Da’Mon ‘The Diamond’ Blackshear (7-3) will face Mike Kimbel (3-2) on October 15 at Bellator 249 when the two exciting prospects meet in a 140lb catchweight bout at the Mohegan Sun casino.
Bellator 249’s Da’Mon Blackshear is coming off an important win in his last contest, when he submitted veteran Kody Nordby in the second round at CES 59. Prior to that bout Da’Mon had lost three of his last five bouts and knew the importance of securing a big win over a fighter with a name. “It was extremely important, especially for myself, to know I can go out there and have a good performance,” he said ahead of his bout against Mike Kimbel this Thursday. “I looked good and I knew what I was doing. I had a good game plan going into the fight. That was extremely important for me.”
Two of those losses were disappointing decisions to Pat Sabatini and Kris Moutinho. Blackshear discussed what he learned from those setbacks and how he has grown as a fighter since. “Honestly to go in there and be completely prepared not just for anybody but to be prepared for a specific opponent,” was one takeaway. “I am going in there and going to fight Kris Moutinho, as an amateur its okay to go in there and even as a pro its okay to go in there and be prepared to just fight anybody but when you get to a certain level you have to specify your training to your opponent.”
‘The Diamond’ hasn’t slowed down too much during the pandemic. He has been training consistently and keeping his skill set sharp. We discussed what things have been like for him thus far in 2020. “I am training like normal, it was hard at a certain point it was hard to get into some of the gyms because they were closed but now things are normal for me.”
Now, Da’Mon Blackshear returns to work. His full attention is focused on another exciting young fighter who has intentions of making a future for himself as well in this ultra competitive MMA game.
Blackshear explained that he likes Mike Kimbel outside of the cage, but come fight night things will be all business. And a win is all that matters. “I feel like for his last couple fights he is good for the first round,” said Blackshear. “He comes in really hard, he has been past the first round and he is either the guy that comes in and dominates or he is the guy that folds. I have been in there five rounds against guys. I’ve been in there three rounds, I have finished it early, I am prepared for whatever he brings. and I think its gonna be a hell of a fight and I am going to bring it to him. I can see it going down in the second round, yea, I’m a second round finisher”.
The future seems bright for this burgeoning star out of North Carolina. With a win at Bellator 249, the former wrestler could be in line for an even bigger name on the Bellator roster or even a shot at Contender series or the UFC.
Tune into CBS Sports Network this Thursday, October 15 to catch the Bellator 249 main card, topped by Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe. The preliminary card action, including Blackshear vs. Kimbel, will stream online, including right here on Cageside Press. And be sure to check out the full interview with Da’Mon Blackshear right here.
