Bryan Baker’s Bellator Blog, Part 1

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Bellator Season 2 middleweight tournament finalist Bryan Baker (www.twitter.com/BryanBeastBaker) will blog his thoughts and experiences for Sherdog.com as he takes part in Bellator Fighting Championships’ fifth-season middleweight tournament, which kicks off with Bellator 50 this Saturday, Sept. 17, on MTV2 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

Once again, fight camp has been very intense as I prepare for Jared Hess. During my time in Bellator, I have had many challenges from different angles. I now have a second chance to get my belt and I am not going to let anything get in my way.

Along the way, I have received many blessings. In the past year, I have conquered the battle of leukemia.

I was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), a rare cancer, in April 2010. Although I still have to take medication daily, it has been comforting to know that my body is in full remission from the cancer.

I was just recently married and have been able to enjoy my wife, Megan, through this fight camp. She is my support and motivation. My fight camp has always been very powerful, as far as physical training. I am just what my nickname says -- a beast.

I go to the gym and give my 100 percent every single time. Fighting is not just physical; it is just as much mental. Beating cancer has assisted me in learning how to train my mind just as much as my body. I have a strong testimony of where I come from and who I am, and that's a major advantage for me.

I read the Bible every day and always remember where my blessings come from. This helps me stay positive and focused as I go deep into training mode. I want to be an inspiration to anyone who is facing any type of battle, anyone who is lacking hope. I want those people to know that anything is possible and not to let anything get in the way of their dreams.

I would like to thank my trainer, Thomas Denny for always believing in me, and my team at MMA Premier Fitness for their support and allowing me to beat on them through my training: Josh Cavan, Randy Caruso, Marcus Edwards, Josh Goldberger, Heather Sachleben and Allen Washington.

I would also like to thank my sponsors, All the Above Clothing, Gamma Labs, Flatline Energy Drink, Denver Chiropractic and Disciple Wear. They're all a part of this quest to get the Bellator middleweight title along with me.