LOS ANGELES – A 12 months into his comeback after a layoff of 4 and a half years, Brennan Ward has taken one other massive step.
The Connecticut-based welterweight now not will steadiness preventing with a day job. Forward of a combat in opposition to his most achieved opponent since 2017, Ward is a full-time fighter.
“I made the choice that I used to be going to take time away from my job,” Ward advised MMA Junkie at Thursday’s Bellator 290 media day. “It was arduous for me to make that call. I had that stage of comfortability working within the union. We make good cash and I present an excellent dwelling for my household. Do I need to simply combat middle-of-the-road guys at Mohegan Solar a few times a 12 months for the following couple years, or do I need to attempt to make a title run?
“I mentioned, ‘I don’t need to look again at myself after I’m 50 years previous and say, “Man, you had been nonetheless in your bodily prime and also you simply didn’t go for it.”‘ I don’t ever need that. I don’t need to have any of these regrets, so I’m giving this every part I’ve acquired. I’m totally dedicated to this. … If I get the belt, I get the belt. If I don’t, I don’t. However I can lay my head down and night time and say I went for it. I went for it.”
Saturday, Ward (16-6 MMA, 11-6 BMMA) has one of many greatest alternatives of his profession when he opens up the Bellator 290 fundamental card in opposition to Sabah Homasi (17-10 MMA, 6-4 BMMA). Their combat will air reside on CBS within the promotion’s debut on the community powerhouse.
Ward mentioned the prospect to combat Homasi has him revved up much more than he was in his first two Bellator fights in his comeback: TKOs of Brandon Bell and Kassius Kayne.
“I’m excited for this,” he mentioned. “I used to be out for years, and I fought some guys not within the rankings (after I got here again). And that’s nicely and nice, nevertheless it’s robust to get excited for these type of fights. Nobody actually is aware of who they’re. It’s virtually a lose-lose scenario.
“… This combat, when the entire MMA scene desires to see this combat, I can get amped up for that. I’ve acquired respect for him. I do know he’s acquired respect for me. … We’re some harmful dudes, and a few harmful sh*t goes to occur on the market – and it’s in all probability not going to depart the primary spherical, truthfully.”
Take a look at Ward’s full interview above.
Bellator 290 takes place Saturday at Kia Discussion board in Inglewood, Calif. The principle card airs on CBS following prelims on MMA Junkie.
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for Bellator 290.
