Magomed Magomedov says loss to Raufeon Stots changed him before Bellator 282

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Magomed Magomedov is only one fight removed from a loss that was just the second of his career, but it probably feels to him like he’s come miles.

Magomedov (19-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) on Friday took out Enrique Barzola (18-6-2 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) with a fourth-round guillotine choke in the quarterfinals of the bantamweight grand prix at Bellator 282 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

He advanced to the semifinals, where he’ll meet sometimes training partner Patchy Mix. But soon after the fight, he was focused on the emotion of getting back on track after his loss to Raufeon Stots this past fall. Stots now is on the other side of the tournament bracket and is the interim bantamweight champion.

“There’s a lot of emotion going on right now, but I’m truly, truly happy to get back (in the win column), especially against such a tough opponent as Barzola,” Magomedov told MMA Junkie after the fight. “The most important thing to me was to get back on the winning track. It doesn’t matter to me if it was the grand prix or any other (fight). If I keep winning, everything is going to be good for me.

“The thing I hate the most in this world is to lose. Every time I was thinking if I’m going to lose, somebody’s either going to knock me out completely or choke me out. But I never thought I was going to lose with a decision. That was really hard for me.”

With Mix on the horizon later this year, Magomedov said he’ll have to put personal feelings aside when he steps into the cage.

Mix is on the record saying he thinks Magomedov is the toughest test for him in the tournament, and that it would be unfortunate if he has to fight him.

“It’s a professional sport,” Magomedov said. “He’s doing his job to feed his family. I’m doing my job to feed my family. We’re both working to fight and earn some money. I do respect all my opponents, before the fight and after the fight. But the moment when I walk into the cage, I just get all the feelings out and only inside the cage, I become a bad guy.”

Check out Magomedov’s complete post-fight interview in the video above.