Nate Coy (photo via Bellator.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Nate Coy may not have been booked for Bellator’s upcoming welterweight tourney, but the Strikeforce vet will take one of the promotion’s more established 170’ers next, when he battles Paul Bradley, March 14th. Not only is the latter a former UFC competitor, but Bradley is coming off a decision win over ex-tourney winner Karl Amoussou. It’s a pivotal fight for both men, and it will mark the second time the two have fought. In 2009, Bradley earned a split decision win over Coy, when they squared off at a World Cagefighting Alliance card.

“He’s definitely a well skilled opponent with a good wrestling background,” Coy said recently on Full Contact Fighter Radio, while discussing his Bellator 112 bout with Bradley. “I had a loss to him five years ago so this is also a rematch, and we’re going to get that win back. It was a subjective win as well, because it went to the judges and some thought I won, some thought he won.”

“I would also like to remind people that Paul also beat Karl Amoussou…I find it interesting that he defeats a winner of a tournament and he’s still left out of it,” added Coy. “I think that’s unfortunate but it is what it is. We’re both going to be motivated to win this next fight; that’s for sure.”

Following Coy’s decision win over Andy Uhrich at Bellator 101, the noted wrestler was hoping to gain entry into the next welterweight tourney, before he was booked to fight Matt Riddle. The bout with Riddle never materialized, however, and Coy remains on the outside of the tourney looking in.

“I was told I’d fight in the tournament; it would take a good win. I got that win and then I was told if I beat Matt Riddle there was no doubt I’d be in the tournament,” said Coy while referring to Riddle, who was eventually released by Bellator, after he withdrew from the November 22nd bout. “He flaked out and I was kind of left hanging…I was also told I was going to fight Paul Bradley first round of the tournament; I am finding Paul Bradley but it isn’t in the first round of the tournament.”

Nate Coy (photo via Bellator.com)

“I would imagine that’s exactly what it is,” added Coy, when asked if his fight with Bradley is serving as an alternate bout for the Season 10 tourney. “We’re fighting on the same day as the welterweight tournament so I would imagine that we’re both alternates. If there’s an injury beforehand, one of us steps in, if there’s a couple maybe both of us do. Maybe we’ll fight in the first round of the tournament. I’m not really sure.”

Since Bradley was released by the UFC in 2011, following consecutive losses to Rafael Natal and Mike Pierce, the Alliance MMA fighter has gone 3-1. Like Coy, the Bradley is a former All-American wrestler.

“I think he’s going to be good everywhere,” Coy said about Bradley, while discussing how the veteran has improved since the two fought in 2009. “He doesn’t look so hesitant. He looks like he’s moving better on his feet; quicker hands. That’s what I expect, quicker hands. More calculation in when to strike; more punches in bunches. I feel that’s where he’s gotten better. Just timing and executing the delivery of the combinations.”

“It will be fun to see,” furthered Coy. “Five years have past, our skills have developed, and we’ll showcase them March 14th in Indiana.”

Bellator 112 will be hosted by the Venue at the Horseshoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana.