Like him or not, it doesn’t really matter—Tywan Claxton is here to stay. 

Thus far in his professional career, the 26-year-old quote machine hasn’t just talked the talk—he’s walked the walk. In his three-fight Bellator MMA tenure, Claxton has passed all tests with flying colors. 

Last competing at Bellator 204 in August, Claxton dominated fellow up-and-comer Cris Lencioni from bell to bell.

“Overall, I dominated him on the feet and on the ground,” Claxton said in an interview with FloCombat. "There wasn’t too much time where I was in trouble, or where he hit me or hurt me. Other than not getting the finish, I dominated the fight.” 

The victory was quite the feat, but adding to the accomplishment, Claxton didn’t even have a true facility to train at during camp. For his next fight camp, the Ohio product decided he needed a change.

“Last fight, I basically trained out of my garage and I used a jiu-jitsu coach,” Claxton said. “For this fight, I actually opened up my own place called Warehouse Warriors. We got a nice, 24-foot cage and we ordered some bags from Bad Boy. We’ve got some mat space. This is my first camp out of my own spot.”

Friday night, “Air” Claxton will have the opportunity to go four-for-four against hometown fighter Kaeo Meyer. Claxton says he has nothing to prove. 

“I have nothing to prove to anybody,” Claxton said. “It’s another fight for me and I’m growing as a fighter. I’m getting more dangerous as a fighter. It’s just one more thing that’s in my way of getting famous. It’s one more step up the ladder that I have to take. Whoever thinks I have something to prove, sign a contract and I’ll show you better than I could tell you." 

Still motivated from going the distance in his last outing, Claxton says his main goal for this bout is to get in and out of the cage in swift fashion. He expects Maeo, however, to do everything in his power to return the favor. 

“I think I’m up for a tough fight,” Claxton said. “He’s a Hawaiian guy, and no one wants to lose in front of their fans or their girls–or girl—hey, you never know. I’m in for a tough fight and I’ve trained for a tough fight.

“I don’t care if it’s on the ground or on the feet. I’m looking to finish the fight. My last fight I did not get a finish and I was very upset about that. I’m going to be diabolical and dissect him and I’m gonna make him make bad decisions.”