Two rising featherweight prospects will meet at Bellator 151, as Japanese-Brazilian Goiti Yamauchi faces Bubba Jenkins in Thackerville, Okla., on March 4. Sources close to the situation confirmed the match-up to MMAFighting.com.
Yamauchi (19-2) holds a 5-1 record inside the Bellator cage with four stoppage victories, while Jenkins (10-2) knocked out four opponents in his 7-2 run in the promotion.
"Winning this fight, I want and demand my shot at the title," Yamauchi told MMAFighting.com. I’m focused on this fight. It’s do or die for me, all or nothing. I’m going there to rip his head off."
"He’s an athletic guy," he continued. "He’s not at the top of his abilities yet, but he has great wrestling, and that’s something that can become a problem for anyone," he said. "I will do what I know. I don’t train wrestling at all, but I believe in my weapons to finish the fight standing or on the ground. I’m a jiu-jitsu guy, and I’m going there to submit him and prove my art is better than his."
If he’s victorious on March 4, Yamauchi hopes he’s next against featherweight champion Daniel Straus.
"It’s not up to me. I don’t understand their decisions, if they consider just marketing or business when they give title shots, but I deserve it," said the 145-pound prospect. "I have five wins in the promotion, and I believe it’s my time.
"Fans are tired of seeing the same guys fighting each other, Pat Curran, Patricio (Pitbull) and Daniel. It’s boring. I want to show something else that is missing in this division. I believe in myself and in what I can do."