Mandel Nallo is preparing to make a significant move up the lightweight ranks on Bellator this Friday evening.
Canadian fighter Nallo (7-1) is slated to battle Brazilian contender Ricardo Seixas (9-2) at Bellator 255 in Uncasville, Conn., marking his debut performance of 2021.
Assessing the current state of Bellator's lightweight division, 31-year-old Nallo feels his abilities measure up against the elite competitors in the weight class, though he acknowledges there's still work needed to cement that standing.
"It's a highly skilled division, but I genuinely believe my skill level places me right at the top," Nallo told MMA Empire during a recent interview.
"Looking at what I've accomplished so far in this sport, I still have plenty to demonstrate. I hope this week allows me to climb higher on the ladder, and if Bellator decides to run a lightweight tournament, I'd love to participate."
Nallo entered his professional career on a perfect 7-0 run before his final two fights took unexpected turns. During October 2019, he endured his maiden defeat in a particularly unlucky manner, suffering an ankle injury late in the final round. More recently, in October, his match against Saad Awad ended as a no contest when Awad couldn't finish the bout following an accidental low blow.
While those recent results were undoubtedly frustrating, Nallo emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective and avoiding fixation on circumstances beyond his influence.
"In MMA, you can't let negativity consume you. My loss came under unusual circumstances, then I waited over a year for another fight opportunity, which itself played out strangely," Nallo explained.
"Focus on gratitude instead—I stayed healthy, life is good overall. If you're going to dwell in despair, this sport simply isn't right for you."
The Tristar Gym athlete was initially booked to take on undefeated fighter Keoni Diggs (9-0) on Friday night until Diggs withdrew for unspecified reasons.
Despite facing a stylistically distinct opponent in Seixas, Nallo remains confident he'll maintain the advantage he feels he carries into every matchup.
"I firmly believe I hold a technical advantage—that's precisely what I expect to carry me through each fight," Nallo asserted.
"There's nothing secretive about it: every time I speak, I emphasize that Tristar is a technique-focused gym. Our dedication to technical development clearly shows in most of our bouts."
While numerous COVID-19 restrictions have started easing across the United States, Canada continues to enforce strict mandates, including a compulsory two-week quarantine period for travelers returning from abroad.
Earlier this year, the Canadian government introduced updated regulations for incoming travelers, requiring potential stays in government-approved facilities while waiting for COVID-19 test results.
Nallo admitted he faces considerable uncertainty regarding his journey back to Canada and cannot predict what awaits him upon arrival.
"We're essentially rolling the dice and seeing how things unfold," Nallo noted.
"Honestly, I have no idea what I'm walking into when I return. It really is something of a gamble."
Connect with Nallo online: INSTAGRAM
