Jaylon Bates focused on ending fights once again, willing to beat up every bantamweight in division
Jaylon Bates has had nothing but success to begin his professional fighting career, with all of his fights having come with Bellator MMA since 2020, and heading into Bellator 298 this weekend, he’s looking to getting back into the finishing column. Training with Team Bodyshop with Antonio and A.J. McKee, “New Breed” Bates has seen his last two fights go to the judges, after reeling off four straight submission victories.
Coming into his matchup against Enrique Barzola this weekend, Bates will be facing a tough-veteran who has more fights than any of his Bates’ previous opponents, yet the only thing on the mind of Jaylon Bates is getting a finish. Speaking to the media on Wednesday, he spoke about wanting to get back to finishing opponents, open to fighting everyone in the division, and a future at 145-pounds after he’s won and defended the bantamweight title in the future.
“Whoever Bellator puts in front of me, just finishing, that’s my goal. I want to get back in the finish column. I like finishing fight, I haven’t had a finish in eight months, that’s a long time for me. I want to get back to finishing opponents.”
When asked about his long-term goals for his career, Bates mentioned becoming the best bantamweight champion in Bellator history, proclaiming himself as the most violent fighter that Barzola has faced, and as a new Dad, he’s got a much bigger purpose to fight for.
“F**k, it’s amazing. I do everything for family now. All I’m doing is thinking about my baby girl, I love her, I can’t wait to get this fight done and get this finish, go and do some Father duties, go change some diapers, I’m happy being a father. It gives me more motivation because before I’m fighting for myself, now I’m fighting for my family.”
Even though he mentioned the possibility of a move to 145 in the future, that future is not anytime soon for Jaylon Bates, because he’s got business to take care of in the bantamweight division, even if it means beating everyone in the division.
“145 is when, I’m [currently] 26, at least 30, 31, give my body some time. First, it’s about getting the belt at ’35, defending the belt, however Bellator wants to match me up. I’ll go through the line. I’m fighting the number 9 guy, I’ll go fight the number 8, I’ll go fight the number 7, I’ll run it down all the way down the line, and even if I’m champion by 2025, that’s fine. I’ll be 28 and at least I’ll have 2-3 title defenses by the time I’m 30, then I’ll go up.
The future is bright for Jaylon Bates who at Bellator 298 will not only look to extend his winning streak to 8 to begin his professional career, but to also get back to finishing his opponents and leaving no doubt against whoever he faces in the bantamweight division, even if it’s everyone in the division.
