Brogan "the Arm Collector" Anderson successfully defended his XFC Middleweight title last Saturday, October 17, with a first-round submission win over veteran Cole Davids, by way of kimura arm-lock.

The bout headlined the XFC 45 card in Dunedin, in front of a crowd of approximately 600 fans at the Edgar Centre.

Anderson emerged virtually unscathed from the bout, which takes his record to 14-3 in professional MMA, with his sights set on more international competition. The 31-year-old fights out of Hammerhead MMA in his hometown of Dunedin, also taking on full-time coaching responsibility there.

Fight News' Harry Greenfield caught up with Brogan to ask him a few questions after his victory.

Hi Brogan. Your title defence on Saturday night seemed to go perfectly. Did it go as you expected?
"Yeah, there was nothing surprising there. I respected his striking but I knew I would be more than comfortable striking with him as well.

"I knew that I would have an advantage in the wrestling and grappling department if it went that way.

"That was something I really worked on, establishing a good top position. I know I've got a really good kimura but it's something people haven't been able to see yet in my other fights.

"I was able to execute it pretty much perfectly, so that was good."

Did you see your opponent's prediction that he was going to submit you?
"Yeah, I read the article. He pretty much dismissed my striking as being terrible. That was funny.

"It didn't irk me, he's just doing his job, talking and building his own confidence at the same time.

"The thing that was funny was that he said I hadn't collected any arms in a while."

Anderson finishing the fight last Saturday night, 17 October, with a kimura (photo: SMGullery Combat Sport)

You're known as a strong grappler. Did you learn your skills purely from MMA training?
"I competed in wrestling a long time ago, but all of my wrestling training has been part of MMA training."

Are you ranked in BJJ?
"Nope, I'm still a white belt. I actually just got in the gi for the first time a few weeks ago."

Where did you start your training?
"I started at Hammerhead, but I've been all over the place. I trained over in the States for a few years at Jackson-Wink, as well.
 

"I try and split my time between Dunedin and up at City Kickboxing."

Are there any contenders in the XFC Middleweight ranks that stand out as potential challengers to your title?
"In Australia there are guys who would be good contenders, but I've really got my eye on higher honours moving forward.

"I wanna try to secure a UFC contract, I think I've done enough. I'm on a five-fight win streak and I don't think I need to do much more."

After seeing Matt Vaile triumph as well on Saturday, is that rematch something that is on your radar?
"No, not at all. I've moved on from that. I won't go back down to welterweight again.

"I'm happy for Matt, he's a fantastic fighter and I just want to see him do well. He's another guy that deserves a shot at the UFC. I'd love to see him get it."

With (Kiwi) Carlos Ulberg getting his shot on Dana White's Contender Series, is that the avenue that you are trying to pursue into the UFC?
"I would rather pursue a contract directly. I mean, I would definitely go on the Contender Series, but I think I've done enough that I should get a contract directly.

How do you stack up against those UFC Middleweights?
"I've trained with plenty of guys that are in the UFC and I know I can compete. I'm getting better and better as the years go on as well.

"I know I'm ready now. I can get in there and mix it up and beat some dudes in their middlweight division."

Awesome. I look forward to watching that! Thanks for the interview Brogan.

Keep an eye on the Hammerhead MMA and XFC Facebook pages for updates on Brogan Anderson's next fight.