Middleweight Kapel speaks highly of opponent leading into Bellator 244.
Andrew Kapel (15-6) is currently quietly riding a five-fight win streak which includes a KO victory over legendary “King Mo” Lawal. Coming into Bellator 244 with a victory in his debut back in 2019, Kapel is set to face the ever talented John Salter. Kapel had praise for his opponent, speaking at the Bellator 244 media day this week.
“He [Salter] is criminally underrated,” Kapel told the media. “He got screwed on a title shot from this, I dunno if it’s ’cause of the holdup, I feel he should be fighting for a title. But I don’t know if he just looked at me as an easy win, or how I was pitched to him, but I think [taking this fight] it was a mistake on his part. But I’ll capitalize just like I did before.”
Kapel is a winner of five straight, four of which are via finish. There’s a ton of submission skills in his arsenal, including three rear naked chokes since 2017. Kapel feels as though he could play the upset card on Friday night, but he isn’t looking to far ahead to possible title shots.
“I take everything one fight at a time,” Kapel explained. “Everything is up in the air right now, my focus is complete tunnel vision on John Salter. I’m a one step at a time type of dude. It is nice to jump right into the deep end and prove I can swim.”
Kapel is currently 35 years old and while he stated he isn’t a guy who looks off too far into the future, he did note that MMA doesn’t last forever. Kapel isn’t so sure he will be doing this for years to come.
“I don’t think I have too many years left in this game,” Kapel told the Cageside Press. “Touch wood, I’ve been fortunate to not have any major injuries, or KO’s or anything like that. I feel like I’m still in my prime. Martial arts will be a part of my life for the rest of my life. I’d really enjoy teaching, or doing jiu-jitsu for the rest of my life for sure. I really don’t know how it’ll all play out in that realm, I’m just focused on one day at a time, one step at a time. Right now the goal is to make prizefighting count, and do as much as I can with that.”
Bellator 244 takes place this Friday, August 21 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The main card airs live on Paramount Network and DAZN.
