Former Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell returns to the bantamweight division after three fights at featherweight between 2019 and 2020.
After an unsuccessful run at trying to become a double champ by competing in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix, it’s back to 135lbs this Friday at Bellator 259. In the Grand Prix, he defeated Henry Corrales and Ádám Borics but ultimately lost to A.J. McKee. Now “The Wolf” is back in his division.
“I’ve always kept my eyes on these guys, since Sergio [Pettis] came into the division. Obviously, when Juan [Archuleta] came in, I was the champion, so he had his eyes on me; he was working his way up. But the opportunity presented itself for me to jump into the tournament last year, right before I lost my belt,” Caldwell said during Bellator 259 media day this week. “For me, I’ve always considered myself the best guy at bantamweight regardless of what was going on down there, you know, it was just, duty called me up to 145.”
The former bantamweight champion rematches Leandro Higo at Bellator 259. In their first outing, he submitted Higo in the first round at Bellator 195 back in 2018. Caldwell plans on getting through Higo and the rest of the division on his way to get his title back.
“I think if I go out there and have great performance- if I go out there and put him away like I should, I don’t see anyone in front of me, Caldwell said. There are some great fighters here at Bellator, it will be a cool experience to mix it up with all these guys at 135, but there isn’t anyone in front of me when I got out there and blow through this guy.”
Watch the full Bellator 259 media day scrum with Darrion Caldwell above.
