With a 14-3 professional record, Bellator featherweight Henry Corrales is riding a wave of back-to-back wins, and now looks to make it three-straight, as he faces off with Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018. Corrales was initiated into the promotion by running the proverbial gauntlet that was Daniel Straus, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Patricio Freire, but has since put up dominant performances over Cody Bollinger and Noad Lahat. Before marching into battle on Saturday, Corrales caught up with Bloody Elbow to discuss putting up back to back wins in Bellator, life at The MMA Lab, and how retribution will be his next order of business.
Saturday’s Bellator 192 main card will air live on the Paramount Network at 9:00 P.M. ET, with the prelims streaming online.
- Running the gauntlet as a passageway into the Bellator organization:
“First things first, I’m here to fight whoever, whenever. Even though I took some L’s, it took me back to the drawing board, and to be honest with you, for the most part, I’m having a good fucking time.”
- Picking up your first promotional win against Cody Bollinger at Bellator 170:
“Now, with a couple of wins under my belt, that’s not really what’s such a big deal to me. It’s just the progression of the martial artist I’m becoming. I moved camps, I moved to a different state, and I’m just taking my career a lot more serious now.”
- Besting dangerous grappler Noad Lahat at Bellator 182:
“Noad’s super tough, dude; he’s a gamer. He was in there for all 3 rounds, even though I was pretty much dominating every minute of the fight. I was a little disappointed. I’m happy I got the win; I’m happy I got that 2nd check, but at the end of the day, dude I’m here to finish guys. I was a little bummed at myself that I didn’t put him away. It seemed like it was there, but again like I’m saying about that 2nd check, you got to play it a little safe sometimes, but whatever.”
- You’re scheduled to face another dangerous grappler in Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 192 on January 20th. Are you happy with the matchup?
“Yeah, big time. I actually kind of predicted that this fight was going to happen. We fought in New York, on the same card, and for some reason he fought right before me and he won, and then I beat Noad Lahat. I as telling my trainer, I was like, ‘watch, we’re going to fight. We’re going to fight next.’ Sure enough, I got the call and was like, ‘yeah!’”
- Despite Noad Lahat’s grappling credentials, you were still willing to secure the takedown when the opportunity presented itself. Are you willing to do the same with Karakhanyan, who is just as dangerous on the ground but has more MMA experience?
“Yeah, I’m willing to do whatever it takes. If the opportunity comes, if it opens up, I’ll take it. I’m not too concerned with anything that’s coming from his end. I’m super respectful for his skillset, his experience, but when it comes down to it, all his experience, all his credentials, everything is just bringing out the best in me in this fight camp. This dude’s super high level; he’s super legit, and I know that. I’m training my ass off here at The MMA Lab getting ready for this guy.”
- What is Lab life like down there in Arizona?
“The weather’s beautiful out here; it’s like 70 degrees. Everybody on the team is cool. There’s a lot of fights coming up. This is one of those gyms where if you don’t even have a fight coming up, you’re on the mats. These up and coming fighters here, these vets here, everybody is just fucking hungry. That mentality, that work-like mentality really spreads like wildfire on the mats. Dude, everybody is fucking motivated here.”
- The blueprint:
“You are who you hang out with, dude. There’s a lot of people that lead by example there. There’s blueprints already set, you know what I mean. It’s not like you can just show up and follow what everybody else does, but there’s something about seeing something with your own eyes that really makes everyone step their game up.”
- Do you have a prediction for Bellator 192?
“Action. Action, pressure, and just a willingness to exchange fight. Just fun, dude, at the end of the day.”
- Out for vengeance
“I took some L’s and I would love to get vengeance, you know what I mean. These guys took me to school, dude. they taught me some things in there, and I came back to the drawing board in training. I’m just so much better now. It would be cool to get back in there with those guys. They’re super cool dudes, earn some money together and chase these dreams, you know.”
Watch Henry Corrales wage war with Georgi Karakhanyan at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018. Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for all of your MMA event coverage including interviews, play-by-play, highlights, and more!
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