Middleweight Costello van Steenis has been booked into a title eliminator against Gregory Babene at Bellator Paris this Friday at the Accor Arena, and will be looking to finally get over the hump.
A Dutch fighter who grew up in Spain prior to returning to the Netherlands, van Steenis (14-3) has faltered in steps up in the past, suffering setbacks against John Salter and Douglas Lima that might otherwise have led to title shots.
That necessitated a change ahead of this latest title eliminator opportunity, van Steenis explained.
“For this camp, I’ve done it as professional as possible. I took it as a real professional athlete this time. I got one of my trainers who I used to work with in Spain, who I started MMA with. I flew him over to Holland and I did my whole training camp with him next to me,” van Steenis told Cageside Press during the Bellator Paris media day. Despite having the same coaches and still working with Mousasi Team, “now I got him. I flew him over to Holland, living with me in my house so he can study my opponent, actually watch film, all his fights.”
“I have a professional, good game plan to fight this person. I was really professional. Like waking up on time, going to bed on time. He was there to keep an eye on me.”
If Costello van Steenis does get past Babene this Friday, champ Johnny Eblen awaits. Fabian Edwards, however, already has the next title shot in the bag. Babene and van Steenis are essentially competing to be next in line.
Asked how long he’d be willing to sit and wait, van Steenis implied that it wouldn’t be all that long. It seems he’d rather stay busy. “If I’m injury free I’d fight next week again. I live to fight. If I have to fight next week, I’ll fight next week. As long as I’m not injured, I can do it.”
Watch the full Bellator Paris media day appearance by Costell van Steenis above.
