Emmanuel Sanchez (photo via Bellator.com)

By Kelsey Mowatt

Emmanuel Sanchez (10-2) may be coming off a defeat as he prepares to face Henry Corrales at Bellator 143 tonight, but the featherweight hasn’t let the setback diminish his confidence.

In June, Sanchez was tapped to fight former champ Pat Curran at Bellator 139, and after three rounds, the latter was awarded a unanimous decision. The loss marked the first time Sanchez had been defeated in over two years, and snapped a six fight winning streak.

“It was a win-win for me taking it,” Sanchez relayed on a recent episode of Full Contact Fighter Radio, while reflecting on the defeat. “It was a little awkward, because I was just previously training with him before hand…I did my best, and tried to come out with the victory, but it just didn’t go my way. I lost in the judge’s eyes.”

“But, I gave a former champ a run for his money. He has more fights in Bellator than I do professional. When he starting fighting in Bellator I was an amateur. So, my time will come. It was just a matter of experience and I took the fight on short notice as well.”

Sanchez was tapped for the opportunity after he scored wins over Stephen Banaszak and Alejandro Villalobos in his first two Bellator outings.

“I proved that I gave him a run for his money and that I’m a contender,” added Sanchez. “No one knew who I was before that fight they know me now, and after September 25th.”

Corrales (12-1) is also coming off a loss to a former champ, as he was submitted by Daniel Straus in June. The bout was the featherweight’s first with Bellator.

“I feel like he’s tough, he’s gritty; a formidable foe…” Sanchez said about Corrales. “He brings a lot to the table but I believe I bring more to the table. He may have won more professional fights than I do, but, I believe I have more experience and that I’ve fought way better competition, and that I’m a little more exciting than he is as well.”

Bellator 143 will be hosted by the State Farm Arena in Hidaldo, Texas, and the main card will be broadcast on Spike.

In the main event, former bantamweight champ Joe Warren will take on LC Davis.