Eduardo Dantas (photo via Lucas Noonan / Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Eduardo Dantas worked his way to a split decision win over Leandro Higo at Bellator 177, but the bantamweight champ admits staying motivated for the fight was difficult.

Dantas faced the LFA champ in the main event of Friday’s card, but since Higo missed weight for the contest, the bout was a non-title affair. Higo agreed to step in as a replacement for Darrion Caldwell in March, after the latter withdrew due to injury. After Friday’s win, Dantas had this to say about the bout, and Caldwell (quote via Bellator press release).

“It was tough to stay motivated for this fight once he missed weight. There was nothing to gain whether I beat him fast or slow. It wasn’t for the belt, it wasn’t going to change my ranking in Bellator,” Dantas said. “When [Darrion] Caldwell got injured, I asked Scott Coker to bring in tough bantamweights and they brought in a tough fighter, but you have to make weight. I train hard for several months, I don’t go out, I train. It’s the very minimum you can do. You have to make weight. Be a professional. I don’t think Caldwell is injured. I think he just doesn’t want to fight out of America. I am looking forward to getting my hands on him.”

The 28 year-old Dantas moved his overall record to 20-4 with the win, and extended his winning streak to four.