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Tonight at 10pm EST. on Spike TV, Bryan “The Beast†Baker, a two time tournament finalist in Bellator, will compete as an alternate entrant against Douglas Lima in the semi-finals of the season eight welterweight tournament. In this interview, “The Beast†talks about being a tournament alternate, fighting while having leukemia, middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko and more.
1. You will be entering the season eight welterweight tournament as an alternate, what advantages/disadvantages are there to being in that position?
Baker: Advantage – I’ve had to take less damage than Lima has…Although he had a very successful first fight. It’s just something that when it’s your lifestyle and you’re professional, I can get the call in the last minute and be ready for a fight. The disadvantage at the same time is that Lima has been visualizing this tournament win for how many weeks or months back…I’m not sure, but it’s been in his vision for longer than mine, so I have to come and steal his vision away from his dreams.
2. Previously, you have been a tournament finalist twice and a semi-finalist another time, do you feel that this opportunity could be your last to win a tournament, considering how many times you have been to the finals before?
Baker: This won’t be my last time to win. I believe I can win, I’m going to go out and show my skills – what is this is my fourth fight at ’70? Just having one loss at welterweight…It’s something that I still feel confident at …it was a smart move for my career and I’m able to slug it out with the best of the middleweights as well as the best of the welterweights. I’m confident all around.
3. Speaking of the past, do those two tournament finals losses affect you mentally heading into this tournament?
Baker: From the prior tournament losses…it’s just me learning as a mixed martial artist still…I have four losses in my career. One was a good battle, good fight early in my career against Chael Sonnen. But leading into Bellator, three losses have been mistakes on my part that my opponents have been able to capitalize on. It’s just something that I need to fine tune myself a little bit more, and I believe that any fight that I can go to without making mistakes – I can be the victor. Douglas Lima has a real challenge on his hands, as do I, but I believe my will and my challenges will come out on top.
4. Recently, Alexander Shlemenko won the Bellator Middleweight Title when he defeated Maiquel Falcao at Bellator 88. You have competed against him in the past at Bellator 23, is there a chance you will want to compete in another middleweight tournament to get an opportunity to avenge that loss?
Baker: Maybe. You never know…I just turned 27 years old not too long ago, so I got a while left in my career. Here at welterweight, when I go and make my reign, and when time comes back around I want to be a middleweight - that could be a high possibility.
5. This coming Thursday Night at Bellator 90, you will be fighting Douglas Lima…what are your thoughts on your opponent?
Baker: I believe he is a true professional and he goes out to win fights. I believe it’s going to be a battle, I believe he’s ready for a battle like I am. I believe he’s going to give everything he has – his full will, and I expect nothing less and I’m going to give him the same. And I believe my will will overcome his.
6. It has been mentioned on past Bellator broadcast and in interviews that you have been battling leukemia. Can you give the fans a status update and how are you feeling heading into the tournament?
Baker: I feel great man. I’ve been in remission for over two years now. It’s something that I continue to build my confidence back and it’s something that I really feel confident in, and just a testimony I continue to walk with my life – it’s something that I can be an inspiration to others and just be a light into this world
7. Assuming you win the tournament, in your opinion, do you feel winning as an alternate who started off in the semi-finals cheapens the victory in any way or is it just the way things go in the tournament format?
Baker: With this tournament it’s so harsh…you get injuries and someone tells you that you have to fight a month later – it’s hard. There’s a high possibility that you could get replaced. As a fan… or from the fans’ point of view, I’ve made the finals twice. I’ve been in the semifinals before, so I believe I’ve earned my way. If I go out and win this tournament it’s like, ‘Oh he finally got his win! He finally got the tournament win, after being in the finals twice, and the semifinals before.’
8. The man you replaced in the tournament was Brent Weedman, what are your thoughts of him as a fighter and would you like to fight him in the Bellator cage one day, considering he is the fighter you replaced?
Baker: I never thought about fighting him. I think he’s a great fighter, and I hope he’s doing well with his injuries, taking care of it … and I hope the Lord watches over him and heals him and gets him back going. If it comes around to that point, I would love to accept any challenge or offer if we get matched up, to just test our skills amongst each other.
9. Even though you have been in Bellator for a long time now, this will be the first time you have fought since the promotion moved to Spike TV. Do you feel any added pressure competing on Spike TV, considering there are a lot more eyes tuning in each week?
Baker: Not at all. I’ve been fighting for a little while now, I’m pretty much a vet in the game. I’ve been around a lot of crowds and attention. As Bellator builds and is now on Spike– ride on…Bellator is building. I believe I’m the most experienced Bellator fighter there is…most experienced veteran. I think I’m tied with Schlemenko or somebody for most wins for Bellator. It’s just something I really enjoy watching Bellator grow and I grow with them as a fighter and we grow hand in hand together, and I hope I can be their champion one day.
10. For those fans who may be seeing Bryan Baker compete for the first time, what can they expect to see from “The Beast�
Baker: You can expect just what the nickname says, I’m a beast and I’m willing to take a fight and Im willing to give a fight. There’s no quit in me, there’s no give up in me. In hard situations, opportunities open… anything comes my way, I’m ready and I’m willing. Really, don’t blink your eyes too many times because you never know what happens in my fights as well as Douglas Lima, so you should expect a good explosion.
Follow Bryan “The Beast†Baker on Twitter @BryanBeastBaker and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bryan-The-Beast-Baker/248694521825061
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Contact me at bigteesps3@yahoo.com
A special thank you to David Schwarz of Spike TV and of course Bryan “The Beast†Baker for taking the time of of his busy schedule to take part in this interview.
Catch “The Beast†along with your favorite Bellator fighters tonight and every Thursday Night on Spike TV at 10pm EST./Prelims on Spike.com at 8pm EST.
