Fury, Four Fights, and the Future: Hayden Briers on Track and All In
Hayden Briers, the 44th-ranked pro bantamweight in the U.S. Southwest region, returns to action at Fury FC 107 in a bantamweight bout against Jackson Wink’s Anthony Valenzuela, ranked 105th. Briers is focused on staying active and climbing the ranks.
“If you ask me what my long-term goal is, it’d probably be to get to the UFC somehow or some way, eventually. Right now, my current goal is to fight four times before November, because November of last year is when I made my pro debut… Hopefully, I go 4-0 before November, and then I’ll kind of be on track of what I want to do.”
Even while traveling, he stays disciplined. “I always work out, eat clean. I feel in shape. I’ll train, I won’t be doing MMA training, but I always work out.”
Briers knows the business side of the sport plays a role. “You get two 7-0 guys, but one of them has 30,000 followers and the other has 2,000—you’re probably going to pick the 30,000 kid, even if he’s not as good. You’re bringing eyes to their promotion. It’s not important if you’re knocking people out—you’re going to get your chance either way—but I do think it makes it easier to get that chance.”
He’s no stranger to Fury, having fought for the promotion as an amateur. “I’m on a four-fight deal with them now, and I’m excited to fight with them again. I’m used to the cage—it does have a big fight feel. I got recognized at HEB and they were asking me about Fury. Everyone knows about Fury, especially in Houston.”
He’s built a trusted team around him for this camp, with training at Gator Boxing under Coach Jean, Peak Jiu Jitsu with Jon Satava, and War Training Center with Adam Copley. “Jon Satava understands the MMA side of grappling. You’re not going to hang out on bottom—he’s helped me with sweeps, staying on top.”
His weight cut strategy has evolved too, thanks to his manager Jason House, UFC featherweight Diego Lopes, and personal guidance from Jon Kinsky. “I’ve been going up in water. My last cut, I lost 5 pounds in an hour—that’s a lot for me. Then I cut another 3 or 4 in the morning. I’ve been smarter with sodium too. A lot of people cut out salt early, and that just makes you feel like you’re dying. I’ve had cuts where I thought I was going to die—like when I made 125 against Micah White. I’ll never do 125 again.”
With amateur experience at 125, Briers says 135 is now home. “I’m comfortable at 35. I started my cut today—Monday—and I’m 16 pounds out with five days to go.”
He continues to cross-train with fighters like Micah White and follows peers like Alden Coria who’ve recently received UFC calls. “It makes it more obtainable or realistic for those of us with six or seven fights.”
He’s also looking forward to watching the upcoming Jacob Silva vs. Paris Moran bout. “That’ll be a real good fight. They both have what me and Ivan have been calling the ‘clutch factor.’ They’re both able to pull off wins.”
As for past opponents, Briers mentioned interest in a rematch with Alex Rego. “Looking back at that fight, I’m like, that was such a close fight. I’d like to rematch him as a pro.”
Briers has found consistency, confidence, and a system that works. With every camp, his vision sharpens—and Fury 107 might just be the next step on his road to the UFC.
Fury Fighting Championship 107 will take place on Sunday, August 17th, 2025, and can be viewed on UFC Fight Pass, or in-person at Imagen Venues in Houston, Texas. Get your tickets at https://www.furyfc.tv/tickets/