Logan Storley Hoping Dominant Performance at Bellator 274 Puts Him Next in Line for Title

A storm is brewing ahead of Bellator 274, in the form of Logan Storley.

As his nickname would suggest, Logan “Storm” Storley brings the thunder when he fights: high-level wrestling thanks to his NCAA Division I All-American background. Big ground n’ pound. A fighter first positioned as a protege of Brock Lesnar (Storley had the support of Lesnar way back in high school; the pair both competed for the University of Minnesota later on), of late Storley has truly come into his own.

Saturday at Bellator 274 marks his first main event. It comes against a dangerous submission expert in Neiman Graice, but that’s something Storley is prepared for.

“I’ve trained with the best guys in the world, like Gilbert Burns, for the last five years. So I’m ready,” Storley (12-1) told Cageside Press during the event’s media day on Wednesday. “At the same time, I know he’s good there. He’s very good on the ground, he’s got the family name, but I’m prepared and ready to do what I’ve got to do.”

Unlike previous non-title main events in Bellator, this one will be a five-round affair. Of course, Storley may not necessarily need five rounds, but he is ready for them.

“You always want to go out there and finish a fight early. That’s the goal, right, is to go out there and finish early. For me, if I need them, then we’re ready to go there,” he stated. “Training camp went well, and I’m prepared for all 25 minutes.”

With the belt having been the goal for Storley since day one, only minor adjustments needed to be made in camp for the additional time. “You’re always getting ready for that title fight. That’s why you get into this sport, is to become champ. We added a few little extra things during training camp, getting ready for the extra two rounds, but really it’s just having that mentality of going as long as it takes.”

As for title aspirations, a lot is riding on how Logan Storley looks against Gracie. Yaroslav Amosov will defend his welterweight title in May against Michael “Venom” Page, with ex-champ Douglas Lima paired up against Jason Jackson. Competition, in other words, for the number one contender’s spot.

“You go out there and get a dominant performance, I would hope that puts you in line for the next title shot,” noted Storley. “But for me, the biggest thing is taking care of Saturday night.”

Should all go well though, Storley has the confidence of knowing he came extremely close to beating Amosov when the pair met back in 2020. “I went in there and I fought him to the best of my ability, in a fight I thought went my way. But it is what it is, if he wins that fight and I win this fight, I’m ready for that.”

Watch the full Bellator 274 media scrum with Logan Storley above. The event takes place this Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. More coverage from Thursday’s media day can be found below.