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On November 15, MMA veteran Nam Phan will step inside the Bellator cage for the first time.
It was after his March 1, 2014 loss to Vaughn Lee at The Ultimate Fighter China Finale that Phan was cut from the UFC. The release didn’t come as a surprise, as he was on a three-fight losing skid, but it did fly under the radar.
“I’m not sure why a lot of ex-UFC fighters broadcast and let everybody know that they got cut,” Phan told MMASucka.com. “I think they want sympathy and I didn’t really care. I just thought, ok I got cut, lets move on. I didn’t want anybody to feel sorry for me or sympathy or pity from anyone, I just thought, ok lets continue with my life.”
The California native, who has fought at three different weight classes throughout his career had a tough time following those three losses. At 31-years of age, Phan may seem like a young man, but he has been a cage fighter since 2001 and retirement did cross his mind — but not for long.
“I was like man, this sucks, three losses in a row,” said Phan. “To me, I’ve got a lot of wear and tear on my body. I eat clean and I feel good — I still feel pretty young. So I’m just going to try to max out my youth while I can until I can’t train anymore or I can’t fight anymore. I don’t want to take too much damage, so I’m going to do the best I can to be intelligent about it.”
Getting cut by the UFC was like getting dumped by your girlfriend. It’s nothing ever too pleasant, but I don’t think it’s healthy to feel sorry for yourself. I think it’s good to just roll on with what’s going on and just accept it and move on.”
It took Phan just four months to get back in the swing of things. He fought two fights in Japan in a span of three-months and picked up two first round finishes. This was the first time Phan had finished an opponent since April 2010. This is the way Phan likes to get it done — in and out as quick as possible.
“Finishing is always good and early is even better. I think every fighter wants to get in and get out as soon as possible, with the least injury as possible. I just want to get in, finish and go home. No pain.”
Following those two victories, the Ma Du Academy fighter was signed by Bellator MMA. Phan, like any other fighter wants to get paid what he deserves and in order for that to happen he had to get a few wins under his belt.
“It was good. If I fight I want to get paid pretty decently, you want to get paid the most you can, doing what you love. If I wanted to get signed by a bigger organization, I wouldn’t get signed with a three-fight losing streak, so I figured I just had to do my best to rack up some wins. Bellator gave me the call and said I could come to San Diego and they wanted me to be on the card.”
At Bellator 131, Phan will make his promotional debut against the always dangerous Mike Richman. The 29-year-old made his 135-pound debut at Bellator 126 in December when he finished Ed West by knockout. Phan believes his opponent has a great game, but he is just more technically sound.
“He has very good boxing, very slick, great gas and he’s tough as nails. Pretty solid wrestling, tough to takedown and he can take you down when he wants. I think if we get to the ground, technically I think I’m more sound, grappling wise, submission wise.”
If you had seen either of Phan’s fights with Leonard Garcia under the UFC banner, then you know he brings everything to the table. He feels that this fight will be no different and fans should definitely tune in.
“You know what’s going to happen, we’re going to brawl. It’s gonna be good times and a lot of fireworks.”
Bellator 131 goes down on November 15 from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California.
