Henry Corrales returns at Bellator 214 on January 26 in his backyard of Los Angeles with a chance to earn the biggest win of his career.
He’ll put his four-fight winning streak on the line against blue-chip featherweight prospect Aaron Pico. Corrales is excited for the opportunity ahead of him; Pico is also on a four-fight winning streak after his debut loss to Zach Freeman. He most recently finished Leandro Higo in the first round.
“His hype is justified,” Corrales told MMASucka. “He’s smashing. It’s bringing out the best of me in fight camp. We’re not taking preparations lightly. It’s a big stage in my hometown. I’m ready to get after it.”
Corrales, after starting 0-3 in his Bellator tenure, has rattled off four straight wins against Cody Bollinger, Noad Lahat, Georgi Karakhanyan and Andy Main. Corrales feels the winner of the fight could earn the next crack at the featherweight title.
“It’s everything I dream of in a fight”
He believes he’s the best striker Pico will face to date, which he feels will make for an exciting match-up.
“It’s everything I dream of in a fight,” Corrales said. “He brings the heat and he’s a scrapper. I’ve seen a couple of his takedowns so we’re definitely expecting all of it. I think he’s going to need them for sure.”
After Corrales lost to Bellator champions like Patricio “Pitbull” Freire and Daniel Straus, as well as former title challenger Emmanuel Sanchez, he worked his way up from a pair of preliminary card fights to the main card for his last two bouts. Now, he has the chance to fight a top prospect in his hometown on what could be the biggest stage of his career.
Corrales and Pico are slated to do battle on the same card as Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader. The two are competing to decide the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix winner and heavyweight champion.
“I’m just glad I’m in a position where these spots are getting bigger so I’m getting pumped for that,” Corrales said. “I’m getting in there and showing my gratitude with hard work.”
Bellator 214 will air live on Paramount Network.
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