The “Brazilian Bad Boy” Vinicius de Jesus impressed in a first round TKO victory at Bellator 216, and afterward, he was quick to call out Dillon Danis, a man he has wanted to face for some time.
Uncasville CT- Vinicius de Jesus was the third fight of the preliminary card at Bellator 216 this past Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Arena. He made quick work of Rodolfo Barcellos (winning by TKO at 3:46 of round one) which impressed everyone in attendance. The media was then sent scrambling for the chance to talk with the victor coming off of his statement victory.
Not only was this victory special for where de Jesus is in his career, but to win at home in Connecticut, with family and friends surrounding him is always an important memory being created.
“This is what I fight for, bringing the show for everyone is special but in the end it is the moments with my family that are most special,” he said back stage. “This is a family business, my wife is a black belt, my father is my coach, this is our life.”
“This is my fucking arena, I’ll fight anywhere but if you come here to fight me, I’m the lion, I’m the predator, you will taste defeat.”
This is arguably Vinicius de Jesus’ arena, as his four Bellator bouts have all taken place at Mohegan Sun Arena. Through those four fights, he has gone 3-1. The one loss came via split decision, but de Jesus didn’t leave this one to the judges. A first round KO is a big way to continue the path to a title fight, and fight some big time names on the way.
“At least Barcellos was man enough to face me. Dillon Danis keeps running away from everyone,” de Jesus said. “My next fight will be with Danis, Bellator set it up, he needs to fight I just beat up a BJJ black belt, I want to show him you need to be a complete fighter in this sport.”
de Jesus has not been shy in showing his interest for fighting Dillon Danis. The 1-0 BJJ specialist has been inactive since his debut, and now is in suspension talks due to his UFC 229 antics. It was rumored by many via twitter that Danis may have been a possible opponent for de Jesus early in the matchmaking process for Bellator 216, obviously until UFC 229 changed some of those plans.
“He doesn’t fight me, he doesn’t fight anyone. He claims he is the best in Bellator, he has one fight with a guy without jiu jitsu. Fighting guys like that is easy. He acts tough, well fight a guy like me who can match you on jiu jitsu and make your life hell striking.”
Vinicius de Jesus has made it known who he has in mind for his next scrap, now it is up to Danis and Bellator to set it up. de Jesus is now a winner in 6 of his last 7 and improved to 7-2-0 overall over the weekend. His performance proves what many media members already knew, that it is time for Vinicius de Jesus to face some bigger names, he is as ready as ever.
