Darrion Caldwell Opted for Activity Over Waiting for Bellator Bantamweight Title Shot

Darrion Caldwell’s triumph over Joe Warren at Bellator 151 seemed like a surefire statement victory, one that would propel him to a title shot in his next bout. After all, the NCAA national champion wrestler from North Carolina State University had just absolutely manhandled a former two-division Bellator titlist, suplexing the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” with ease and battering him with ground-and-pound before securing the fight-ending rear-naked choke 3:23 into the opening frame. With six straight wins to begin his promotional tenure, the last of those being the most impressive of all, “The Wolf” appeared to have officially arrived. As it turns out, Caldwell will have to win one more fight before challenging for 135-pound gold, as he faces the surging Joe Taimanglo in a title eliminator at Bellator 159 on Friday night. The event takes place at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan., and airs on Spike TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. At first glance, it would appear that Taimanglo, whose most notable win in seven Bellator outings is a decision over Sirwan Kakai, is a step back from Warren. But Caldwell doesn’t see it that way. “He’s earned the right to fight me. He’s working his way up just like I am,” Caldwell told Sherdog.com. “Who wants to stay idle? Who wants to build ring rust? Not me. I’m …

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