Interviews
MMATorch Interview: Middleweight Brian Rogers discusses Bellator and his Division leading into his Bellator 125 bout
Sep 19, 2014 - 4:50:53 PM MMATorch Interview: Middleweight Brian Rogers discusses Bellator and his Division leading into his Bellator 125 bout

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By Alvin Benjamin Carter III, MMA Torch Specialist

I was able to meet up with Brian Rogers ahead of his Bellator 125 fight with Rafael Carvalho that is taking place live on Spike TV from the Savemart Center in Fresno, CA on September 19, 2014. We briefly discussed his last fight, his upcoming fight, and Bellator MMA's new management.

Rogers has been on a roller coaster ride exchanging wins and losses in his first five Bellator fights where he was 3-2. Then he suffered a pare of decision losses in 2013 only to land a spectacular flying knee knockout over Adrian Miles. Rogers said it felt good to get a win like that especially after the way his two previous fights went. Two consecutive losses can spell misfortune for a mixed martial artist during a regime change but that was not the case for Rogers.

When asked about if he was happy with change in management at Bellator MMA he said, "Initially, no. I had a great relationship with Bjorn [Rebney] and with the matchmaker." Rogers continued stating that he has a good relationship with the current matchmaker Rich Chou from when they were both with Strikeforce, and he is excited about what is happening at Bellator.

In the cage Rogers is confident he can beat anyone in the division. He is prepared to take out his Bellator 125 opponent Rafael Carvalho even though that is not who he was originally scheduled to fight. "I was supposed to fight James Irvin, then he was out. Then I was supposed to fight Brett Cooper, but he is injured, and now I am fighting Rafael [Carvalho]," said Rogers.

He is not looking past his opponent, but when asked about who he is interested in fighting next he said, "I will fight anyone on this roster."

He thinks a fight with one of tonight's headliners, Melvin Manhoef or Doug Marshall, makes sense. Rogers believes his striking would stack up against either fighter, and he said that he is not afraid to stand up with them or anyone. He further made his case by saying, "Melvin can knock anyone out, but he has been knocked out a bunch of times. Doug Marshall can knock people out, but he has been knocked out a bunch of times. Their chins aren't that good."

Moving into this evening's fight, Rogers is confident he will put on a good show. He said to "watch out for another highlight reel, and tell [Bellator] that you want to see more of me."

Rogers does have an exciting style, and 10 of his 11 wins have come by way of stoppage, nine of them were knockouts. His featured Bellator 125 co-main event with Rafael Carvalho should have some fireworks, and could potentially set the stage for a big fight as Bellator moves away from the tournament format.


I would like to thank Brian Rogers for taking the time to talk to me so close to his Bellator 125 fight with Rafael Carvalho on Spike TV. I would also like to thank the people at Spike/Bellator MMA that made the interview possible. Bellator 125 will air live at 9pm on Spike TV at the Savemart Center in Fresno, CA tonight, September 19, 2014.

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