Bellator returns to the Mohegan Sun Arena this Friday with Bellator 243. The card will be headlined by a rematch between Michael Chandler and Benson Henderson. In their first meeting, Chandler got a split decision win over Henderson. The co-main event will see heavyweight Matt Mitrione take on Timothy Johnson. Other fights include Curtis Millender taking on Sabah Homasi, Myles Jury facing Georgi Karakhanyan, and Valerie Loureda battling Tara Graff.
On Wednesday, Bellator 243 fighters talked to the media about their upcoming fights. Among the fighters who spoke to media were Michael Chandler, Benson Henderson, Matt Mitrione, Timothy Johson, Curtis Millender, Sabah Homasi, Georgi Karakhanyan, Myles Jury, and Valerie Loureda.
Benson Henderson
Former UFC lightweight champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson (28-8) will look to redeem his previous split decision loss to Michael Chandler. Henderson talked about training during the COVID pandemic, rematching Chandler, watching Chandler’s fights, and goals before retirement.
Michael Chandler
Former Bellator lightweight champion “Iron” Michael Chandler (20-5) will look to get his second win over Benson Henderson. He talks about training during COVID-19, evolving as an MMA fighter, training for Henderson the second time around, fighting for RIZIN, Japanese fans, not being interested in fighting Tofiq Musayev, and no fans in the arena.
Matt Mitrione
Former UFC fighter and Ultimate Fighter contestant Matt Mitrione (13-7) will look to get back on winning column after his loss to Sergei Kharitonov. Mitrione talked about training and preparing for a camp during the COVID-19 pandemic, his thoughts on his opponent, working on his house on his off time, fighting in RIZIN/Japan, training squirrels, and being a “professional prostitute.”
Timothy Johnson
Heavyweight Timothy Johnson (13-6) looks to get his second win in a row with his fight against Matt Mitrione. Johnson talks about training during COVID, if he’s going to wrestle Mitrione, thoughts on Mitrione as a fighter, rematching Minakov and/or Kongo, why he doesn’t like the name “Prospect Killer,” and playing State of Decay while in his hotel room.
Curtis Millender
Welterweight Curtis Millender (18-5) will be facing Sabah Homasi at Bellator 243. Millender talks about training during COVID-19, his thoughts on Homasi, his advantages in the fight, fighting Paul Daley, video games, and fighting in front of no crowd.
Sabah Homasi
Sabah Homasi (13-8) will look to extend his win streak to three fights with a win over Curtis Millender. He talks about training during COVID, how he plans to beat Millender, why he thinks COVID is “bullsh*t” and not as big of a deal, what he was doing at the beginning of the pandemic, and the recent explosion in Beirut, Lebanon.
Myles Jury
Myles Jury (18-5) will look to get his second win in Bellator with a win over Georgi Karakhanyan. He talks about his opponent, training during the pandemic, feeling “fresh” as a fighter, his Youtube channel, and fighting in front of no audience.
Georgi Karakhanyan
Georgi Karakhanyan (29-10-1) will look for his second win in 2020 in his fight against Myles Jury. He talks about fighting in front of no audience, fighting again in Japan, his opponent, his pick for Chandler/Henderson 2, and training during COVID.
Valerie Loureda
Undefeated women’s flyweight Valerie Loureda (2-0) will look to continue her undefeated streak against Tara Graff (1-1). She talks about training during COVID, Graff’s comment that her social media promotion is “demoralizing,” fighting again in 2020, and her diamond mask.
Bellator 243 airs live at 10 pm EST on the Paramount Network Friday, August 7. Prelims start at 7:15 pm on Bellator’s Youtube channel.
