Exclusive Q&A: Lewis McGrillen explains alternate personality in the cage - 'When I fight, I become something else'

Lewis McGrillen will be on the bill at the PFL Europe in Belfast. The winner of the PFL Europe bantamweights tournament will face Alan Philpott in the co-main event.

DAZN News spoke to the Manchester Top Team fighter, who at just 24 is one of the organisation's fighters to watch.

DAZN News: What do you think of your opponent, Philpott?

Lewis McGrillen: Just old school. Just an old-school fire. That’s the only thing I could really say about him, to be honest.

DN: Any prediction?

LM: I see me knocking him out in round one.

DN: You're the champion of the PFL Europe tournament. Did you quickly move on to other things after you won?

LM: 100%. I signed a new contract with PFL, just with showcase fights, getting nice money as well and seeing where it's going for me. To be quite honest, I would like to give a crack at the global tournament, maybe, if there's an opportunity for me. I've seen many guys pulling out in that tournament. And that's what happens in tournaments, people pull out. So I'm going to look to jump in and crack on with that.

DN: Do you have a name in your head after this fight?

LM: Anyone. Anyone can get it. I don't really focus on who I want, really, because I look at all these guys and I feel like they probably want to fight me more than I want to fight them because they know I'm going to be the next person coming up. I'm the next star. So I feel like, see all these guys, they can have the smoke if they really want it, because if they get agreed to fight me, then I'm ready for it. But I guarantee if someone pulls out of this global tournament, I'll be the one getting shouted to come and join.

DN: You're only 24 years old. Do you have the level for the belt right now or do you have to wait a few years?

LM: I can see a few years because of my development, because I am so young. But I look at the World Tournament right now and I don't see anyone as a major, major threat to me. Don’t get me wrong, everyone's a threat - we’re human, we're fighting. I'm not delusional, I can see all these great fighters in the tournament, but I know I can beat these guys. So I’d actually give it a crack now. Worst comes to worst - touch wood - say I do lose, I can just go again next year. I'm 24. Do you know what I mean? I'm only going to get better. So if there’s an opportunity, I’ll just take it as it comes.

DN: You will fight in the co-main event of PFL Belfast. Any prediction about the main event: Paul Hughes vs Bruno Miranda?

LM: I see Paul Hughes just winning any way he wants in round one, I'll be honest.

DN: Beyond this fight, what are your goals? You’re only 24 years old.

LM: My goals? Well, goals for this year? Make a shitload of money, knock every person out I fight, and then go to a nice hot country and just chill out after I've done it all.

DN: McGrizzla, where does your nickname come from?

LM: How I talk to you now, I'm just Lewis. But when I fight, I become something else. I turn into a different fighter - whether it's a grizzly [bear], like an animal - it's something crazy. And that’s what I become. That’s who I am when I'm in there, when I fight.

DN: When you are in the cage, it’s another person?

LM: 100%. That’s how it gets, because at the end of the day, it’s kill or be killed in there. We like to say: be the big grizzler, become a killer. That’s who I am.

DN: You train at Manchester Top Team with Lerone Murphy and Ibragim Ibragimov. Who is the toughest guy in your club?

LM: It all goes on different weights, I like to say. The team captain, obviously Lerone Murphy - sharp as anything. Great fighter. I've got Ibragimov, class wrestler, tough as anything, very well-rounded as well. He just needs to show it more during his fights. I've got one of my great training partners, Louis Lee Scott - always great to train with and stuff like that. He's getting his opportunities now. He fought in ARES in France. And now he's onto new opportunities, which will come out eventually. With everyone in the gym, it’s just killers. And that’s the reason why I'm doing so well - because I train with great guys.

DN: What is the key to your success?

LM: It was through hard work, and just great coaching in our gym, the consistency and the longevity of everyone putting into the gym - working hard, working as a team as well, focusing on people’s goals and fights and what’s coming through. We work together, even though it may be lonely in there, but in order to get to that moment, you need help. And we have the best help - we help each other out. It's like a family in there. And I feel as long as we all keep working hard, keep striving towards great performances, working on our craft, then the sky’s the limit for all of us - not just myself.

DN: There is a former Manchester United football legend who will make his MMA debut: Patrice Evra. What do you think of his choice?

LM: I think it’s fair play to him. Because at the end of the day, you can play football, but you can’t play fighting. Fighting is not playing. He’s not playing a game - it’s war as well. It’s a very primitive thing. So when I see him giving it a crack, I think fair enough to him, fair play to him at the end of the day, because he’s doing something different than anyone else is really doing. He’s had his day, and now he’s going to have the opportunity of fighting in MMA. So I wish him all the best.

DN: Dakota Ditcheva was in Manchester Top Team before. Now you have Sammy-Joe Luxton from your club, who is about to make her debut in PFL. Like Dakota, can she be a model for the younger generation?

LM: Like a next champion? 100%. But I don’t want to compare. I’ve trained with Dakota and stuff like that. I’m not saying she’s not going to completely be her, because Sammy is her own fighter. And Sammy has not shown her levels yet, which you haven’t seen. And I know how good Sammy is. Sammy is going to be a killer - a killer in there. And now she’s going to have this opportunity. She’s going to be Sammy-Joe Luxton. She’s not going to be the next someone. She’s going to be her own self. That’s how I look at it. It’s like when someone says to me, “Oh, you’re compared to such a person.” But really, I’m my own person. I am Lewis McGrillen. So this is the opportunity for Sammy now. She’s going to get this opportunity and she’s going to show how really good she is.