Azerbaijan’s Tofiq Musayev, a former RIZIN lightweight champion, makes his promotional debut at Bellator 283 this Friday.
Making a first impression is always important, but in Musayev’s case, he’s doing so in a co-main event, filling in for reigning champion Patricky Pitbull — a fighter Musayev himself has history with. The pair met in the RIZIN lightweight grand prix in 2019, with Musayev defeating the Brazilian in the fight.
That history could have Musayev (19-4), a big free agent signing by Bellator, on the fast-track to a title shot with a win over Sidney Outlaw.
Speaking to Cageside Press and other media outlets via translator during Wednesday’s Bellator 283 media day, Musayev stated that he had “wrote once, [my] history,” adding that he “hopes that history will happen again — the same thing will happen again.”
Later, Musayev would state that he “always wants to fight with strong opponents, with famous fighters,” and that he wants “to create history.” That includes winning a title; after all, he came to win, he added.
When it comes to his debut, Musayev admitted that he was surprised around the circumstances, with Pitbull pulling out. But ultimately, “it does not matter who [I’m] going to fight,” Musayev noted. He’d go on to say that he respected Outlaw, and expected that “the fight will be very interesting.”
Watch the full Bellator 283 media day appearance from Tofiq Musayev above. Musayev faces Sidney Outlaw in the co-main event this Friday, July 22, 2022 in Tacoma, Washington.
