Josh Connor
37 seconds. That is all it took for surging Bellator lightweight Brandon "Cold Roll" Girtz to put his metamorphosis as a fighter on full display for the rest of the Bellator lightweight division. In a stunning display of aggression and crisp striking, Girtz left opponent Derek Campos separated from consciousness by way of vicious KO inside the Bellator cage as he avenged a Bellator 96 loss from 2013. In the wake of such an emphatic rematch victory, it is clear that with his mind right and embracing his inner Tyson like mean streak, Girtz is at his best as a fighter. Absolutely. That is when I am at my best when I just let that [Tyson like mean streak] take over. I’ve always looked up to how he [Tyson] went out there and took care of business. When I am in that mode and I feel like that, I feel unstoppable.**
Leading up to the fight, Girtz spoke prophetic words about the years of work he has invested in his stand-up and hands. Despite being known primarily by his opponents as a Division II All-American wrestler out of Minnesota State, Girtz spoke about how the move to Grudge MMA Training Center in Colorado under the watchful eye of head trainer Trevor Whittman, Boxing Coach Jake Ramos, and friend Pat Barry has brought his striking and mental side of fighting to another level.
I go out there, and I fight under instincts. If that takedown is open, I take it. But, I would love to showcase these hands because that is literally what I have been working here at Grudge [MMA Training Center] which is a huge striking school. I work my hands five days a week you know. That is a major part of my game. ** My major difference is my mentality. Back then it was a hard time for me. I wasn’t really in the right situation in my life and career where I wanted to be. Fighting, I was kind of just going through the motions to tell you the truth. This is a dangerous sport to be just going through the motions. Now, I’ve completely kind of changed my training. I live in Colorado now. Life is a lot different. My mentality is completely different. I’m not just going out there to go through the motions and just take the win. I’m going out there because I want to destroy the guy.**
And destroy the guy, Girtz certainly did. With the momentum of a 3 fight win streak now at his back, Girtz is making some serious noise in the Bellator lightweight division. Prior to entering this fight, Girtz spoke with MMABRO on some potential next match ups if he emerged victorious. In light of what transpired tonight in the Bellator cage, any one of these matchup he mentioned would be logical next steps and a win for the Bellator fans.
You know, I still want Marcin Held. I got a problem with ankle locks and knee bars. I don’t know, I’ve just never liked them. I don’t know why I just really don’t like those things. I think he [Held] would be a great fight. A lot of my fights hit the ground a lot you know. This would really just showcase me keeping it on the feet, and I know I would just destroy him on the feet. I really love that matchup. I think Patricio Pitbull would also be some fireworks. He likes to throw man, and I think it would be a nonstop action fight between the two of us.**
For now, Brandon Girtz will take a well-deserved week off, hit up the dog park with his buddies Pat Barry and Rose Namajunas, and let his mind decompress if only for a short while.
A win is you got a little weight off your shoulder for a second. I like to take a complete week off. I know some people that are back in the gym on Monday, and its like you need to take some compression time down. This is a tough sport. I feel like its one of the toughest sports. It’s a high emotional and mental thing, and you need to decompress a little bit afterwards.**
As Brandon stated in his post fight interview with Bellator commentator Jimmy Smith, he is indeed a changed man, and the rest of the Bellator lightweights need to watch out.
I'm going to start taking them out one by one.
** MMABRO interview with Brandon Girtz 10 NOV 2015
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