Pedro Carvalho: “I’m gonna shut his mouth on Friday, and that’s what happens”

DUBLIN, IRELAND – Just days away from another historic event in Dublin, Ireland, the fighters of BELLATOR MMA 285: Henderson vs. Queally spoke to the media today ahead of their fights scheduled for this Friday, September 23 at the 3Arena.

Headlined by a five-round main event between Benson “Smooth” Henderson (29-11) ranked No. 3 and local hero and Peter “The Showstopper” Queally ranked No. 5 (13-6-1), BELLATOR 285 is supported by a delicious cast of MMA’s top talent, with legends of the sport, local stars and international challengers hoping to crash the Irish party.

The co-main event features No. 8-ranked light heavyweight veteran Yoel “Soldier of God” Romero (14-6) taking on another legend of the sport in Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef (32-15-1).

The main card will air live in the US on SHOWTIME at 4 pm ET/1 pm ET.

Overseas, the main card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Sport from 9pm BST. The preliminary card will be broadcast live in the UK on BBC iPlayer and in Ireland on Virgin Media from 6pm BST.

PEDRO CARVALHO: NO. 5TH-RANKED FEATHERWEIGHT BELLATOR: “The best thing I can say about my journey is that the losses brought me maturity and insight into things I didn’t have. I was a young boy, saying and doing things that at one point was too much. The fall was big and it was hard for me to get up, but I got up. I did my research on what I need to improve, and today I can say that I have everything I need to be a world champion… I don’t know if I mean a new Pedro, but it will be a new chapter, for sure.” “For me, there is a lot of ways to look at a fight. In a way, in my conscience, I’m heading into this fight on a two-fight winning streak. I respect someone who has a different idea, but that’s all subjective. At the end of the day, it’s about I started to shape my fight in a way that the judges liked, but there will always be judges who look at some details and not others. Judges are human. Sometimes these decisions are not going to please the judges. “We’re fighting MMA, not jiu jitsu. I’ve fought a lot of black belts, and it’s different. Mads turns me on. I always wanted to fight him because I want to fight the best. If I want to be the best, I have to fight.” with him. I’m not afraid of anything. He combines his punches very well with his takedowns. bos and of course he is very good at grappling but there is not one thing I look at and say I have never fought this before. There are many things in me that he has never seen, and that is what I am going to show.” “I don’t care what he says. He can say what he wants. I’m going to shut his mouth on Friday, and that’s what’s going to happen.” “Having 10,000 people cheering you on is incredible. Last year was amazing. I knew it would be great, but I didn’t know it would be this great. I think this year he will top it.” “We have been in the trenches for years. Every time we train, it’s a cookie. It’s worth a few dollars. It’s always great to fight with Peter. Every time we spar, we both know it’s going to be tough, but it’s going to be super safe. As John Kavanagah says, ‘Improve your software and protect your hardware’. Every time we train, that’s it.”

Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. He is passionate about combat sports and also hosts a podcast for Sitting Ringside. He is also a former MMA Fighter and Kickboxer.

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