Goiti Yamauchi is honored to tackle fellow jiu-jitsu specialist Neiman Gracie at Bellator 284.
First, it’s as a result of he will get to headline his first Bellator principal occasion in opposition to a top-ranked opponent. Second, it’s as a result of he could make a press release in a brand new weight class by submitting somebody from the legendary Gracie clan.
As somebody who’s scored 9 of his 13 Bellator wins by submission, the potential of including such an iconic household title to his resume means the whole lot to Yamauchi.
“It might be very vital for me as a result of they’re the principle household in martial arts,” he stated on MMA Combating’s Trocação Franca. “Particularly in opposition to Neiman Gracie, in all probability the largest consultant of the Gracie household as we speak. If that occurs, it might be unimaginable.
“Each time I submit [an opponent] in a battle, I take into consideration the Gracie household, particularly when there’s no trauma. MMA is a really aggressive sport, however I don’t like to harm my opponents.
“Once I can finish a battle with out bodily injury, cuts, or concussions, I’m completely happy. I all the time take into consideration the Gracies once I dominate the enemy with out hurting him, as a result of that’s why they developed this martial artwork.”
Yamauchi, who completed Chris Gonzalez and Levan Chokheli inside one spherical in his most up-to-date Bellator bouts, wasn’t in search of a match with a fellow Brazilian. However he acknowledged “that is the battle enterprise,” and hopes to earn a welterweight rating in large method after Friday.
“That is the kind of battle I’ve been asking for within the light-weight division,” he stated. “Individuals don’t know what occurs backstage once I was at light-weight. Should you look [at my record], I took fights that have been dangerous for me. If I win, I don’t acquire something, and if I lose, I lose the whole lot. These kind of fights aren’t price it. But it surely wasn’t due to the group — a number of opponents pulled out. That occurs, sadly.
“I don’t select fights. I’m a prizefighter. I’m combating for my legacy, positive, however that is how I make a residing and I’ve to battle. However by way of matchups, [they were] horrible. This battle with Neiman represents that, you recognize? That is the primary time we’re in a battle that is sensible for us.”
Gracie has bounced between wins and losses since difficult Rory MacDonald for the welterweight throne in 2019, ending Jon Fitch and Mark Lemminger however dropping choices to Jason Jackson and Logan Storley.
Once they meet contained in the cage at Bellator 284, Yamauchi vows to make a press release.
“We don’t understand how the battle goes to play out,” he stated. “There’s a fantasy that when two high-level grapplers meet, they battle on the toes, however I believe that’s bulls***. We would keep on the bottom your entire time to see who’s the higher grappler, however we’d combine it up. But it surely doesn’t matter to me. I’ll really feel what’s one of the best technique for me and I’ll do it.
“Our grappling sport may be very completely different. He trains with Renzo [Gracie] and Renzo’s line is extra targeted on no-gi submission, very old skool, and so they do that basically properly. I’m extra of a jiu-jitsu man, that jiu-jitsu from competitors, very trendy. I comply with that Gracie mindset of getting to complete, I don’t like chasing factors or benefits.”
