MMA Fighter from East Rockaway sets sights on UFC

Charlie “The Cannibal” Campbell’s next fight could be the fight that begins his run as a UFC fighter.  After his last mixed martial arts bout on April 15, which he won in the first round, by knockout, he gave an emphatic post-fight interview in the cage to professional wrestler, CM Punk, with the idea of gaining attention to be invited to UFC President Dana White’s “Contender Series,” where talent is scouted for the UFC. The show affords up and coming fighters the chance to showcase their talents in hope of earning a UFC contract.

“I knew that the TV series was coming up this summer and I thought, I need this fight and I need to win it in order to make a splash and get the right people’s attention and get invited onto this show,” Campbell said. “I called out specific matchmakers in the UFC that are in charge of inviting people to this ‘Contender Series’ show and I got their attention. There was no denying that I deserved my chance and my opportunity after that night”, 

After his impressive win, Campbell will fight Scottish MMA fighter Chris Duncan as a part of White’s “Contender Series” on Aug. 2. Campbell, 26, is a lifelong East Rockaway resident and began competing when he joined the Lynbrook Titans wrestling program at age 8. With an invite to the “Contender Series,” Campbell’s years of hard work is getting him closer to a major life goal.

“I’ve been aiming for longer than people even know about,” he said. “This is something that no words can even describe. Getting that contract for me. It’s a life dream in itself.”

While Campbell is focusing on his next fight, he still has more that he is aiming for. “I know that the ladder of success goes higher as you climb it,” he said. “It’s not the end all be all. It is just another fight. I know that the bigger picture is becoming a world champion. I want to do that. But thinking back to that 11-year-old version of myself, that was watching UFC events and dreaming about doing that myself, now it’s right in front of me. I knew I deserved to be there”

With him on the path to achieving his childhood dream, Campbell is staying focused on his preparation. “I’ve treated every fight the same for the past five years,” he said. “I know each of them is very important with the overall goal of getting to the UFC. Each fight was a must-win or I wouldn’t be in the seat I am right now for this fight in August. I know what’s at stake. It’s destiny. I’m going to make it happen”. 

The 2013 East Rockaway High graduate has many people supporting him in his MMA career and achieving dreams of the UFC and beyond are just as much for his supporters as they are for him. “I want to make everyone who believes in me proud, “ he said, “my family believed in me from the beginning, all the people that have heard about me came to support, watched from home, read the articles in the past, and have been paying attention to me, I want to make them proud and also prove those people wrong who have been doubting me all this time”.

Campbell has had a successful MMA career and with his sights on the UFC, he said he believes people haven’t seen the best of him yet, and surrounding himself with the right people has been and will continue to be key to his success.

For this upcoming fight, in particular, Campbell has been getting a lot of time spent with Aljamain Sterling, a Uniondale native, who recently won the UFC Bantamweight World Championship.

“With him, looking over me and helping me with those things I need to be better at, I have no doubts,” Campbell said.

Although it is hard to not look ahead to a potential UFC contract, Campbell said he is prepared and ready to win his fight and continue his dream.

“I know what I have to do,” he said. “And I will get it done. I’m going to knock this guy out and it’s going to come down to when’s the next one”.

Campbell’s fight on Aug. 2nd will be at the UFC’s home base of Las Vegas in the UFC Apex Centre and can be seen on ESPN Plus.

To keep up with Campbell or follow his career, visit CharlieTheCannibal.com.