Chidi Njokuani Says Experience will be a Factor Against Andre Fialho at Bellator 167 | MMAWeekly.com

Following a string of four decision wins in a row, Bellator welterweight Chidi Njokuani was able to get his first finish victory in over two year when he picked up a TKO win over Thiago Goncalves in June.

According to Njokuani, it was the fact that he was not pushing for the finish which lead to him actually getting it against Goncalves.

“I felt good and it felt good to get a knockout again after having so many decisions in a row,” Njokuani told MMAWeekly.com. “I could have done things a little bit different, but overall I’m happy with it.

“Coming up I was known for getting knockouts, but at the same time, I think that’s why I wasn’t getting them anymore because I was trying to force them. But now I’m getting back on sitting back, relaxing, waiting for the opportunity to be there and capitalizing on what I see.”

Finishes aside, Njokuani has been on one of the better winning streaks in MMA of late, to which he credits a more diligent attitude in his training.

“My problem was not being consistent in the gym, and it showed in my fights,” he said. “Now I’m constantly in the gym getting better. Now I’m giving myself time to actually learn and get better, instead of just going into the gym to get in shape before a fight.”

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On Saturday in Thackerville, Okla., Njokuani (15-4) believes he’ll have another opportunity to pick up a finish when he takes on fellow striker Andre Fialho (7-0) in a main card 170-pound bout.

“Most people say that they’re going to come out there and strike with me, but they end up trying to go for takedowns, but I don’t really expect him to do that,” said Njokuani of Fialho. “I think it’s going to be a nice striking clinic, but you never know.

“I think all I’ve really got to do is go out there and be myself and do what I’ve been doing. I don’t change up anything, I don’t do anything different in training camp; I just make sure I’m training. Just be myself and do what I do best.”

Having twice as much cage time as Fialho has, Njokuani feels his experience will play a part in the fight.

“The fact that (Fialho has) never been out of the first round is going to play into how the fight goes,” Njokuani said. “He’s good, don’t get me wrong, he’s not bad at all, but he just doesn’t have the experience, and I think that’s going to affect him and hurt him a little too.”

While picking up his third straight win in Bellator could help propel him towards a title shot, Njokuani is more concerned with making up for lost time this year with a much busier 2017.

“I’m cool with the title, but if not, I’m just trying to get paid,” Njokuani said. “I’m looking to have at least three fights next year. I got hurt this year, so it’s kind of my fault too, but I’m cool with three fights a year if I can help it.”

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