Goiti Yamauchi (28-5 MMA, 14-4 BMMA) faces the biggest test of his career as he looks to break into title contention with a win at Bellator 292. Yamauchi will take on No. 2-ranked welterweight Michael “Venom” Page (20-2 MMA, 16-2 BMMA) in a featured bout on Friday.
Yamauchi is on a three-fight winning streak and has also won six of his last seven bouts. The last two victories have come in the welterweight division, where the Bellator vet has put the entire division on notice since coming up from lightweight.
“It’s easier to not cut the weight, and to focus on preparing for the fights,” Yamauchi told MMA Underground.
“It’s been amazing. I think I am doing pretty good.
“I feel pretty good. I feel this is my weight class. The last few performances speak for themselves, with a dominant submission and another dominant knockout.”
The winning streak includes a submission win over Levan Chokheli and a knockout win over Neiman Gracie in his last bout. The win over Gracie was special because not only did it put Goiti on the welterweight map, but he also has respect for Gracie.
“I have huge respect for Neiman because he is not just a Gracie,” Yamauchi said. “He made a path for himself. He’s a great grappler, so it means a lot to me. He is one of the best welterweights out there, so it was a great win. He put me in the rankings, and now I can fight for the No. 1 contender spot.”
Yamauchi will now square off with the man known as “MVP,” and he quickly realized that this was the opportunity he had been looking for.
“That’s the fight I wanted; I was really happy when I was offered ‘MVP,’” Yamauchi said. “This is my chance to take the number one contender spot.”
“When we talk about style, that’s interesting. We are two different guys with two different styles. He’s a pure striker, and I’m a pure grappler. What is the best? Striking or grappling? I’m excited. We’ll see what is best. I don’t think size matters in this contest. I think I’m the better fighter and the better man. I will finish the fight.”
Yamauchi currently sits at No. 5 in the Bellator welterweight division, and a win over the No. 2-ranked Page may give him the case to challenge for the title.
“A win over ‘MVP’ puts me in the No. 1 spot, and I’m next to fight for the title,” Yamauchi said. “I’ll give everything that I have, just like I did in this camp. My mindset is to kill.”
Check out the full interview in the video above.
The Bellator 292 main card airs live on Showtime (10 p.m. ET) following prelims on YouTube (7 p.m. ET). Tickets are available at Ticketmaster.com.
