Sullivan Cauley Compares Zero Crowd in Debut to Home Crowd Experience at Bellator 268

Phoenix, AZ — Sullivan Cauley went from amateur local shows to a massive crowd at the Footprint Center in Phoenix almost overnight.

Cauley won via TKO against Deon Clash at Bellator 268 on Saturday, and admitted following the fight that “this is far and away the biggest show and biggest crowd I’ve ever fought in front of.”

The fight improved his record to 2-0, and while he’s still growing as a fighter, it’s a major milestone for the training partner of Ryan Bader.

“You know, that went about like I thought it would. Deon’s not a pushover, he definitely came to fight, but I was expecting to be able to defend the ground game and out-strike him,” Cauley told media outlets including Cageside Press after the victory. “I felt good.”

“Definitely felt a little bit of extra nervousness here in front of the home crowd,” Cauley added, noting that while he wasn’t trying to, he “definitely noticed friends and family” on his way out to the cage. “I think that added another little element, but it’s really good to feel that at this point in my career, so early on.”

Cauley, who found considerable success with his right hand Saturday, has fought both his pro fights under the Bellator banner — one away, one at home. Asked which he preferred, Cauley noticed that pandemic protocols were still in place for the fight in Phoenix, but added “fighting in front of zero crowd in Connecticut was as close to sparring as you can get, so it was easier in that sense. But we’re in this sport for the excitement. There’s nothing like getting a big win in front of the home crowd. That was really awesome.”

Watch the full Bellator 268 post-fight press conference appearance by Sullivan Cauley above. More coverage from the event can be found below.