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With recent losses by other top contenders, Bellator MMA lightweight Goiti Yamauchi has jumped to the front of Bellator’s 155-pound title contention line. However, with division kingpin Patricio Freire busy with an upcoming semifinals bout in the featherweight grand prix, a title fight is unlikely in the 27-year-old’s near future. Assuming he scores a fourth straight victory on Dec. 10 at Bellator 254, Yamauchi believes only one fight would make sense next: A matchup between arguably the two best grapplers in the promotion with himself on one side and former division champion Brent Primus on the other.
“Six months ago, I asked for two fights. Brent Primus or Benson Henderson. But Henderson is coming off two losses so it’s not that interesting anymore. I respect Ben Henderson, but he competed in the welterweight division last time, so I don’t even know what’s his goals. Is he taking seriously [getting] the belt? I don’t know. I know Brent Primus takes it very serious. He wants the belt back. It’s a fight that makes sense for me. I believe 100 percent in myself. I think my grappling is way better than his. He knows that. But first, Nate [Andrews]. Then we can talk afterwards.”
In his conversation with Sherdog, Yamauchi also spoke on the difficulties in the lead up to his win in December of last year and if his health issues at the time could have been COVID-19 related. Also, he talked on the memorable moments of seeing his Japanese relatives for the first time in many years. Plus, he broke down his upcoming bout with Professional Fighters League veteran Nate Andrews and why his style of grappling is something the Rhode Island native has never been tested by previously.
