Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov will be making his first title defense on Friday night as he will be challenged by former WEC and UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson in the main event of the Bellator 153 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Koreshkov (18-1) became the Bellator welterweight champion last year when he defeated Douglas Lima by decision at Bellator 140. On this past Thursday’s edition of “The MMA Report Podcast,” Koreshkov talked about all of the attention being on his opponent and how he views this fight as a great opportunity.
“I kind of expected that. He has such a huge following and name recognition,” Koreshkov said through a translator. “The press and the media would be focusing on him mostly, even though I am the champion. However, I think it gives me a great opportunity to fight a guy with such a great following and by beating him, I use this as a campaign. By beating him, I will be able to use it to get better name recognition for myself. So I see it as an opportunity.
Check out Koreshkov’s complete interview from Thursday’s episode of “The MMA Report Podcast” below and be sure to subscribe to the show on iTunes and Stitcher.