Nah-Shon Burrell returns to the Bellator cage tonight, when takes on Andrey Koreshkov in the first round of the season ten welterweight tournament.
24-year-old Burrell, who has the longest odds out of any of the eight welterweights competing at Bellator 112, will have to upset the favorite in the tournament field to keep his Bellator record unblemished.
The former Strikeforce and UFC fighter made a successful Bellator debut at the promotion’s 108th show, winning a unanimous decision over Jesus Martinez. Because he was unable to secure a finish, Burrell received some criticism for his performance against Martinez. That criticism is something that Burrell is aware of.
“I’ve noticed my past couple of fights haven’t gone like I want,” said Burrell. “I’m a finisher.”
The last time that Burrell won a fight inside the distance was back in August 2011 when he TKO’d Lukasz Lez in the second round at Strikeforce Challengers 18. After consulting with his camp, Burrell was able to pinpoint the reason for his recent inability to finish fights.
“I stopped getting knockouts later in my career but me and my camp figured out what it is,” he said. “I’ve been bringing the same style that my opponent brings instead going balls to the wall like I used to.”
Burrell’s key to success thus far has been his technically sound stand-up arsenal, but he’s making significant strides in other areas of the game.
“I’m evolving from a sprawl-and-brawl type guy into a complete martial artist. I have a Jiu-Jitsu game and I’m pretty confident on the ground, but a lot of people don’t care to see it and I don’t trust the judges enough to play the Jiu-Jitsu game.”
Any game that Nah-Shon Burrell plays tonight against Andrey Koreshkov will be an important one. Burrell has the opportunity to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament and get one step closer to a Bellator championship.
“I’m coming for that belt. And this will be my coming out party.”