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By Alvin Benjamin Carter III, MMA Torch Specialist
I had a chance to catch up with Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Emmanuel Newton (23-7-1) this week ahead of his title defense tonight at Bellator 124. His star has risen over the past two years, and Newton is aware and gracious in discussion of his fortune. He defied expectations of critics and the press, became a world champion, and he even gave me advice for my own training, “Be like water…” That last bit could be another article, but the first three words should paint the picture.
Newton has won 11 of his last 12 fights, and that loss was avenged when he defeated Attila Végh to capture the undisputed Light Heavyweight Title back in May of this year. He shows no signs of slowing down, and plans to prove as much against Joey Beltran. Here is what Newton had to say about his career trajectory, King Mo, his Bellator 124 bout with Beltran, and more.
CARTER: You have been on a tear the past two years. You went from a tournament quarterfinalist to a world champion. Describe the ride.
NEWTON: The past two years, the rise, and becoming a champion have been amazing. There have been a lot of ups and some downs, like not finishing a fight the way I want to, but everything happens for a reason, and the ride has been amazing.
CARTER: How did you feel beating King Mo, and then how did it feel validating it the second time?
NEWTON: The chips were stacked against me. I went out there and got the knockout with the spinning back fist, and it felt good to become the Champion. Then I dominated him and almost got the knockout with the head kick. I am sort of tired talking about Mo now, but everything happens for a reason. Mo was put in front of me for a reason.
CARTER: No more questions about Mo. Joey Beltran. He is durable. He either wins or loses in the first round or the third round. Do you see this going into championship rounds?
NEWTON: I'm not expecting it to go to championship rounds. I am going to finish him. This is my belt, my time. I like the guy, but I don't care if you put a family member in there in front of me. I will do what I have to do, within the rules of course, to keep my belt.
CARTER: Who do you fight next after Beltran?
NEWTON: If Liam [McGeary] wins the [tournament final] it should be him. Next in line could be Stephan Bonnar, Tito Ortiz, Rampage Jackson, or whoever. It does not matter who.
CARTER: Have your training options and resources changed during your rise in Bellator?
NEWTON: Being in Bellator, being the champion, and my style, I have more people coming to watch me train and see how I move. I am a bit unorthodox. I have more avenues to train, and I love it. Being with Bellator from when they started to grow and watching them grow has been great. I was with them when they were on MTV2 and now they are on Spike.
I would like to thank Emmanuel Newton for taking the time to talk to me so close to his Bellator 124 fight with Joey Beltran on Spike TV. I would also like to thank the people at Spike/Bellator MMA that made the interview possible. Bellator 124 will take place on September 12, 2014 at the Michigan Compuware Arena in Plymouth, MI.
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