BOSSIER CITY, LA, March 16, 2012 – Friday night MMA action is just a few short hours away with Bellator 61 set to commence from the Riverdome Horseshoe Casino in Bossier City, LA. The main card will feature the opening round of this season’s middleweight tourney and is set to air on MTV2 beginning at 8PM Texas time but before that, make sure to tune into Spke.com to catch the live stream of the prelims and several Texas fighters in undercard action.

We recently spoke to Plano-based bantamweight Jason Sampson (Mohler MMA) about this event. He’s due to open up the night in his first fight back since dropping the first decision of his career to Josh Montoya at the Fight Game event this past December. Taking on Austin-based Jeremy Myers (Relson Gracie), Jason is poised to put on a great showing and show why he’s a fighter to be reckoned with at the highest level of the sport.

We had a chance to speak to Jason briefly as he prepared for the fight this evening. Here are his pre-fight thoughts prior to stepping into the cage.

Bellator 61 Pre-Fight Interview – Jason Sampson

Sampson, how does it feel to be fighting for Bellator?  What does this mean for your career moving forward?

It feels great to be fighting for Bellator this Friday all the hard work is paying off. This is a great opportunity to take my career further and a chance to compete with the next level of competition. A win tonight in Bellator will only be the beginning of my run for the Bellator title at 135.

How ready do you feel to step into the cage tonight?

This has been my best training camp yet. I’ve had 6 six weeks of hard training with the best coaches and training partners in Texas so I’m ready to go.

What do you think of your opponent Jeremy Myers? Anything you have to be careful for in particular?

I see all my opponents as a threat, and I’m not focused on any particular part of his game. I’m focused on me and I’m ready for whatever he brings.

Without giving away your game plan, care to share any predictions?

I don’t like to predict my fights; I expect the worst but bring the best. My hand will be raised. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I hope Jeremy to go. God bless.

Any last words for your fans here in Texas as you head into the cage tonight?

I want to thank all my fans, friends and family for all their support and standing behind me. It means everything in the world to me to have all of you in my corner

Anything else you’d like to add?

I want to thank my girlfriend Susan for sticking by me day by day and putting up with all my bullshit around fight time. Love you babe. I want to thank my coaches, Coach Mohler, Sayif Saud, Joe Garcia, Johnny Lozano for all they do and believing in me and backing me up. I want to shout out to my dad Greg Kimbrell, my brother and all my family and friends for coming out to support me. A huge thanks to all my sponsors, Classic Chevrolet, Brad Jurica of Mental Training Inc, Dom Fight Gear, OTM. Thanks to my manager Matt Rossini of Imperial Fight Mgmt, and I want to thank you Mike for being so sexy and writing this article. Love you guys God bless.

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