Hawaii’s Nainoa Dung is back in the win column following Bellator 256. Dung was on a two-fight skid heading into the event, and at only 22 years of age, many had forgotten the promise the Hawaiian had shown early on. That will hopefully change, with Dung defeating Izzy William via unanimous decision.
“It feels great,” Dung said on the win, speaking to members of the media following the fight. “The last time, in this exact arena, when I lost my opponent was here and I walked past him doing his interview, a walk of shame. I told myself next time I’m here, I’ll be up here.”
Dung has grown on the fly. He has been with Bellator since 19 years of age and has had to grow up on one of the biggest platforms in mixed martial arts. At only 22, and five professional fights later, Dung is hoping he is going nowhere.
“I’m just 22,” Dung explained. “I want to thank Bellator for taking the chance on a kid from Hawaii. This was my last fight on my deal, I am hoping to re-sign. We will see where we go from here.”
Dung said pre-fight that going back to the basics in camp was one of the biggest changes he has made since the losing streak — and that change helped end the skid.
“Very important,” Dung said on the basics. “I just did this whole camp, was so simple. My dad, I love my dad, he’s my head coach. We had no game plan except going off my jab, how simple is that?”
Watch the full Bellator 256 post-fight press scrum with Nainoa Dung above.
