UNCASVILLE, Conn. - August 11, 2021 - BELLATOR Middleweight World Champion Gegard Mousasi and No. 1 ranked middleweight John Salter previewed their BELLATOR MMA on SHOWTIME main event clash during a virtual media availability Wednesday. The event contributes to an action-packed month of fights on SHOWTIME and begins live at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

The BELLATOR MMA 264 main card also features a matchup between two of the hardest-hitting welterweights on the planet as former champion Andrey Koreshkov takes on the No. 10 ranked Sabah Homasi in the co-main event. Plus, No. 3 ranked bantamweight Magomed Magomedov squares off with No. 4 ranked Raufeon Stots in a bout holding major title implications.

Rounding out the main card is a battle between undefeated heavyweights No. 7 ranked Davion Franklin and Everett Cummings, along with a middleweight bout between KO-machine Ty Gwerder and the BELLATOR-debuting AKA-product Khadzhi Bestaev.

Here is what the fighters had to say Wednesday:

Gegard Mousasi, BELLATOR Middleweight World Champion

"I definitely would take a fight against one of the Paul brothers if they would think of me as an opponent. They can pick their opponents. If they want to fight, I wouldn't say no that's for sure.

"If I can, I will take Salter down one hundred percent. I think he will look for the takedown constantly and if he fails, I wouldn't mind punching him and doing some ground and pound on him. That's definitely an option to go on the ground.

"My mindset entering this fight is good. My last two fights were decision fights. So I'm not satisfied. But it was also the style of the fighter, Douglas Lima didn't bring the fight to me. This guy needs the takedowns to win the fight. I'm not going to lay down and fight from my back. My plan is to get right back up and if it's necessary fight him. If it needs to be technical standing up, I don't think he can hang with me there."

John Salter, BELLATOR Middleweight

"I assume me beating his training partner Costello van Steenis lit a fire under him some. I try to look at those fights as completely separate even though they train together because they're two different type fighters. But I'm sure it's something that at least put me more on the radar.

"It's been a long road. I've been fighting for a long time. A lot of big fights. It seems like I get a big fight, I win and then I end up fighting a lower-ranked person and people forget about me. I think this is a fight that will really cement where I am in the world of MMA at 185 pounds."

Andrey Koreshkov, BELLATOR Welterweight

"My opponent is a dangerous striker himself. What makes him even more dangerous is his physical qualities. He's very explosive and strong which allows him to land very strong punches. If you take a look at his fights, there are quite a lot of decent fighters who he rocked with his strikes. He's pretty good at everything. He has good kicks, good punches and he is intuitive when he fights. He finds good moments for his attacks and he's quite versatile in his attacks.

"For any fighter, it's his main goal and his dream to become the best and be No. 1. I'm not an exception. It's my goal as well to be the best fighter which would mean becoming a champion."

Sabah Homasi, BELLATOR Welterweight

"I'm expecting the best Andrey Koreshkov on Friday night. He's a former champion. I know I have a tough fight ahead of me but I'm well-prepared and I'm ready to go. I believe I'm going to get my hand raised on this one.

"Being on American Top Team is the greatest thing that ever happened to me in my life. I joined them at a young age and they've molded me into who I am today. I thank them all so much for everything and the opportunity they've given to me."

Magomed Magomedov, BELLATOR Bantamweight

"My transition to BELLATOR has been smooth so far. I'm 2-0 in the BELLATOR cage and I think that the winner of this fight is going to get the contender shot or the title shot.

"I'm not worried about the grappling aspect. I'm a striker first but my grappling has been great as well. Wherever the fight goes, I'm ready for it."

Raufeon Stots, BELLATOR Bantamweight

"I'm so excited for this matchup because a lot of people say he could possibly be the best bantamweight fighter in the world. He beat Petr Yan, so he's got a claim to that. So I'm excited to take that on and feel that and see where I stack up. I feel I stack up very well. Regardless of the general public opinion, I feel like I am the guy. I'm the best in the world so I'm going to go out and prove it Friday.

"My mindset has been the same since I got to BELLATOR. Confident, fearless in all that I do. I'm coming out to dominate, excite and finish fights. My opinion about Magomedov is that he's a very good fighter but I don't feel like he stacks up as well as me athletically and in the striking department."