THACKERVILLE, Okla. – John Salter isn’t young in this sport. He’s years past being deemed a prospect, but he still believes he can be the next big thing.
At Bellator 233, Salter (16-4 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) will take one more step toward his ultimate goal of championship gold when he fights Costello van Steenis (12-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) in Friday evening’s main event.
A former UFC veteran, Salter realizes van Steenis has youth on his side. However, if van Steenis thinks he has a motivation advantage, Salter is ready to prove his Dutch opponent wrong.
“He’s calling me out online, and I can respect that,” Salter said. “Where you just want so bad to get that recognition, the problem I think he probably doesn’t realize is I’m just as hungry as he is. I haven’t changed that.
“That’s the problem with his thought process. I’m just as hungry as he is, but I think it’s going to be an exciting fight. As soon as he puts something on the line, that’s what I’m good for. I understand what it’s like to be at that point.”
A big part of Salter’s recent improvement is the switch away from being self-trained. While his own instincts got him so far, Salter found value in relying on others to push him. Salter felt like his progress was hindered as he ran his own camps – even when he he had his best interests in mind.
“I was working hard. I might have gotten a little better, but I wasn’t doing new things,” Salter said. “I was not changing anything up. I was becoming predictable in trying to get better at what I do.
“Now with Jeff Jimmo and Ed Jimmo in Charlotte, N.C., (they’re) the kind of coach that every single day I work with him, I learn something knew. I’m doing something a little bit different, just bettering everything I do. Also, I’m made to do things I may not make myself do. It’s really been great, and I think that’s going to be a big change for me.”
When he pictured his fight playing out on Friday night, Salter didn’t predict a quick finish but rather a three-round battle. Salter expects van Steenis to test his cardio and set a frenetic pace. Regardless, Salter said, he is ready.
“I would love to say you’re going to see me walk out there and knock him out in the first minute,” Salter said. “That’d be a really fun night, but you’re probably going to see a three-round, high-paced, hard fight. I think that’s what this is gonna be. I think at the end of the three rounds, you’re going to see my hand raised.”
Bellator 233 takes place Friday at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla. The main card airs on Paramount Network after prelims stream on MMA Junkie.
