Exclusive: Former Bellator Champion Talks Controversial Carvalho Vs. Manhoef Title Fight
Brandon Halsey may have came up short in his most recent fight, but he's pretty outspoken in how Bellator and his former middleweight championship should be represented.
That's why when Melvin Manhoef and the man who defeated Halsey for that title, Rafael Carvalho, had an underwhelming fight at Bellator 155 in May, Halsey wasn't pleased. Not only that, he knows why the fans weren't pleased, either.
“There were a few things that rubbed me the wrong way. Professional fighters – we're showmen. We put on fights, we put on entertainment, and that fight wasn't entertaining. It was boring to watch. (Carvalho) fought scared and it showed. Being a fellow fighter and a showman, it was hard to watch. The second thing was that you're representing the company I'm fighting for, and it puts a bad name on Bellator. The third thing was watching the guy who took the belt off of you represent himself and the company as a pathetic excuse of a champion," Halsey told Fightful.com
The split decision victory for Carvalho was a controversial one. Halsey said at the time, he was kind of happy, because he wanted another crack at the man who took his title.
"When you're a champion and you put it on the line and go out to finish fights," said Halsey. "He didn't do that. When they went to read the decision, a part of me was upset, because I knew I wanted to fight Carvalho. They read that via split decision for Carvalho and I was in shock. I had Manhoef winning that fight. The selfishness came out of me and said 'you know what? This is great.' It's god's way of saying 'you get to smack this guy down and get your belt back.'”
Things also didn't go Halsey's way at Bellator 156, as he dropped a fight to UFC veteran John Salter. However, Halsey believes that the fans want Carvalho beaten.
“People are left with salt in their mouth after that fight," explained Halsey. "Carvalho kind of disappointed the fans. They want to see (someone) destroy this guy who left a salty taste."
