Kent Kauppinen is more than just happy to be part of Bellator’s return to London on Saturday.
Kauppinen (11-4 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) will take on Melvin Manhoef (30-14, 2-3-1 BMMA), a combat sports legend, and said he is thrilled to share the cage with someone he’s looked up to.
“I loved watching him when I was growing up, so to get into the ring with him, it’s what I wanted,” Kauppinen told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “He is a legend, and I love the guy for what he’s done in this sport – but it’s still a fight.”
Kauppinen is coming off a 70-second knockout win over veteran Alessio Sakara in enemy territory. This time, he gets to make the walk in front of his home crowd and take on another legend in Manhoef.
Kauppinen said he’s here to fight the best.
“I don’t want to fight the low-level guys or the people not on the big show,” Kauppinen said. “You put me on a big show, I want to fight the best people there is. Win, lose or draw, (when) I fight Melvin Manhoef, it’s on my record.”
