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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matt Erickson

Archie Colgan sets up long-term title aspirations after Bellator 293

TEMECULA, Calif. – Archie Colgan beat Justin Montalvo with a first-round TKO Friday on the main card at Bellator 293 at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif.

Take a look inside the fight with Colgan, who stayed unbeaten with his second straight first-round finish.

Archie Colgan vs. Justin Montalvo

Result: Archie Colgan def. Justin Montalvo via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:33
Updated records: Colgan (7-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), Montalvo (5-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA)
Key stat: All four of Colgan’s Bellator wins have been by knockout, including three in the first round.

Colgan on the fight's key moment

Archie Colgan

“It wasn’t as expected. I think I probably would’ve rather spent a little bit more time on top. I think a lot of people in MMA try to see it as if you take him down and control him, that’s the win or the loss. Spending time on top was like a good takedown, and if they get up quick, that’s a wasted takedown and that’s just not true. I got exactly what I wanted out of that takedown. I took him down. He popped back up. Now he respects the striking. He got hit with the right hand, put him out.”

Colgan on the beef with Montalvo

Archie Colgan

“It felt good for a few reasons. The way he got chippy to me, it felt good to get that one back. The way he’s talking about one of my teammates who is just an admirable person that I like, I look up to as a fighter, as a person, as a father – just the way he’s talking about him, I didn’t respect that. I had to go out there and put a stamp on him, and I did.”

Colgan on what he wants next

Archie Colgan

“I want to be a world champion – 7-0 is not enough. I don’t have a world title with me. I don’t have the belt with me right now, so I need to climb for 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 20, whatever it is. But I want to be world champion, absolutely.

“My next child is due May 28, so the probability of me fighting before then is not likely. I’ll probably have to take a month or two off before I can start getting into camp. So late July, early August sometime around there would be nice if there’s a super-dope option. Before that, I’ll have to probably talk to my wife and see if she can make it work.”

To hear more from Colgan, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 293.

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