Brooks (left) exchanging with Awad (photo via Bellator.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Saad Awad has participated in some big fights before under the Bellator banner, and after extending his winning streak to three, he’s been tapped for another high profile assignment.

Following a decision win over Rob Sinclair in April the fighter has been booked to fight Patricky “Pitbull” Freire. It’s a pivotal fight not only because it’s against a noted vet like “Pitbull”, but it’s also the co-main event for the August 28th, Bellator 141 card.

“Ya, I’m happy about it,” Awad relayed on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter’s podcast. “When they recently told me about the fight I was excited about it, but they didn’t mention it was going to be co-main event. Then I got the news the other day, just what fight it is, and then they announced it today, so I’m excited about it.”

Although Awad has been with Bellator now since 2013, and has gone 6-2 during that time, the 32 year-old admits he wasn’t expecting to get top billing in his next bout.

“It kind of did,” said Awad, when asked if he was surprised by the booking. “I know when I was on the main card, and the last card that I headlined, when I fought (Will) Brooks, it was under Bjorn (Rebney). So when (Scott) Coker came in, he changed a lot of things, cut a lot of people, started bringing a lot of people in, so I kind of felt like I went back to the back of the ladder, and I had to climb back up again.”

“So I was surprised; I knew it would happen, I just wasn’t sure when it would happen,” added Awad. “I thought they might give me a main card fight and then go from there, but, ya, I was surprised but I’m happy about it.”

Bellator 141 will be headlined by a lightweight fight between Brandon Girtz and recently signed, Melvin Guillard. Since the heavy handed Guillard is a veteran fighter and a well known, UFC vet, the featured fights could determine who will fight champion Will Brooks next.

“I don’t know if they’re looking at it as these are four lightweights that are doing pretty good, and if one of them goes out there and puts on a really great show, and gets a really nice win, they’ get a title shot? Awad noted. “But who knows you know? That’s what I’m thinking.”

It will be interesting to see, however, what happens if both Guillard and Awad get wins. Guillard is likely a more familiar name with mainstream fans, but Awad has fought Brooks twice, and each man has defeated the other.

“Do I agree with it? No,” said Awad, while discussing the possibility that Guillard could be handed a title shot over him. “You know what I mean? Is that what I think could happen? I probably think that’s going to happen because I’m not going to sit here and pray for a title fight, like I did before. I’m just going to go out and keep fighting. If I have a boring fight, I’ll go to the  back of the line again. If I go out there and finish somebody quick, maybe I’ll skip someone in line and get the title shot.”

Bellator 141 will be hosted by the Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, California.