Magomed Magomedov he failed the first time, but in his opinion, things have changed.
Second chances don’t always come, but Friday at Bellator Champions Series: ParisMagomedov (20-3) will get one in rematch with bantamweight champion Uneven mixing (19-1) at the Accor Arena, in Paris.
“Honestly, this is the perfect scenario for me, so with one shot I can kill both birds, right?” Magomedov told reporters through an interpreter at a virtual press conference on Tuesday. “I can get revenge and also win the Bellator title, the one that all fighters have their eyes on.”
The double opportunity that Magomedov sees is a fight for half title and half revenge. Magomedov and Mix fought in a non-title Grand Prix match in December 2022. Mix put Magomedov to sleep with a guillotine choke in the second round.
This time, Magomedov predicts a different outcome. He thinks he himself has improved, while Mix has remained the same.
“The entire preparation and training camp was totally different from the first. One thing I can guarantee is that in the cage you will see another tiger, not the one you saw before with Patchy Mix. That, I can promise.
“I think you will see a more aggressive Magomed, who will accelerate the pace and move forward. I prepared for the five round fight. It actually won’t be a fight. It’s going to be a fight.”
“After our last fight, he won two more victories. I’m sure he will be more confident. On the mental side, he is more confident. Stylistically and technically, I believe he is the same. Nothing much has changed for him.”
Should he emerge from Friday’s fight with championship gold, Magomedov hopes the stars align to continue his revenge tour. Main candidate Raufeon Stots (20-2) is the other man to beat Bellator over Magomedov, who hopes to make it two for two in rematches under the promotion’s banner.
“Well, if everything goes well with this fight, I would love to do my first title defense with Raufeon, like you mentioned,” said Magomedov. “Same thing. I have to defend my title, but if the title defense is a fight where I can avenge my loss, that will be ideal. Let’s say 2024 I’m setting the goal that it will be the ‘Year of Revenge’.”
“… I think (the title fight) is the last step on the ladder I’m climbing. It’s like winning an Olympic game to get that title. This is the goal of professional athletes and fighters. Tonight and this belt will be the thrill of my career.”
For more information on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page to Bellator Champions Series: Paris.
