Ronny Markes explains decision to sign with Bellator over other promotions

HONOLULU – Ronny Markes will be making his Bellator debut this Friday.

The Brazilian fighter takes on Josh Barnett in the Bellator 235 main event in Hawaii. Barnett will also be debuting in the promotion. Markes (19-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), a former UFC and PFL fighter, feels Bellator offers a great opportunity for him to fight known names – like Barnett, a former UFC champion – which is why he decided to sign with the organization.

“I feel great. This is a great opportunity for my career, especially because I’m fighting a guy that’s a legend in this sport,” Markes said. “I really like this fight to test myself. Bellator is a great organization and it’s getting better and better and better. I’m happy to be here.

“I had a few organizations (interested in signing me). My manager Ali (Abdelaziz) talked to a few organizations and I think Bellator gave us a very good … the fights they bring for us are great. I’m happy to fight Josh, who’s a legend.”

The bout with Barnett will be going down at heavyweight. Markes made a name for himself in the UFC and PFL fighting in the light heavyweight and middleweight divisions.

He thinks the cut to 185 pounds damaged his body, and that’s why he’s fighting at a more natural weight.

“I feel great. I just finished lunch and I’m eating normal,” Markes said. “I eat clean you know, but it was so hard in the time I fought for other organizations and fought at 185. It broke my body because normally I walked around 225, 220 (pounds) and then in the weeks I ate a lot of bad things, you know. My weight never passed 225, 227, but in my first time I made 185 my weight came to 230, the second time 240, and I think the days I was fighting at 185 it broke my metabolism, my body. Now I feel great and I’m going to test myself with Josh.”