Dominic Mazzotta ready to shock the doubters with last-minute Bellator bout

Looking back on his 2019, featherweight Dominic Mazzotta acknowledges it wasn’t his best year to date, but still, he was able to make some improvements, so it wasn’t a total wash.

After splitting his two fights last year, Mazzotta had to take time off to recover from an injury, missing out on a third potential fight in the process.

“I had to take a fight locally (against Chris Johnson), and it went good, but the Shawn Bunch fight I didn’t really fight how I thought I could fight,” Mazzotta told MMAWeekly.com. “I got hurt at the end of the year. I tore my meniscus. It wasn’t the best year, so I’m trying to take it further in 2020.

“I’ve been through a lot of injuries. I’ve been in this sport for 10-plus years, so I know what it’s like. It’s a pain in the ass, but you’ve got to have faith in yourself and faith in your talent, know that you’ll get back in there.”

Mazzotta’s time off allowed him to further work on his game, to which he feels as if he’s the best version of himself to date.

“I definitely think I’m better than I’ve ever been,” said Mazzotta. “I’m always training. Skills-wise I’m better than I’ve ever been.”

This Friday in Uncasville, Connecticut, Mazzotta (15-3) steps in as a last-minute replacement to face Leandro Higo (19-5) in a Bellator 241 featherweight preliminary bout.

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“I wish I had more time to prepare for this fight, but at the same time I’m already to fight,” Mazzotta said. “It won’t be much different. What it comes down to is two people fighting each other and anything can happen.

“I know a lot of people don’t think I can win this fight because of short notice, but I have a lot of confidence going into this fight. I really think that I can win this fight.”

While Mazzotta aims to improve upon his 2019, he’s going to take things one step at a time in 2020 and work his way through the year as each opportunity comes.

“I want to fight this fight and then May or June fight, and then maybe October,” said Mazzotta. “There’s a fight in late October that I’d like to get on, that would be awesome, but right now I’m focused on Leandro Higo. That’s all I’m really focused on right now.”