UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Steve Mowry isn’t interested in callouts, just knocking down the challenges stacked up in front of him.
At Bellator 257 on Friday, Mowry (9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) quickly ran through promotional newcomer Shaun Asher (13-4-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) on the preliminary card. The performance was quick, just as Mowry likes it.
“I come in here to get the job done,” Mowry told MMA Junkie at a post-fight news conference. “They don’t pay me overtime. We don’t have a special bonus for making the fight as long as we possibly can. So why not just get in and get out?”
For the first time in his Bellator career, Mowry competed with a number next to his name on fight night. He entered the fight at No. 7 in the newly-launched heavyweight rankings. Although his roadmap to the title is perhaps clearer now with the new system, Mowry is going to keep letting the matchmaking options come to him.
“If I’ve learned anything about this game, (it’s that) the numbers don’t mean anything. They really don’t,” Mowry said. “It’s cool to get recognition for hard work and whatever, being able to do things. I’ve been in this sport for a long time. To finally have that little bit of recognition is cool. But (as) I said, I fought a lot of tough guys with good records, whose numbers were impressive, whose stats were impressive.
“On the flip side of that, I’m sure my numbers are impressive and my stats are nice. Guys are coming to take me out, too. The longer I dwell on it, I feel like the less actionable for fighting it is. I just try to get better every fight. I think today, I kind of showcased that.”
There are two names, however, Mowry doesn’t have any interest in fighting. Sanford MMA’s presence is felt in Bellator, and particularly in the promotion’s heavyweight division. Matt Mitrione and Linton Vassell are Mowry’s training partners and friends. For that reason, those fights are off-limits.
“There are two guys in the heavyweight division I won’t fight and one guy you’d have to make it mean something,” Mowry said. “I’m at the point now where I’m just ready to take fights. I’m ready to take people out.”
Bellator 257 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.