Joe Warren was unaware he was fighting on the preliminary portion of the Bellator 210 card until it came up in a pre-fight interview with MMAjunkie. For someone who has headlined 14 fight cards for the promotion, the news came as a pretty big surprise.

“I didn’t even know that,” Warren told MMAjunkie. “It’s pretty crazy. I can’t believe that. I’m a three-time world champ for Bellator. I think I build Bellator, I believe I was one of the people that helped build Bellator. I love Bellator. I’m not sure why I’m on the prelims, but I don’t make those decisions, I just go to fight. So I’m not really sure why I’m there.”

Warren (15-7 MMA, 13-6 BMMA) meets Shawn Bunch (7-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) in a bantamweight bout on the Bellator 210 prelims on Nov. 30, which take place at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla., and stream on MMAjunkie prior to the main card on Paramount and DAZN.

As a former two-division champion for the company, Warren is usually the main or co-main event. At worst he’s on the main card, but this time it’s different, and Warren said he’s unsure why such a decision was made.

In fairness to Bellator, the promotion has attempted to build up interest in its preliminary cards of late. As the company flourishes and signs more fighters, there are less main-card spots available. Bellator 210 is arguably the strongest prelim lineup in company history, with Warren being joined by other former event headliners, a former title challenger, a former kickboxing champion and more.

Warren doesn’t know how the card placement for Bellator 210 was decided, but he said he’s not overly upset about it. Even though he doesn’t think it’s the right call, he’s reminded by the fact his pay isn’t dictated by such matters.

“I don’t give two (expletives) as long as you pay me,” Warren said. “I’m not getting paid any less to fight wherever. I sell fights. I’ve brought in headlines and lots of energy to fights in my life. The same people will watch me this fight. I’m just happy to be back in the Bellator cage.”

Regardless of his position on the card, Bellator 210 represents an important fight for Warren’s career. The former bantamweight and featherweight champion has competed in six title fights in his Bellator tenure and said he wants to get back to that prestigious spot.

The timing works well for Warren, 42, too, he said, because the matchup with Bunch marks the second-to-last fight on his current Bellator contract. He said he’s not locking himself into any scenarios in regard to his future, but said he knows a big win will give him leverage to ask for what he wants during negotiations.

“I have one fight left after this on my contract,” Warren said. “I’m going to keep pushing hard. I feel like I’m the best, baddest man I’ve ever been. We’ll be trying to negotiate a new contract with Bellator and a (title shot) will be on the plate at that point. If not, then we’ll see what happens. I’m still a crazy fighter. I’ve never had injuries and never been run down. I’m excited for this next step here. We’ll see what happens. We’re open-minded for the future.”

Warren said he will be looking to assert himself quickly in the matchup with Bunch. A matchup of two amateur wrestling standouts can create all sorts of different possibilities in the cage, but Warren said he will be bringing the same attacks he’s come to be known for.

“I just see a violent pressure,” Warren said. “I’m going to keep that pressure forward and try to put him into a situation where I can finish him. I try to use my hands to get takedowns then ground-and-pound until he gives up.”

For more on Bellator 210, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.