Bellator lightweight Derek Anderson said the promotion gave him two options for the winter season of MMA: fight now or wait.

Of course, Anderson chose the former. He’s 26 and, naturally, interested in climbing the promotion’s ranks quickly while making the most money possible.

“I wanted to stay busy; it’s how I make my money,” Anderson told MMAjunkie Radio. “They offered me Paul Daley, and I said I’ll take that. I can beat Paul Daley.”

So Anderson (14-2 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) will take on Daley (38-14-2 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) for a Spike-televised bout on Friday at Bellator 163, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Daley is the most experienced and well-regarded opponent of Anderson’s career, which means the upside is huge with a potential win. On the flip side, a loss likely relegates him to a long list of talented fighters who’ve been concussed by the heavy-handed Brit.

Anderson would have avoided his current hurdle if he’d simply waited for Bellator’s other option, a February meeting with onetime UFC title challenger Josh Thomson (22-8 MMA, 2-0 BMMA). But the idea of sidestepping one fighter for another didn’t sit well.

It also rubs Anderson the wrong way that Thomson, a marquee name despite an 11-month layoff, might be able to sidestep him for a shot at the Bellator lightweight title. The way he sees it, he deserves the chance to be the other half of an eliminator fight.

“That’s my shot,” he said. “Josh Thomson, he better be trying to fight me first if he’s trying to fight for the belt.

“I’m not worried about any of the other lightweights. I want the title, and if Josh Thomson is in the way, I’ll take him out, too.”

Naturally, Anderson doesn’t make much of Daley’s skill set, and plans to dominate his opponent with his particular brand of striking, which previously has netted some impressive results. Wins over Patricky Freire and Saad Awad have paved his road to this critical matchup, while Daley is coming off a decision loss to former champ Douglas Lima.

“He’s a striker, but that’s just going to be a better fight for me,” Anderson said. “I like strikers with a lot of experience.”

After all, if Anderson is going to get what he wants at this stage in his career, he could do a lot worse than to get some cage time with someone who’s been in there for hours, laying hands on the sport’s best.

Check out the video above to hear more from Anderson.

For more on Bellator 163, check out the MMA Rumors section of MMAjunkie.

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