This Friday night at Bellator 222 Brazil’s Neiman Gracie (9-0) will be challenging the Bellator welterweight champion Rory McDonald (20-5-1) in the co-main event of the evening.
The fight is a semi-final of the promotion’s grand prix. The 30-years-old fighter has the chance to capture his first Bellator title if he manages to get the W and he’ll be one step closer to the big prize of $1 million.
The other finalist in the tournament is Douglas Lima (31-7) who defeated Michael Page in the other semi-final last month.
.@NeimanGracie advances to the next round of the welterweight Grand Prix! #BellatorWGP pic.twitter.com/I10VyAJtc1
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 16, 2018
Here’s an interview with the BJJ black belt (via MMA Junkie):
How’s your training camp going?
If a team is winning, there’s no reason to change. I’m doing all the things I’ve always done at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York. I work on my muay thai and wrestling here – everything, really. Training has been going great. And it’s no secret that I plan to take Rory down and get a submission. Since everyone knows my gameplan, I have to stay very sharp to make it happen.
You’re about to fight for the Bellator welterweight belt. You’re undefeated, with eight submission wins. Can you talk about your career up to this point?
I’m very happy with the way my career has come along. I’m very happy with all the victories I’ve achieved. They’re the product of the very hard work I’ve been putting in for years. I was able to demonstrate that I’m on a high level in my last my fight (a submission win over Ed Ruth at Bellator 213). Everything has prepared me to face Rory MacDonald for the championship belt. I believe it’s my destiny to be a champion. I’ll give everything I have to make that happen on June 14. Everything has worked out as expected. I can’t wait.
What can you say about Rory MacDonald?
Bellator 222: Start time, price, how to watch Rory MacDonald vs. Neiman Gracie fight, full card https://t.co/cWyAbMhh0I pic.twitter.com/dVZRbvY8ey
— Sporting News Fights (@sn_fights) June 10, 2019
He is one of the best fighters in our weight class. In my opinion, he’s in the top five, possibly top three, in the world. I expect a very difficult fight. I expect to be the winner. And, if all goes well, I expect to win by submission.
You’re fighting for the belt, and if you become champion, your next step would be to face former champ Douglas Lima with a $1 million dollar prize up for grabs. Does that put extra pressure on you?
I’ve always dealt with pressure throughout my career. I’m used to it. I try not to think too far ahead. I think about the present. I have a great opponent I’ll try to beat now. After the fact, then maybe I’ll think about the grand finale and the prize money. I’m working hard to be ready for this bout.
Anything else?
I’ll give my best on June 14, so I can bring this belt to my family.
