill or be killed. I'll go out on my shield if that's what it is, but that's not what I'm planning to do, so definitely show up to the venue because not only me, but there's so many good people on the card, from the Philly guys to our guys and everyone that we've trained with, so it's definitely going to be a night full of fights that are definitely exciting.
"There's no boring fights there, so definitely tune in. I'm going to hope to put on a show for everyone."
