NEW YORK – Nick Newell’s first Bellator fight went according to plan.
With his “tryout” fight — a submission of Corey Browning at Bellator 225 —behind him, Newell (16-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) will look to make it two-for-two when he takes on Manny Muro (10-6 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) on the main card of Bellator 232.
“Last fight was my Bellator debut,” Newell told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “Kind of my ‘tryout,’ as I was calling it. I said I was going to make the most of it and I did exactly that. I went against a guy that was 2-0 in Bellator and he was kind of killing everyone’s hype. I finished it in the first round. I felt good.”
It didn’t take long for Newell to hear back from his future bosses. The Bellator brass was impressed enough with “Notorious’” performance they signed Newell to a multi-fight deal.
Newell didn’t hesitate to sign on the dotted line when offered his Bellator deal, nor did he hesitate to accept the bout against Muro. When the bout offer came along, Newell was already in shape helping a teammate prepare for a fight.
“I didn’t get to sit down and relax a little bit because I went right into fight camp,” Newell said. “As soon as I got home, I had a training partner that was fighting next week so I went and trained with him and helped him get ready.
“By the time that was over, I got a call from Scott (Coker) and he wanted me to fight again in Connecticut. So 100 percent, I said, ‘I’m in. I’m gonna do it. Let’s go.’ They came to me with the fight, I liked it, and everything just came into place.”
As he reflected on his training camp for Bellator 232, Newell said everything had clicked on all cylinders. Fans should expect to see the best Nick Newell possible on fight night. He feels the difference between himself and Muro will be high-level experience.
“I know he’s good,” Newell said. “I’m sure he’s prepared. I’m sure he’s motivated to have this opportunity to fight on the main card of Bellator. I’m sure he feels like this is going to be his big break, but I’m super motivated.
“I’ve been doing this for over 10 years. I’m ready. I’ve been ready to show I’m one of the best in the world. I’ve had opportunities and I’ve won big fights. I’ve lost big fights and I know what it’s like to be out there. I know where I stand because I’ve been in there with all of these guys… This is my platform and this my time. Everything is falling into place. I feel fantastic.”
After successful tryout, Nick Newell expects 'perfect storm' at Bellator 232
