Hisaki Kato's power is no joke.While the Japanese middleweight may not have a name readily recognized by fight fans in the United States, there is a good chance they've seen his work. Kato has notched two exciting showings under the Bellator banner, and even though he's split his wins and losses evenly, Kato always steps in to bring the violence.Kato's performances have also yielded two potential "Knockout of the Year" candidates, and he's happy to have the attention of the fight community."It's a good feeling to be recognized for my striking and knockout power. When I come into the fight I'm not really thinking about how anyone else thinks. I just want to have a great performance and strong win. But I'm very happy that people believe some of my knockouts are among the best of the year."The next step forward Kato has the potential to take will come at Bellator 162 on October 21 in Memphis, Tennessee. He will face A.J. Matthews in a fight the California native desperately needs to win in order to keep his prospect status alive.Kato isn't concerned with records or pressure that may be hanging over the fight. The only thing he cares about is putting on a show, and Kato promises fans in Memphis will get what they paid for."The goal is to always finish my opponent, but a fight is a fight," Kato said. "Anything can happen in there, but I am going to do everything I can to put my opponent away. I want to have a great performance for the fans."Kato has found his groove as of late and notched back-to-back victories in 2016. The first of which came under the RIZIN banner, but his second -- and certainly most high profile -- came in his rematch with Joe Schilling at Dynamite 2 in St. Louis, Missouri on June 24.After Kato leveled Schilling inside the MMA cage with a highlight reel-worthy superman punch at Bellator 139 in June 2015, the two men decided to square off once more. Yet, the rematch was slated as a kickboxing bout, and despite his opponent's massive experience advantage, Kato still emerged victorious.The 34-year-old landed a spinning backfist that put Schilling on the canvas, and put a stamp on what Kato sees as the final chapter of their rivalry.Photo Credit: Bellator"After two knockouts I think so," Kato laughed. "He thought he was going to win the first fight inside of the cage and that didn't happen. Next, they challenged me to a kickboxing fight because they thought they would win and he got knocked out again."I don't have anything to do with it anymore. I won in MMA and kickboxing so there is no rivalry. I won."Although Kato notched a huge feather in his camp from the kickboxing realm, that is not an avenue he will be traveling again any time soon."It was never my plan to switch between the two sports," Kato said. "I just had an opportunity and I took it. My plan is definitely to stay in MMA and further my career."