Bryan Nuro Has Big Plans for CageSport Title and Beyond | MMAWeekly.com

In three fights in 2016, lightweight up and comer Bryan Nuro has managed to win two of three bouts and in the process spot aspects of his game that needed work on.

In particular, it was Nuro’s sole loss to Justin Harrington at Super Fight League 49 in May, and his recent win over Ryan Fillingame for King of the Cage in October that have had the most impact on him.

“The one I had in May against Justin was my first loss as a pro or an amateur,” Nuro told MMAWeekly.com. “That one was definitely a tough one to swallow. That fight was good because it made me realize the aspects of my game I needed to work on against a tough opponent.

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“(The match against Fillingame) was also another close fight, a split-decision, and it showed me how I needed to work on my stand-up a little bit more.”

Of late, Nuro has focused on his stand-up as well as adding more weapons to his already solid ground game.

“This last year, I’ve felt my grappling game has gone up with an introduction of leg locks to my game, which I wasn’t previously doing,” said Nuro.

“What I’m looking for this next year is working on my stand-up base. Hopefully, maybe not this fight, but my next fight I should be able to showcase my skills a bit more as I put more work into them.”

Nuro (5-1) will look to keep his winning ways going when he takes on Bobby McIntyre (4-3) in the main event of CageSport 43 in Tacoma, Wash., for the promotion’s interim lightweight championship.

“(McIntyre) also fought Harrington and got choked out within two minutes, whereas with Harrington, I had a 25-minute war with him,” Nuro said. “It gives me confidence knowing that Justin rolled over him, while I gave (Harrington) one of the toughest fights he’s ever had.”

For next year, Nuro sees adding another title to his resume and eventually work his way to the national stage of MMA.

“I plan on 2017 being a big year for myself,” said Nuro. “This win over Bobby will get the interim (CageSport) championship and hopefully following that, in March, I have a fight for the Prime Fighting title belt against Joey Gomez from BJ Penn’s camp.

“That will give me two titles, and then give me a rematch with Harrington, and then after that have a series of defending my Prime title. Hopefully it can show that I can fight these tough guys in long matches, and get picked up one of those big organizations before the year is out.”

(Photo courtesy of CageSport and Ernie Sapiro Photography)

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