When Ethan Pauley makes his CFFC 147 debut in Florida, it won’t just mark his first appearance for the promotion — it will be for a vacant welterweight championship. For the Michigan State University alum and Warrior Way Martial Arts product, the moment is less about nerves and more about confirmation.
“I don’t see it as anything more daunting than what I’ve done before,” Pauley said. “Besides flying to Florida, it’ll feel the exact same to me. A cage is a cage. I try to block out all unnecessary noise in that regard. I’m coming home with the CFFC welterweight belt wrapped around my waist.”
Building the foundation at Warrior Way
Pauley credits much of his rapid rise to the culture inside his gym. Training out of Warrior Way Martial Arts, one of Michigan’s oldest and most respected academies, he has surrounded himself with world-class coaches and teammates.
“My training at Warrior Way is the reason I’ve gotten this far and the reason for all the skills I’ve built and honed,” Pauley said. “It’s one of the original, true martial arts gyms in Michigan. I couldn’t ask for a better place to spend the majority of my time.”
That environment has helped sharpen a skill set that’s already proven dangerous. Six of Pauley’s seven professional wins have come by submission — a finish rate that makes him one of the division’s more threatening grapplers. Yet he insists he takes a balanced approach. “I don’t take any fight lightly. I go into each one with full dedication,” he said.
As Ethan Pauley prepares for CFFC 147, he believes those lessons will be the difference when the belt is on the line.
Always evolving
Asked about the toughest challenge of his career, Pauley resists singling out a name. Instead, he points to the way each contest has shaped him.
“Each opponent I’ve faced has brought something different to the table,” Pauley explained. “I grow after each contest, and my skills grow alongside. I’m a different fighter every time I step in the cage. Like the Heraclitus quote says: ‘No man ever steps in the same river twice. For it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.’”
That philosophy will carry into his showdown with Kevin “Sweet Peas” Pease. While Pauley jokes about keeping things simple — “My game plan for Kevin is to go in there and hit him with some good shit, not get hit, and walk out with a pocket full of cash,” he laughed, paraphrasing Nate Diaz — the confidence comes from a foundation of discipline and preparation.
For Ethan Pauley, CFFC 147 is another chance to show that growth in real time.
Faith, balance, and next steps
Outside of MMA, Pauley works as a personal trainer, channeling the same energy he brings to the gym into helping clients build fitness and confidence. But above all, he points to his faith as a compass.
“God first, because I put my faith in the Lord,” Pauley said. “He guides me, and through His will I’m able to perform to my highest capabilities. I walk in knowing I have the Lord in my heart.”
Looking ahead, Pauley has his eyes on the sport’s highest stage. With teammate Austin Bashi already signed to the UFC, Pauley’s vision is clear: “I want to be able to fight on the same card with him next year.”
The only real obstacle, he admits, has been outside the cage. “The biggest non-fight obstacle is probably putting myself out there more on social media. I just forget to take pictures or record videos. That’s hindered my reach, especially when it comes to gaining more sponsors.”
As Pauley targets CFFC 147, he sees it as one more step toward matching his teammate on the UFC roster.
The next chapter for Ethan Pauley at CFFC 147
If Pauley gets past Pease and captures CFFC gold, the welterweight prospect will have taken another decisive step toward the UFC. With a high finish rate, a relentless training base, and a grounded mindset, the Michigan native seems poised for the opportunity.
“I don’t need to prepare any differently than I already have,” Pauley said. “Every fight gets my full dedication. This one’s no different — except I plan to walk out with a belt.”
To read more about his opponent Kevin “Sweet Peas” Pease and his perspective heading into CFFC 147, click here.
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