Bellator 258 Media Day (Romero, Archuleta, and Pettis)
Bellator 258 Media Day took place ahead of the Friday, May 7th event. This card emanates from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and broadcasts on Showtime.
I spoke with promotional debutant Yoel Romero ahead of his light heavyweight grand prix bout against Anthony Rumble Johnson. Also, I spoke with Sergio Pettis and Juan Archuleta ahead of their clash for the bantamweight belt. Excerpts from all of those interactions can be found below.
Bellator 258 Media Day
My first question was for Yoel here because I’m noticing it’s closing in on a decade since the last time he’s competed as a light heavyweight. I’m kind of wondering how he feels, getting ready to return to competition at 205 pounds?
“Oh, it’s amazing. Yeah, it’s a lot of years ago. I can eat a little more. I’m training very happy. When I go to 185, I’m training happy too. But everybody knows when you can eat, everybody knows what I’m talking about. When you can eat, you have a little more energy. You train a little more happy, you know. I say, thank God for giving me the oportunity to stay in Bellator.”
Juan Archuleta vs Sergio Pettis
I was just curious because Sergio mentioned a bit earlier that this contest would be days after Cinco De Mayo and there’s such a great tradition of combat sports kind of coinciding with that.
I’ll posit the question first to Sergio but also curious to hear Juan’s thoughts, what are your feelings on being part of that kind of rich history coinciding with Cinco De Mayo, sort of?
Pettis said, “It’s awesome, man. Especially, you know, fighting two days after a big celebration. There’s always a big fight you know. There’s always legendary boxing fights. So to be in a legendary MMA fight under Bellator and fighting for a title, it’s an honor. It’s a blessing and I’m ready for this challenge. Excited for this challenge. Excited to show out for everybody for Cinco De Mayo. All my Hispanic fans and it’s awesome, man.”
Archuleta stated, “Yeah, for me, I mean it’s paying homage to my ancestors. Paying homage to my relatives and everyone that has been before me. That’s what it’s about. Come fight night, you’re going to be able to see that. Not me only wearing it but me going out there and performing it as well. So again it’s an honor to do that, it’s an honor to step on the stage with another Hispanic athlete that’s world renowned. Go out there and put on one of the best performances of my life.”
