Bellator bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell is ruling over a weight class which, according to the organization’s official website, has just 10 fighters on the active roster. Still, he doesn’t consider it to be a thin division.

As titleholder, Caldwell (11-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA) said his job is not to ensure the division has depth. It’s to rule it with an iron fist, and take out whichever contender is deemed most worthy of challenging for his belt. And if he runs out of opposition, he said he’ll simply move up and allow the category to replenish itself.

Still, Caldwell, who next puts his belt on the line against Leandro Higo (18-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) at Bellator 195 next month, thinks the state of bantamweight is far from crisis.

“You can’t call this a weak division,” Caldwell told MMAjunkie. “That doesn’t really concern me. There’s always going to be a contender; there’s always going to be a guy lined up. Whoever they put in front of me, I’m going to knock down.

“Obviously I have fought at 145 – I’m 5-0 there, and I’m a big 35er, probably the biggest in the world. Going back up to 145, it definitely interests me, it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to once I finish this guy, Leandro Higo, then Michael McDonald. Then I could have a superfight at 145 and beat the champ up there.”

Bellator 195 takes place March 2 at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. The card airs on Paramount following prelims streamed on MMAjunkie.

Some evidence in the argument that Bellator’s 135-pound class is top-heavy comes with Caldwell’s next fight. Higo received a title shot in his Bellator debut in April, but missed weight against then-champ Eduardo Dantas, turning the matchup into a non-title affair.

Higo lost to Dantas by split decision at Bellator 177, and just one win later, gets another chance at Bellator gold in the fight with Caldwell. “The Wolf” said he’s not concerned with the semantics of the situation, because in his mind his job only extends to what’s done in the cage. The rest he’ll leave up to Bellator brass.

“That’s not really for me to focus on,” Caldwell said. “Bellator, they know what they’re doing. If they think he’s a suitable contender, then that’s what he is. I’ve got the utmost confidence in Scott Coker, Rich Chou and Mike Kogan. They do a great job at making good fights happen. If they feel like he’s the next contender and he’s the next guy in line, then that’s what he is.”

As far as any concerns about Higo missing weight in a title fight of the second time, Caldwell said those don’t exist on his side.

“I’m sure he’s learned his lesson,” Caldwell said. “I’m not concerned with him and missing weight. If he wants to do that to himself, then that’s on him. But I’d imagine, when he was traveling and going outside the country (for his first title fight), that can happen. I’m sure that could have been an issue.”

Regardless of whether Higo shows up on weight, overweight or in the best form of his life, Caldwell said it’s not going to matter for the Brazilian. In Caldwell’s mind, it’s merely another warm body in his way that’s not going to be able to stop what he offers on fight night.

“I don’t see this guy making it past the first round, honestly,” Caldwell said. “Obviously I’m prepared for a five-round war if I’ve got to fight one, but one thing with this guy, knowing this guy, I don’t see where he poses any threats for me. He’s tough and strong, but everyone is tough and strong, and once I get my hands on this guy, he’s going to realize who is more dominant, and he’s going to look for a way out.”

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