Kamil Oniszczuk is over one week from making his debut at Bellator 287 in Italy, Milan.
The Polish international is set to face Costello van Steenis on the night, who already holds five wins under the organisation.
October 29th will mark Oniszczuk’s first outing of 2022, with his most recent coming in December of 2021 at ACA 133: Bimarzaev vs. Lima. Holding a 9-1 record, the 26-year-old could cause some real issues for the middleweight division.
Ahead of his trip to Milan, we spoke with Kamil Oniszczuk to get his thoughts on his debut with the promotion. Read the full interview below.
Interview With Kamil Oniszczuk
You are over two weeks out from making your Bellator debut in Milan and your return to the cage after nearly a year out of action. How are the body and mind after having a rest?
I’m focusing on the next fight. I’m ready and waiting for event.
Has there been any specific reason we’ve not seen you out in so long? Did you make the decision to take a break, or did it happen naturally?
I had a contract with the Russian organization ACA. When war broke out in Ukraine, my contract was over. I was looking for a new organization and signed a contract with Bellator MMA.
Bellator is a mainstream MMA promotion with eyes from all over the world watching it. Tell the readers how this opportunity with Bellator presented itself, and what does it mean to you to compete on a show of their stature?
I’m a new fighter in Bellator MMA. But I fought in the big league – ACA MMA. I’m ready for the big sports level, and I want to perform on a big show.
Kamil Oniszczuk Talks Preperation
How long have you had to prepare for your upcoming bout with Costello van Steenis, and who has helped you the most this camp with preparation?
I have very good preparation in my gym, the best Poland team Ankos MMA, and I train with Makhmud Muradov and Michał Oleksiejczuk, UFC middleweight fighters. I spar with Yaroslav Amosov, Bellator welterweight champ.
Costello van Steenis is no easy task for anyone making their Bellator debut. He’s had six fights with the promotion already, holding some great wins. Many fighters would want an easier task on their debut, but you’re diving straight in at the deep end. Are you always hunting the most challenging fights?
I know this is a fight for Costello. But this doesn’t matter to me. I have a two-KO win streak and two show bonuses in ACA. I’m ready to surprise and win this fight. I have better kicks, better wrestling, and more experience in grappling.
Is this fight with Bellator a one-fight deal or a multi-fight contract? Can we expect to see you remain under the organisation?
I have multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.
You made your amateur debut in 2013 in Wroclaw. Since then, how far has mixed martial arts developed in Poland to then, and now? Is it becoming more mainstream in the country?
Yes, MMA is more popular in Poland. More fighters, more gyms, more organization and a big TV MMA show, KSW.
What to Expect?
For our UK viewers who may not have seen you fight before, what can they expect from you when the cage door closes on October 29th?
On my side? Very good kicks, very good wrestling, and control.
Assuming you’ve done some study of Costello van Steenis’s game. Where do you feel the clear path to victory is for you? And what do you think he does well in there? Anything you need to be overly careful of?
Costello is a very dynamic striker but not a good grappler. I think it is a very good fight for me.
Lastly, can we get an official fight prediction?
Failure is not part of my game.
Featured image credits to Kamil Oniszszuk
