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Bellator 183 winner Goiti Yamauchi on his speak-the-truth vision to become lightweight champ
Going into his lightweight fight against Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 183 eight days ago, Goiti Yamauchi didn’t show much regard for his opponent’s skills.
And that confidence in himself came in spite of the fact Piccolotti (9-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) came into the fight with Yamauchi (22-3 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) unbeaten. But Yamauchi backed up his talk with a second-round submission win at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., and put himself right in the mix at 155 pounds with his third wins since moving to the division.
“I always respect all fighters who step into the cage with me, or against anyone else,” Yamauchi told MMAjunkie. “But we’re not here to exchange caresses. We’re here to speak the truth. Everything that comes out of my mouth I feel from the bottom of my heart. He also said some things about me. He said I was too small for the division. He underestimated me. I said it would be easy – and that’s what I did.”
The submission win was Yamauchi’s sixth tapout victory in the eight times he’s had his hand raised under the Bellator banner. Was it enough to get a title shot?
Current champ Brent Primus is waiting for his wife to have a baby. The man he upset for the belt, Michael Chandler, is a prime candidate for an immediate rematch if ever there was one, it would seem.
So Yamauchi knows he may be playing a waiting game.
“I don’t get involved in Bellator’s politics when it comes to picking opponents,” he said. “Adam Piccolotti was supposed to face Brent Primus. Adam got hurt and Primus got his title shot. Both (Bellator 183 headliners) Patricky Freire and Ben Henderson were already sent to the back of the line (with title losses). I don’t know what will happen, honestly. They’re close to the top, so they may get another chance. I’m not sure.”
But regardless of whom Bellator puts in front of him, Yamauchi said he’s focused on a singular goal, and that’s getting a title shot of his own – and winning the belt.
And that might mean playing a little hardball when it comes to contract negotiations, and even taking a fight in Japan, the way another Bellator fighter, Brennan Ward, did nearly two years ago.
“I expect great fights ahead of me,” Yamauchi said. “I expect to fight for the title with one more good win, so I can prove I’m ready. My focus is to be the Bellator champion. I want to be the best in the world. That’s why I’m in this sport – to be the best. I’m not here on a whim or to show off. I’ll await the best offer after negotiations are done.”
For complete coverage of Bellator 183, check out the MMA Events section of the site.
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