BUILDING BETTER - Josh Altum Approaching New Heights Against UFC Veteran

AUSTIN – Step by step, piece by piece, fighters build their careers. It’s never easy, and often the most critical pieces in their legacy are the hardest challenges to overcome. In Melee Fighting Championship 5, Texas’s Josh Altum will face perhaps the most critical challenge of his career: facing off against a UFC-level competitor in Collin Anglin. A passionate and dedicated fighter, Altum has worked tirelessly to achieve his goals, and he sees that his efforts will soon push him to his next level.

In an interview with Clear Life Media, Altum said, “I could have taken an easier fight, I could have taken a guy that hasn’t been in the UFC or whatever. But when this came across with the platform they have, all the viewers it’s going to have, and the resume that he’s had, it only will add to my resume.”

Altum’s professional record is 6-3, and he is currently ranked the #16 lightweight in Texas. There’s little doubt that he has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and his confidence in himself is strong enough that it has bubbled over into some frustration.

“There’s two guys in the UFC right now – one that I’ve fought, and one that’s pulled out of f ighting me twice… so I’m watching [those guys] now, and I’m just irritated that I’m not up there right now,” said Altum.

However, if there were ever truly a time to demonstrate his prowess, it would be in the oncoming showdown. While those two fighters had yet to be in the UFC at the times they were matched against Altum, Collin Anglin has already set foot in the octagon. Anglin currently holds a professional record of 10-6 and is ranked the #6 lightweight in his home state of Michigan. Despite an extensive career and much experience, Altum calls his combat ability into doubt.

“I’m trying to give him as much credit as I can, but as much experience as he [has], I don’t think he’s that good,” said Altum. “I think he makes a lot of beginner mistakes still, I think he’s really basic. I think he’s got a style I can capitalize on and make a statement.”

The two fighters have been fighting for similar amounts of time, with Altum having started his career in 2014, and Anglin having started his in 2015. Both fighters have spent the majority of their careers at 145 lbs., and have only recently moved up in weight class to the 155 lb. mark. While moving weight classes is usually a strenuous undertaking, Altum has settled into his new weight with little struggle, owing to his experience with heavier sparring partners. In fact, he thinks he has more room to grow as a lightweight fighter.

“The only doubt that was there was me putting weight on,” said Altum. “I spar with big guys all the time. You know, me and [Alex] Morono were going at it just last week… but the biggest thing I was thinking about is I need to be ready for those strong guys at ’55. I’m still at a place now where I can, not exactly put weight on, but keep adding more strength.”

His previous fight against Josh Augustine at Elevate Fight Night 5 was his first professional bout at the new weight, and it serves as a good example of how threatening Altum can truly be as a heavier fighter. Augustine spent the duration of the match attempting to work Altum with kicks, and Altum claimed victory when a successful defense caused Augustine’s knee to break.

“The experience I took from that was, it was good for me to have someone kicking me as hard as they can,” said Altum. “I felt how durable I am at this weight. At ’45 I probably wouldn’t be able to take as many of those kicks like that, because I’m so skinny. But, at ’55 I’m so different. You know, my durability, everything else is increased.”

That Altum has built so much in his career and that he still sees room to grow speaks strongly to his motivation as a fighter. His next pieces are already in place: growing into his new weight class, and fighting a UFC-level competitor. All that remains is to secure those pieces, and keep building.

Melee Combat Championship 5 will take place on 30 August, 2025, at the Palmer Event Center in Austin, Texas, and will be streamed live on twitch.tv. Get your tickets at https://meleefightleague.ticketspice.com/melee-combat-championship-5