Anderson has 'a game plan'

MMA fighter Brogan Anderson prepares for the biggest fight of his career at a gym in Mosgiel yesterday. Photo: Gregor Richardson.
MMA fighter Brogan Anderson prepares for the biggest fight of his career at a gym in Mosgiel yesterday. Photo: Gregor Richardson.
MMA competitor Brogan Anderson wants to be the first fighter from Dunedin to compete in the UFC.

But first the 28-year-old has to get past Hamilton's Matt Vaile in what is the biggest fight of his career.

The pair will contest the Xtreme Fighting Championship [XFC] Australasian title in Brisbane on Saturday.

The XFC is one of Australia's bigger promotions so the winning welterweight will greatly enhance their resume.

''This will be Brogan's biggest test, I would suggest,'' trainer Matt Toa said.

''It is not only the quality of the opponent but the pressure of a big fight like this, too.''

Anderson is up for the challenge, though. He is aware Vaile, who has a professional record of six wins and one loss, is a powerful striker and a very solid wrestler with few weaknesses.

Anderson (9-2) said it would be a tough fight but he had ''a game plan'' which he believes can bring him success.

That game plan might be similar to the tactics he used to defeat Napier's Ryan Heketa at the Edgar Centre last month.

Most of the fight took place on the ground, with Anderson using his grappling and wrestling skills to secure the decision.

''It was just a good, tough fight. He was a tough competitor and it was the sort of fight that I needed.

''I've won my last five fights in a row, so I'm on a good wave at the moment and feeling confident.''

Vaile is a very accomplished wrestler as well, but Anderson may have to vary his tactics.

''I'm just going to feel it out,'' Anderson said. ''I think I'm pretty well rounded and I'll be able to fight wherever the fight goes.

''We'll just see how it plays out. But he is going to be hard work wherever we go.''

Anderson is a personal trainer but ''pretty much trains fulltime''. He took up the sport about seven years ago and had his first fight about a year later.

Like everyone, he gets nervous before a big fight but he has set himself the goal of fighting in the UFC and a win against Vaile would strengthen his resume and perhaps open some doors.

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