Darrion Caldwell believes he feels insecurity in featherweight champion Patricio Pitbull, following an incident earlier this year.
Los Angeles, CA — Welcome back to featherweight, Darrion Caldwell. Having lost his bantamweight title to Kyoji Horiguchi earlier this year, Caldwell (13-3) is stepping into the Bellator featherweight grand prix at Bellator 228 this weekend.
It’s an opening round match-up against Henry Corrales that Caldwell is tasked with, and if all goes well, a title in a second weight class could be in his future.
Of course, Caldwell and current featherweight champ Patricio Pitbull nearly went at it a couple of months ago at a Bellator 228 press event, during another interview with Cageside Press.
At this week’s media day, Caldwell explained what exactly took place. “Whenever you look at someone, right, and you ‘what’s up’ them, and they feel intimidated, that gives me a sense of insecurity,” ‘The Wolf’ explained. “He doesn’t want me looking at him, because he doesn’t want me looking at all his problems. All the things that’s going wrong over there, all the things that’s not right.”
In short, Pitbull’s response to Caldwell addressing him, even briefly, was telling. “So when I look at him and he gives me that response, I know what’s up. I know what’s up. I found your weakness. You have a lot of weakness, because you can’t take a man looking at you, or saying anything to you, or pointing in your direction. You’ve got a lot of insecurity, so it showed me a lot about him.”
Asked if he expected to face the dual-weight champion at some point, Caldwell responded by saying “abso-f*cking-lutely. Eventually Pitbull and I will fight. It’s just a matter of time.”
There’s been all sorts of talk of game plans heading into Bellator 228, due to the second round of the featherweight grand prix being determined by a draw and selection process, which will take place during the broadcast. Caldwell, however, isn’t worrying about that just yet. “Everybody got a game plan until they get punched in the mouth,” he observed. “No way I can go in there with a game plan against a guy like Henry. I’ve just got to react. Reacting, and problem solving.”
In regards to what opponent Henry Corrales brings to the table, “everything. He’s just a fighter’s fighter,” answered Caldwell. “He’s not going to back down, he’s got a never say die type of attitude. I think when you have that in front of you, you’re in for a fight. So I will be prepared.”
Bellator 228 takes place Saturday, September 28 at The Forum in Inglewood, CA.
