UNCASVILLE, Conn. – John Salter thinks he’s positioned himself for a title shot after notching his third win in a row.
Salter (18-4 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) submitted Andrew Kapel in the third round at Bellator 244 on Friday and has now finished all but one of his wins under the Bellator banner.
With the current travel restrictions in the COVID-19 pandemic, Salter thinks the stars could potentially align for him and Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima to square off for the promotion’s vacant 185-pound title.
“I hope so,” Salter said at a post-fight news conference. “I’m not thrilled with my performance for the first and second round, but I did what I had to do. But, at the end of the day, I finished a very good fighter and I think that should put me right there. We’ve got limitations of who can get in the country, so I think it only makes sense that me and Lima fight for that vacant title.”
Lima was originally scheduled to face Gegard Mousasi for the vacant middleweight title at Bellator 242, but the coronavirus outbreak put a halt to those plans.
However, Mousasi has now been granted a visa to enter the U.S. and Bellator president Scott Coker has confirmed that the plan is to rebook the fight before the end of the year.
Nonetheless, Salter still wants a crack at the title, regardless of the opposition.
“I’m ready for whatever,” Salter said. “Obviously the title is the main thing on my horizon. That’s what I want, it’s what I have my eyes on. But whatever’s next is next.”
Bellator 244 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card simulcasted on Paramount Network and DAZN after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Check out Salter’s full Bellator 244 post-fight news conference in the video above.
After Bellator 244 victory, John Salter says he's 'right there' for a middleweight title shot
