Uncasville, CT – Long layoffs and injuries are a part of the fight game, but the challenge is in returning to the cage and showing that you still have what it takes. Bellator lightweight Adam Piccolotti answered the challenge with a unanimous decision victory over Georigi Karakhanyan at Bellator 274 on Saturday night.
“I had this layoff. I had some questions about the health of my body going into this thing. I was a little bit I guess shell shook from my last fight with Sidney (Outlaw) where I go out and within the first exchange I tore my knee which required surgery later on. So I was a little bit I guess, I don’t know, a little ring rust was taking effect. It’s not me making excuses or saying anything why I didn’t strike with the guy,” Piccolotti told the media at his post-fight scrum.
Karakhanyan (31-13) is a high-level striker that puts any opponent on their toes and Piccolotti knew that going into Bellator 274.
“I wasn’t going to strike with him. He’s a freaking dog he brings the power. So it was always going to be wrestling it was always going to be jiu jitsu, but I would like to showcase that sometime real soon.”
After a long layoff Piccolotti knew it would take a bit of getting used to being back in the cage and in a big fight against a formidable opponent.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been uncomfortable since i’ve been in that cage and felt that pressure and that anticipation. Man it felt good to be back in front of a crowd. To look out of those curtains before the fight started and to see thousands of people cheering and screaming. I even heard some USA chants which I never really hear. I’m a fan of that I love that, no offense to any other country of course, but I’m proud of where I’m from. It’s everything man, it’s getting back in the cage, shaking it up. I’m ready to get back in there again.”
“I feel pretty good right now we’ll see how the night goes. I’d love to be back in that cage when we fight at home in San Jose coming up here in April.”
Piccolotti is back in action and back in the cage with a mission to get to the top. A big fight would be ideal next.
“Top 5 I don’t care. There’s a lot of good guys in my division right now, but you know, there’s no one better than me.”
Watch the full Bellator 274 post-fight press conference with Adam Piccolotti above. More coverage from the event can be found below.