Daniel Weichel’s insistence on staying active led him to Bellator 210, where he moves up a weight class to face Goiti Yamauchi.
Daniel Weichel has an excellent 8-2 record in the Bellator cage, with both losses coming against champion Patricio Pitbull. With a pair of losses to the current champion (the latter of which being a split decision), Weichel explained to Cageside Press that his reason to move up in weight does not have to do with title hopes:
“My motivation is to stay busy. I really want to fight more often than I did last year. That is one thing I told my manager, that I want to be more active and fight more no matter what. Featherweight, lightweight, heavyweight, I don’t care.”
With the German’s great success at featherweight in the past, it’s no surprise that he has not written off his future in the division. Pitbull has interest in a featherweight grand prix, which is an idea of which Weichel is in complete support.
“I would love to do a featherweight tournament and be a part of it in Bellator. I love the idea of a tournament. I’ve always said that and I will always say that because I love the idea of knowing when you have your next fight coming up and having a structure to when your next fight is. I would love to be a part of it.”
As for this bout, Weichel’s opponent, Goiti Yamauchi, is experiencing the same thing Weichel went through prior to his last appearance, which is a long layoff. Weichel went 15 months between his last victory and his title shot, which is five months more than Yamauchi’s absence. With that being said, Weichel subscribes to the Dominick Cruz theory of ring rust.
“I can only speak for myself and the training I am enjoying at MMA Spirit in Frankfurt. If I go through this training, there’s no such thing as ring rust. We train that hard, we spar at fight-pace. With training like that, I don’t believe in ring rust.”
Daniel Weichel may not have a designated division in mind for his title run, he is simply happy to have a chance to rebound from his last appearance. It is on the prelims, but Weichel pays no mind to that.
“Doesn’t matter to me if I’m on the prelims or on the main card, the finish is the most important thing that I have on my mind. It doesn’t matter where I’m fighting at. For me, it’s important that I fight and perform at my very best. That’s what I’m looking forward to. I’m well-prepared, I’m in great shape, and I’m really looking forward to getting back in the Bellator cage.”
Goiti Yamauchi recently told Cageside Press that he has the advantage everywhere against Weichel, and his opponent’s mindset is very similar.
“I train for every scenario. I will put the pressure on and look to finish the fight. I will look for an opening either striking or on the ground. If it goes the distance, it doesn’t matter. At the end of the night, I will have my hand raised.”
Bellator 210 takes place tomorrow in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event airs live on the Paramount Network starting at 9 p.m. EST.
