Lightweight Tim Wilde earned a split decision win at Bellator 287 opposite fellow Brit Saul Rogers, and the rogue scorecard giving the fight to Rogers was a surprise to the 35-year old.
“I felt like he slowed down considerably after the first round,” Wilde (15-4-1) told media outlets including Cageside Press following the main card bout in Milan, Italy. “I was able to time his shots. Not only his striking, but his takedown attempts. He definitely was weaker in the second and third round, although he still is by far the strongest fighter that I’ve ever fought.”
“I was very confident that I’d won the second and the third, so maybe one judge was texting or something in the third round, because I thought I’d won unanimous.”
Wilde has now extended his unbeaten streak to four care of Saturday’s victory, a stretch that includes three wins and a draw with Alfie Davis. Next up, Wilde is game to fight in Dublin in February, and he’s eyeing a berth in the Bellator lightweight grand prix next year.
“I would really like to get on Bellator Dublin. I always go into my fights looking to finish my opponents if they give me an opportunity. I think people will be surprised that I didn’t put Saul away with some of the shots I landed,” said Wilde. “You seen his nose was badly, badly broken, he was cut open to bits. I have to give him massive credit and respect, he’s tough. He’s a tough son of a— I won’t swear. But I was looking for the finish, I wanted to make a statement tonight, and I wanted to get on the microphone and tell John McCarthy that I wanted Scott Coker to consider me for the lightweight tournament next year.”
Wilde added that he believes the win over Saul Rogers “proves I’m the number one lightweight in the U.K. So look, get me out in Dublin, whoever Scott or Mike Kogan or Bellator believe to be, anyone other than me, as the number one in the U.K., bring them on. If they think I’m number one in the U.K. let’s see who’s number one in Europe. I’m looking to get that belt, I’m not here to mess about. I want to be world champion, I’m going to keep pursuing that dream until I can’t do it anymore.”
Watch the full Bellator 287 post-fight media appearance by Tim Wilde above.
