Saul Rogers committed to stay at lightweight after Bellator 266: 'I feel brand new'

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Saul Rogers’s return to 155 pounds paid off.

The Bellator fighter had a dominant showing and picked up an impressive win his first fight back at lightweight. Rogers (15-4 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) defeated veteran Georgi Karakhanyan in a unanimous decision win on the main card of Saturday’s Bellator 266 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.

Rogers had been competing at 145 pounds for the past two years and had mixed results at 2-2 during that stretch. After a successful return to lightweight, Rogers is confident the move is permanent.

“I feel brand new,” Rogers told reporters at the post-fight news conference. “Usually when fight week comes, I’m killing myself to make 145 and I don’t want to do anything. My team always tries to get me to get workouts in and I’m lying in bed and to physically get up. Because I’m starving all week, it’s an effort.

“This week, me and the boys have been out on the scooters and we’ve been all over. I’ve had lots of energy. I’ve enjoyed fight week and this is literally the first time I’ve enjoyed the whole process.”

Rogers thinks the move to lightweight improved his in-cage performance and his enjoyment of fight week. He also sees himself being more active since lightweight allows him to do quick turnarounds if the opportunity arises.

The Englishman is hoping to fight at Bellator 267 in London on Oct. 27. It’s a quick jump back to competition, but one he can do now at 155 pounds.

“I’m looking to fight anyone,” Rogers said. “I think there’s been a pull-out at the Bellator London card in two weeks. I’m going to speak to my manager and see if that’s a possibility.

“I just want to be as active as I can. I’m not killing myself to make 145. I’d do a fight at 145 and I’d have to wait a month or two for my body to recover from the weight cut. At 155, I feel like I can go home, see my kids and my girlfriend, and back at it. I want to get on that Bellator London card. If not, on that Dublin card before the end of the year. In my mind, I want another win before the end of 2021.”