Darrion Caldwell is a Bellator fighter through and through.
Caldwell will take on promotional newcomer Enrique Barzola on Jan.29 at Bellator 273 in Phoenix, Arizona. The former bantamweight champion looks at this as an opportunity to represent the organization
“When that name popped up I was like man let’s do it, I’m a Bellator warrior,” Caldwell told The AllStar. “I’ve already been here for a while and haven’t really been able to see a lot of UFC guys for whatever reason. They don’t come over as often in the lighter weight classes.
“Just my time hadn’t popped up but now it’s time. I finally get my hands on a guy who has been in the UFC. He won the TUF show. That’s big things for me. I’m excited about that fight.”
His opponent, Barzola, is the TUF: Latin America 2 champion and a 10-fight UFC veteran. The Peruvian slugger brings extreme toughness and experience to the matchup.
The Wolf
“He’s gonna come forward. He’s gonna be scrappy. He’s gonna let it fly,” Caldwell said. “I expect it to be a dogfight from round one to three. I’m not taking this guy lightly. I’m sure he’s not taking me lightly. UFC, Bellator it’s really that rivalry. Finally, I get to put it to the test. So I’m excited for [this] opportunity.“
A victory over Barzola opens up the possibility of an alternate role in the Bellator 2022 Bantamweight Grand Prix that starts later this year. Even though “The Wolf” has high-level credentials in the 135-pound ranks, he is not delusional about his position and earning his keep.
“I just gotta break him,” the 34-year-old said. “I don’t think he’s ever felt the wrestling pressure that I’m going to be able to present. I think he’s got decent wrestling but it’s just not as fluid.
“Once I get my hands on him, he’s gonna feel the difference. He used to fight at [1]45 so the size thing won’t really be a factor cause I’m usually bigger than most guys at [1]35. When it comes to this wrestling, this fight game, and blending the wrestling in there, I’m as fluid as it gets.”
Fighter profile
Darrion “The Wolf” Caldwell is a 34 year old male fighter from the United States with 14 pro wins and 5 losses. Caldwell is scheduled to fight Enrique Barzola at Bellator 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky on Saturday, January 29, 2022.
Darrion Caldwell’s recent form coming into this matchup
Caldwell has gone 2-3 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.
- Loss vs Leandro Higo • Decision R3 5:00 • 2021-05-21
- Loss vs AJ McKee Jr. • Submission R1 1:11 • 2020-11-19
- Win vs Ádám Borics • Submission R1 2:20 • 2020-01-25
- Win vs Henry Corrales • Decision R3 5:00 • 2019-09-28
- Loss vs Kyoji Horiguchi • Decision R5 5:00 • 2019-06-14
Darrion Caldwell’s next opponent: Enrique “El Fuerte” Barzola
Enrique “El Fuerte” Barzola’s recent form coming into this matchup
Enrique “El Fuerte” Barzola is a 32 year old male fighter from Peru with 16 pro wins and 5 losses. Barzola is scheduled to fight Darrion Caldwell at Bellator 273: Bader vs. Moldavsky on Saturday January 29, 2022.
Barzola has gone 2-2-1 in the last 5 professional MMA fights.
- Draw vs Rani Yahya • Decision R3 5:00 • 2020-03-14
- Loss vs Movsar Evloev • Decision R3 5:00 • 2019-10-26
- Win vs Bobby Moffett • Decision R3 5:00 • 2019-08-10
- Loss vs Kevin Aguilar • Decision R3 5:00 • 2019-03-30
- Win vs Brandon Davis • Decision R3 5:00 • 2018-05-19
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