Following Disappointing MFC Run, Brian Cobb Starts Anew at World Series of Fighting

To say former PFC lightweight champion Brian “Bandit” Cobb’s last fight did not go in any way he anticipated would be hitting the nail squarely on the head.

After initially thinking he had made weight heading into his MFC title fight against Antonio McKee, Cobb was told he missed weight and would not be allowed to weigh in again. Things were further compounded when McKee missed weight and the whole atmosphere of the fight changed.

“The biggest thing with the McKee fight was that it was definitely a learning experience,” said Cobb. “Being in there and realizing things can change in an instant. It was supposed be a five-round title fight and ended up being a three-round non-title fight.

“It was a weird scenario all the way around. I have a good gas tank and I was training for a five-round fight, and by end of the third round, he was exhausted and I realized I should have pushed the pace more.”

Cobb ended up losing the fight via unanimous decision and was subsequently released from the MFC.

In the months following the loss, Cobb worked hard to move his game forward so when he did return to fighting, he’d be able to be an all-around tougher fighter for his opponents.

“I’ve really been focusing on crisp, clean punching,” Cobb told MMAWeekly.com. “Not just going out there and throwing for the sake of throwing. Everything has an intention and a point.

“I’m also trying to improve my transition game between my stand-up and the ground. Before I stand, stop and then shoot. I’m trying to really actually have a nice mesh of the two.”

Cobb hopes his improvements will come into play when he makes his return on Nov. 3 as part of the inaugural World Series of Fighting event in Las Vegas live on the NBC Sports Network against Ronys Torres.

“I know he’s got power and is able to knock guys down – he may not knock them out – but he definitely drops them, and then is able to go to his game,” said Cobb of Torres. “He has solid wrestling, but I think I bring a style of wrestling that he’s probably never seen. Even guys who wrestled Division 1 in college have a hard time because it’s very awkward and Gumby-like.

“He’s a jiu-jitsu world champ and is very good on the ground, but I think he prefers to be on top, so I think the key to fight is who is going to get top position and enforce their game plan from there.”

After having a disappointing run in the MFC, Cobb hopes the WSoF will be an opportunity to start over, and better yet, advance his career.

“A rebirth in a new organization on NBC Sports with big names on their card adds drawing power,” said Cobb. “It’s a great opportunity for me to show that I really haven’t gone anywhere and I’m ready to move forward.

“Hopefully a win here and another big win could put me on track for the WSoF belt in 2013.”

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