Lance Gibson Jr. happy with Bellator 232 performance, but says expect a whole new version next time

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Despite notching quick first-round finish Saturday, Lance Gibson Jr. thinks he has a lot more to show.

Gibson (3-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) made good on his Bellator debut, with a TKO of Dominic Jones at Bellator 232. After stuffing a couple of Jones’ takedown attempts, Gibson was able to sprawl, climb onto his back, and rain punches down until the referee stopped the fight less than two minutes into the opening round.

After the fight at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Gibson said while he’s happy with his performance, expect a more refined version in his next outing.

“I made a statement – not exactly what I wanted to, but I did my job,” Gibson said. “I went in there, finished the fight quickly, did an awesome job for the fans. Next time, you’re going to see superior striking. You’re going to see something totally different. You’re going to see a whole new MMA athlete coming out.”

But his focus now lies on his teammate, featherweight champion Julia Budd, who is married to Gibson’s father and coach, Lance Gibson Sr. Budd defends her title againts one of the best female fighters of all time, former Strikeforce, Invicta FC and UFC 145-pound champ Cris Cyborg, in January.

“We’ve got Julia Budd, the four-time world champion, coming up on Jan. 25 at the Forum (in Los Angeles),” Gibson said. “Her job is to go in and defeat Cyborg and become the five-time world champion, so this is just back-to-back for my camp at Gibson MMA. My dad, Lance Gibson Sr., he’s taught me since I was 2 years old.”

But Gibson said he’s not interested in sharing the card with Budd. He wants to make sure he’s fully focused on helping her prepare for one the biggest fights of her career. Then he’ll get back to work for himself afterward.

“We’ve got a team that’s solid, and it’s going to be back and forth,” Gibson said. “Julia’s going to go in, retain her title, and then I’m going to go in shortly after that. I feel great, and have my next fight as well.”