Tom Pagliarulo discusses move to Colorado ahead of DWCS debut

Tom Pagliarulo has detailed his recent relocation to Colorado as he prepares to compete in Week 1 of Dana White's Contender Series. The fighter moved from Massachusetts to seek a different training environment ahead of his upcoming bout against Ananias Mulumba on August 11.

Pagliarulo explained that while he enjoyed his time with the New England Cartel, he felt a change of scenery was necessary for his mental and physical development. He noted that while his former coaches and training partners were excellent, the number of available partners in his home state would occasionally decrease. This lack of consistency was a concern for him as he nears the possibility of fighting in the UFC.

The move involved a period of transition where Pagliarulo traveled to Colorado with his wife in January to train. After returning to Massachusetts to finalize affairs, he returned to Colorado a week later to maintain his preparation. His former coaches in Massachusetts supported the decision, suggesting that a new environment might be required to reach his professional goals.

Pagliarulo stated that he wanted to be around high-level talent such as Justin Gaethje and Cory Sandhagen to find a new sense of motivation. He believes the new culture and training processes in Colorado have left him feeling refreshed. He aims to use this new environment to build more confidence in his preparation.

With a professional record of 10-2 and eight knockout victories, Pagliarulo believes a finish is the best way to secure a contract. He intends to remain disciplined for the full 15 minutes of the fight, noting that his knockouts often occur when he maintains that discipline. His matchup against Mulumba is scheduled for Tuesday at 7pm EST on Paramount+.