Rafael Cavalho Says Rematch With Melvin Manhoef Will Put On A Show

In an interview with MMA Junkie, Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Cavalho (13-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) said that he and his Bellator 176 opponent Melvin Manhoef (30-13-1 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) will put in a show in the main event of the card, which happens Saturday at the Pala Alpitour in Turin, Italy. It airs on Spike. Here are highlights:

On how the first fight went: “It’s no excuse, but for that fight I had a very challenging training camp. I had one injury after another during that camp. I fought with my shoulder and lower back both hurt. And on fight day, I hurt my foot, so I fought per our strategy. People may say that I didn’t fight as a champion, but Melvin didn’t do more than me to deserve victory. Now, when we meet again, it’s going to be a different story.”

On if the long flight will hurt him: “When I had my first title defense, my flight had a six-to-eight hour delay, and I’m used to fighting with the fans against me. None of that makes a difference. If anything, it further motivates me. I’ll just show up, put in the work, and get another victory. My head is focused only on the fight, not on the fans.”

On how the rematch will go: “No one should take our last fight into account – and now things are personal. You won’t see the Rafael of my last fight. I’ll be more motivated and better prepared. Last time, I kept training around my injuries. This time I’m injury-free. This time we’re going to put on a show. “We’re off to war. A soldier who goes off to war afraid to die is a coward, and I’m not afraid to die.”