Middleweight John Salter is back in action this Saturday at Bellator 276, fighting a young, highly ranked opponent in Johnny Eblen.
Entering off a title fight loss to Gegard Mousasi, there’s a very different feel ahead of his return, the #1 ranked Salter explained on Thursday, during the event’s media day. “There was so much stress for so long with the idea of trying to work my way to a title shot. I think this is probably the least stress I’ve had in a camp in a long, long time.”
Of course, the goal is to work his way back to a title shot. And should Gegard Mousasi still be the man holding the belt when that happens, Salter will once again be matched up with one of the best 185 pound fighters in mixed martial arts history.
Asked where Mousasi stands in terms of the best middleweight fighters of all time, Salter told Cageside Press that “It’s hard to find somebody that’s really better.”
“When he was over in the UFC, he wasn’t losing to people. He had a couple of losses that were freak things, but other than that, he’s beaten the best guys in the world there,” Salter stated. “Just the other night, or a couple of weeks ago, when he fought [against Austin Vanderford], he just shows you how calm he stays in any situation. They’re in the middle of a huge exchange and he’s just standing his ground, throwing punches, landing everything he throws.”
“He’s dangerous everywhere. Good jiu-jitsu, a lot harder to take down than I thought he would be, a lot stronger than I thought he would be, and hits very hard.”
Watch the full Bellator 276 media day scrum with John Salter above. More coverage can be found below. The event takes place this Saturday, March 12 at the Family Arena in St. Louis, MO.
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John Salter
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Adam Borics
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Phil Davis
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Mads Burnell
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Johnny Eblen
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Julius Anglickas
