In a Bellator featherweight grand prix field packed full of established names, one man is looking to deliver a statement of intent as he embarks on the most exciting chapter in his roller coaster MMA career.

British star Saul Rogers kicks off his tournament campaign when he takes on Germany’s two-time title challenger Daniel Weichel on Saturday at Bellator 228 in Inglewood, Calif. And “The Hangman” says he’s heading into the grand prix not just as a dark horse, but as the most underestimated man in the tournament.

Indeed, Rogers’ skills were the topic of a heated on-air debate during the Bellator 226 broadcast as former Strikeforce lightweight champion Josh Thomson and former referee-turned-fight analyst John McCarthy argued over Rogers’ wrestling credentials. Thomson sided with the Englishman, saying he had some of the best wrestling in the tournament, and Rogers appreciated “The Punk” arguing his corner.

“Yeah, he’s a smart guy,” Rogers told MMA Junkie with a laugh before turning his attention to McCarthy’s comments. “Do you know what? I think I’m being highly underestimated. After I get my win on Saturday night, me and Big John are gonna be having words. He was arguing so strongly against me I was like: ‘Come on! Chill, John!’

“There’s some great wrestlers in the tournament, but I feel I mix it up extremely well, and I feel like Josh Thomson has been the only one from the beginning who’s bigged me up and given me that push, so it’s going to be all the more sweeter when I’m done with this tournament, I’ve got the belt around my waist, and my legacy is cemented. You just give me the opportunity, and that’s it. I’ll show everybody.”

Rogers’ opportunity to throw down with Bellator’s best 145 pounders is exactly what he’s been dreaming of ever since his UFC dream fell by the wayside in 2015. Despite dominating the field, visa issues meant he was unable to return to Vegas to contest the final, and his subsequent shot in the UFC never came. Now delighted to be a Bellator fighter, Rogers (13-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) says he appreciates his current situation even more, given the roller coaster of emotions he went through earlier in his career.

“For a long time I’ve always believed in my abilities, and you know all the situation with ‘TUF’ and all that, and I was a bit bitter and in a place of entitlement, you know?” Rogers admitted. “Because if you win ‘The Ultimate Fighter,’ and you know what comes with that. You get your contracts, and you’re set for that. So I always thought I was kind of above where I was, and I didn’t have to work for anything. I’ve done this now, so everything should come to me. That was a very bad mindset, a destructive mindset that I carried around with me for a couple of years after that situation.

“Then, when I actually signed with Bellator, I looked at this new opportunity and this new venture where I can showcase my talents and build my legacy. My whole mindset flipped. So this is the first time in my life I’ve got a great home behind me.

“Bellator are doing massive things. They’ve put me in this tournament, which is absolutely huge, and I feel this is where I need to be now to have the best fights and have the freedom to be who I always wanted to be. I’m fighting for Bellator, and I know my objective is to be the Bellator featherweight champion. I’m so grateful and blessed that I’ve been given this second chance and given this spot to be me.”

And as he prepares to put on a show at The Forum, the Brit hopes to follow in the footsteps of two of his fellow countrymen, who produced some of the most magical moments of their respective careers at the famous Inglewood venue.

Michael Bisping stunned Luke Rockhold to capture the UFC middleweight title at the arena back at UFC 199 in 2016, while Bellator’s own Paul Daley delivered a highlight-reel moment to remember when he knocked out Brennan Ward with a spectacular flying knee at Bellator 170 in 2017. Rogers said he’d love to add another flashy Forum moment to sit alongside those of his two predecessors.

“I hope I can get a spectacular finish like that. That’s what I’m looking forward to,” Rogers said. “People have said it’s an iconic venue, but it doesn’t make a difference to me if I’m fighting in my back garden, or whether I’m fighting at that venue, or fighting at a football stadium – it makes no odds to me.

“Although it’s nicer fighting in these iconic venues, it not gonna hold any power over me. Whether every single Brit who’s stepped foot in there has remained undefeated, or if every single Brit who’s stepped in there has lost, it’s going to make no difference to how I’m feeling, how I perform and my energy going into that fight. In a few years to come, some other up and comer will be talking with somebody and my name will be added to that list. But until then, I’m just focused on the task I’ve got in front of me.”

That focus is crucial for Rogers, who says he refuses to be distracted by the lure of the Bellator featherweight title and the $1 million prize money awaiting the winner. His job, he says, is simply to win four fights in a row.

“If all I do is focus on every single person they put in front of me, beat every single person they put in front of me, everything else takes care of itself,” he said. “The belt comes with that, the million dollars comes with that, my legacy comes with that.”