CHICAGO – Roman Faraldo acknowledges that Levan Chokheli is a step up in competition but expects to have no issues.
Faraldo (8-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) meets Chokheli (10-2 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) in Friday’s Bellator 288 main card opener at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.
The unbeaten knockout artist has produced some viral moments throughout his career, and training at famed American Top Team gives him confidence that he will deliver once again.
“I think the experts still got it wrong saying that the odds are even,” Faraldo told reporters at Wednesday’s media day. “I think I’m way better than this guy in every facet of the game, and that confidence comes from my training partners and who I’m working with consistently and how I feel and what I’m doing and what I’m capable of.”
Although Faraldo’s early finishes wind up on highlight reels, he knows he still has some work to do. But he expects a win over Chokheli to advance his career.
“So I think it’ll be another great performance on my end, but title contention – I haven’t fought anybody from the top 10,” Faraldo said. “Levan isn’t ranked in the top 10, so for me to press that I think is a little arrogant. But we’ll get through him, we’ll beat a couple of top-10 guys, and then the belt should be – we’ll at least be in contention.”
He continued, “I’m asking for it more than anything and if I continue to produce, why wouldn’t you? Especially people want to see me, I put on great fights. Yeah, end of 2023, definitely in title contention for sure.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 288.
