SAN JOSE, Calif. – Bellator heavyweight Javy Ayala didn’t even let his manager finish the offer before he agreed to welcome Roy Nelson to the promotion.

“Growing up, I’ve watched Roy fight since I was younger,” Ayala told MMAjunkie. “He’s one of the reasons that got me into the fight game. It’s kind of surreal that I’m fighting him now.”

Ayala promises he won’t get starstruck when they meet Saturday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., for Bellator 183, which airs on Spike. In his previous fight, Ayala was a big fan of Sergei Kharitonov, and that didn’t stop him from landing an overhand right that floored the Russian.

“He’s just another man in front of me,” Ayala said.

But Nelson (21-14 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is a tough night of work, and he arrives after Ayala (10-5 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) served a long layoff following his upset victory. Given the UFC vet’s name recognition, though, Nelson might be the win that warrants a title shot.

Right now, the No. 1 contender spot is up for grabs. One-time title challenger Cheick Kongo is on a five-fight win streak. Matt Mitrione has won three straight, including a first-round KO of Fedor Emelianenko. And there’s Ayala and Nelson, who could easily step into the spotlight with a win.

Nelson has suggested a heavyweight grand prix to find the rightful champ, an idea that Ayala loves. But, of course, he’s in the same bracket as his hero, so he’ll have to end those dreams on Saturday.

Ayala is the decided underdog coming into the fight, but he’s been here before and proved fans wrong.

“In the beginning, it would get to me with people saying, ‘He’s going to get his butt whooped,'” Ayala said. “But now, I use it to motivate me, and it helps fuel me through workouts.”

Nelson is impossibly durable as a competitor, so it’s unlikely one punch will be the difference. Ayala is prepared to throw as many as necessary.

“I’ve got to tell myself, ‘How bad do you want it, Javy? How bad do want to win this for your family?’ I just tell myself I’ve got to push through it,” he said. “If I’ve got to beat him up for 15 minutes, I’ll beat him up for 15 minutes.”

For more on Bellator 183, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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