Enrique Barzola warns Magomed Magomedov after winning way into Bellator bantamweight grand prix

HONOLULU – Enrique Barzola is brimming with confidence heading into the Bellator bantamweight grand prix.

Barzola (18-5-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) defeated Fedor Emelianenko protege Nikita Mikhailov on Friday at Bellator 278 from Neal S. Blaisdell Center. By beating Mikhailov, Barzola qualified for the grand prix and will face Magomed Magomedov on June 24 at Bellator 282.

“No problem for me, Magomed, but I want to say, ‘Be careful, bro, because my conditioning, my cardio is good,” Barzola told MMA Junkie and other reporters at the Bellator 279 post-fight press conference. “My mental, my spirit, my soul is nice, but be careful, Magomed. Keep your ass to work.”

He continued, “My first fight in Bellator, I fought Darrion Caldwell. He’s an ex-Bellator champion. Now Nikita, the best team, Fedor Emelianenko, but I feel good. My team always told me you will be the next champion and me, I believe all day.”

Check out the full post-fight interview with Barzola in the video above.