Bellator 232: After defeating Nick Newell, Manny Muro hopes for Bellator deal and another big-name opponent
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – With just one Bellator fight to his name when the call came – and a hat-trick of successive losses at the top of his fight record – Manny Muro didn’t hesitate when Bellator came looking for an opponent to face Nick Newell at Bellator 232. Muro said yes, prepared meticulously, and got the split-decision victory on the scorecards.
Muro was still buzzing after his victory when he faced the media at the post-fight press conference and waxed lyrical about his enthusiasm for the opportunity that presented itself.
“When I got this fight offered to me, I jumped on it, because I know that Nick is a quality opponent and he had a big, huge fanbase, and I’m trying to make my mark as a martial artist that I’m world class as well,” he said.
“He’s a quality guy, he’s going to have a great career. He’s going to go on to do amazing things. But I’ve seen this as my opportunity to make a stand. They made it part of my contract that if I did put on a show right here that I would get a contract, and I want to be a signed Bellator fighter. I want to represent the company. They took care of me and my team from top to bottom, and it was just world-class.”
Muro (11-6 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) was largely unfancied as a potential winner heading into his bout with Newell (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) but, after leaving no stone unturned during his training camp, he produced a competitive display to outpoint “Notorious” on two of the three judges’ scorecards and claim his second victory as a Bellator fighter.
“We almost over-prepared,” he said. “We were meticulous. My main training partners were ONE FC fighters, Bellator fighters, UFC fighters. And when you go against that type of competition, that prepares you for moments like this.
“You have to prepare for moments like this, and I felt like we were prepared. We settled down, and we got into positions that were favorable for us, and it ended up turning out in our favor, so thank God for all that.”
Muro says he’s shooting for the stars and hopes to snag himself a big-name opponent for his next matchup. He even had a specific opponent in mind as he called his shot from the dais for a fight against former Bellator lightweight champion Brent Primus.
“The reason I say that – and no disrespect to Brent at all – I want to fight for that ’55 title,” he smiled. “I’m 2-0 in this promotion. Yes, I’ve had some adversity, but if your dreams aren’t scaring you, you’re not dreaming hard enough. That’s my dream. It’s nothing against Brent, but I want that belt.”
Muro has made the most of his opportunity thus far, and now he hopes he can represent his home state with pride as a contracted Bellator fighter moving forward.
“Being from Oklahoma and my area, there’s not a lot of people who get opportunities like this,” he explained. “Mark my words right here: If Bellator signs me to a contract, I am coming for that belt.
“I have gotten through the bumps and bruises in this sport – everybody wins and everybody loses. But I am coming here to make a mark. I’m not just here to just be a part of the promotion. I’m trying to go to the highest level of this sport. I’m trying to do that for my Native American people. I’m trying to be an ambassador and show a little bit of my culture and what we’re all about.”
