Magomed Magomedov got here up quick the primary time, however as he sees it, issues have modified.
Second possibilities don’t all the time come, however Friday at Bellator Champions Sequence: Paris, Magomedov (20-3) will get one as he rematches bantamweight champion Patchy Combine (19-1) at Accor Area in Paris.
“Truthfully, that is excellent state of affairs for me, so with one shot I can kill each rabbits, proper?” Magomedov advised reporters by way of an interpreter at a digital information convention Tuesday. “I can get my revenge and likewise get the Bellator title, the one that each one the fighters are .”
The double alternative Magomedov sees is half-title shot and half-vengeance. Magomedov and Combine fought in a non-title grand prix bout in December 2022. Combine put Magomedov to sleep with a guillotine choke in Spherical 2.
This time, Magomedov predicts a distinct final result. He thinks he himself has improved, whereas Combine has remained the identical.
“The entire preparation and coaching camp was completely totally different, reasonably than the primary one. One factor I can gaurantee is that within the cage you’ll see one other tiger, not the one you noticed earlier than with Patchy Combine. This, I can promise.”
“I feel you will notice a extra aggressive Magomed who will push the tempo and transfer ahead. I’ve tuned myself for the five-round battle. It’s truly not going to be a battle. It’s going to be a brawl.”
“After our final battle, he made two extra wins. I’m positive he’ll get extra assured. On the psychological aspect, he’s extra assured. Stylistically and technical-wise, I consider he’s the identical. Nothing a lot has modified for him.”
Ought to he stroll away from Friday’s bout with championship gold, Magomedov hopes the celebrities align to maintain the revenge tour going. High contender Raufeon Stots (20-2) is the opposite man to carry a Bellator win over Magomedov, who hopes to make it two-for-two in rematches below the promotion’s banner.
“Nicely, if every little thing went excellent on this battle, I’d like to have my first title protection with Raufeon, as you talked about,” Magomedov stated. “The identical factor. I’ve to defend my title, but when the title protection goes to be a battle that I can avenge my loss, that’ll be very best. Let’s say 2024 I’m setting the aim that it is going to be the ‘Yr of Revenge.’”
“… I feel (a title battle) is the final step on the ladder that I’m strolling on. It’s sort of like profitable an Olympic sport to get this title. That is the aim {of professional} athletes {and professional} fighters. This evening and this belt would be the thrill of my profession.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion web page for Bellator Champions Sequence: Paris.
You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.