Best know for as the ‘Kimbo Killer’, Seth ‘The Silverback’ Petruzelli (13-6) is still trying to shed that monicker still after almost three years.
The heavyweight admits that it’s done great things for his career but he wants to be known for his fighting ability rather than one upset.
Petruzelli recently signed with Bellator Fighting Championships and is set to face one-time UFC champ Ricco Rodriguez (47-11) in a 230 lbs catchweight bout tonight at the Mohegan Sun Arena. A win for either fighter will earn them a spot in the promotions next heavyweight tournament, something that appeals greatly to ‘The Silverback’ who is tired of seeing politics play a major role in seeing who gets to fight who.
“(Bellator is) a fighters’ organization. You have to prove yourself and win to get that belt. Nothing is handed to you. That’s the way it should be in every organization. Politics shouldn’t play a role in fighting. Unfortunately it does a lot, but it shouldn’t.”
Speaking to MMAFighting.com about signing with Bellator, Petruzelli offered up some insight into where his future may be headed after tonight’s bout.
“It’s going to tell me if I’m just a stepping stone for him or I belong at the top of the fight game,” he said. “He’s on a streak. Those guys are good, but were they the top? Not so much. If he does the same thing to me, then I know where I stand, I guess. But I don’t foresee that happening.”
“He knows that he doesn’t want to stand up with me, and I know that he wants to take me down, so it’s pretty much going to come down to, can he take me down, or can I defend it?” he said. “I’m sure there’s no secrets. He knows I’m going to be trying to knock him out.”