John Salter on middleweight legacy and hometown love at Bellator 264
John Salter contends for the middleweight world championship when he takes on reigning, defending titleholder Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 264. The top of the marquee prizefight transpires on Friday, August 13th.
This contest takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, and broadcasts on Showtime.
I spoke with the number one ranked contender at 185 pounds. The excerpt from our media day interaction can be found below.
John Salter
As much as there has been some talk about you putting in work for a while. How it would have been good to get the title shot sooner.
But what I’ve been seeing on MMA Junkie, they put together a good piece. Talking about how you’re second in promotional history (for middleweights) behind Alexander Shlemenko for total bouts, amount of victories, finishes, et cetera.
As much as it would have been good to get the title shot sooner, how cool is it to be putting together stats like that and being in that rarefied air at 185 in Bellator?
“You know, I think that’s exciting. That’s what this is about, right. Getting out there, fighting, getting wins, and most importantly getting finishes. So like you said, while it didn’t work out the way I was asking for at the time, it’s been great every step of the way. And like I said this is God’s timing. It’s been on his time frame, not mine. And now we’re in the perfect spot.”
Also as a quick follow-up, I’m wondering what’s the level of fanfare in Gardendale, Alabama (Salter’s hometown) ahead of this one?
“I think we’ve got a lot of people tuning in and coming up for the fight. A lot of people traveling to make it up this week. So that’s gonna be great. I can’t wait to hear everybody out there in the crowd.”
