Goiti Yamauchi Sees Bellator 192 Loss as a Key Point In His Career

Goiti Yamauchi spoke with MMAjunkie ahead of his bout with Daniel Weichel at Bellator 210. Highlights are below:

On his loss to Michael Chandler at Bellator 192: “I think it was a key point in my career. I needed to go through it. A champion isn’t made only of wins, they also need to learn something from failing and losing. So it was – not only for me, but myentire team, we grew together. We saw what went wrong, improved on our flaws. We’ve been doing excellent, very solid and professional work. Totally different than the version people saw in January against Michael Chandler. I’m very happy with the work that’s being done. (The loss) only gave me motivation to improve. Of course, we get sad with losses – nobody likes losing. But it’s important to go through it, especially in the current stage of my career. I’m still developing. I’m young, still, so I need to go through these things.”

On making changes in his mindset after the loss: “(It changed) some concepts, some thoughts, the way to train – to live, really, you know. So it was a deeper thing. He touched my life not only with punches and strong elbows to the face, but he also touched me in regard to Goiti, the fighter. In my mindset as a champion. It was very important for me.”

On being sidelined for three weeks due to an ankle injury: “Everything happens in due time and for a reason. It didn’t bother me at all.”

On being on the preliminary card: “I was surprised, because it’s a fight worthy of a co-main event, or even main event. It’s a more high-level fight than the main event of that day (Chidi Njokuani vs. short-notice replacement John Salter). There won’t be any fights of that level that day, so I don’t know what their policy to choose is…I don’t care at all. I’m there to fight. It can be the first or the last fight, I’ll be prepared. The most important thing is for Daniel to show up.”

On what’s next for him after this fight: “I’m very patient. Although I’ve been at Bellator for quite some time, I’m a young guy and I’m not there to whine for a title. I want to earn it. So if (Bellator president Scott Coker) tells me I deserve it, if (Bellator matchmaker Rich Chou) tells me I deserve it, I’ll fight. Until then, I don’t want to beg for a title. I want to be patient. I want to fight the best. I want to fight for a title. I want to be champion and the best in the world. But this will come in time. It has to be earned, not given.”