Daniel Weichel wants to leave no doubt in high-stakes Emmanuel Sanchez rematch at Bellator 241

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Daniel Weichel is looking for a much more definitive win over Emmanuel Sanchez.

The two first fought in 2016, with Weichel (40-11 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) edging Sanchez (19-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) in a fight that Sanchez is adamant he won.

They will rematch Friday at Bellator 241 in the quarterfinals of the featherweight grand prix, where the stakes are much higher this time. Weichel knows that he’s likely facing a different fighter than the one from almost four years ago, but the goal this time is to leave no doubt.

“Yeah, of course, I have the experience. I fought him,” Weichel told MMA Junkie on Wednesday. “To be honest, I prepared for him like for completely new fight. Of course, like I said, I take the experience that I know how he moves, that I know how his body feels, but I analyzed his last fights with my team, and we create a game plan, and it was more on developing my skills and becoming a better fighter for myself to be more dominant and put more pressure on him.

“It will be pressure and domination.”

The grand prix has given Weichel new life after he dropped two in a row, a failed attempt to capture the Bellator featherweight title against Patricio Freire followed by another split decision loss to Goiti Yamauchi at lightweight.

In the opening round of the tournament at Bellator 228, Weichel defeated Saul Rogers, setting him up with the Sanchez rematch.

“I simply love it,” Weichel said. “The tournament format, especially when you have a couple of months in between, and you can prepare exactly who you know. The opponent you know, you know when, you know where. You have the goal right in front of you the moment you fought, so I love it. Also, you fight the best featherweights on the planet plus you get to earn one million dollars.”

Bellator 241 will take place Friday at Mohegan Sun Casino. The main card is expected to stream on DAZN after prelims on MMA Junkie.