Undefeated Cruiserweight Junior Wright to take on Marlon Hayes this Friday night in Detroit

Chicago, IL (August 13, 2014) -- This Friday night at the Royal Oak Theater in Detroit, undefeated Cruiserweight contender Junior Wright (10-0-1, 9 KO's) will be back in action in an 8-round bout against Marlon Hayes (23-14, 11 KO's).   This will be Wright's first appearance since his thrilling Fight of the Year candidate with fellow undefeated Steve Bujaj on May 15 at the Millennium Theater in Brooklyn, NY. The incredible Wright - Bujaj fight will be replayed this Saturday night on Comcast Sportsnet Chicago at 11 PM    Wright of Evanston, Illinois (just outside of Chicago)  will be looking for an impressive performance against Hayes, who has faced the very top competition which includes world champions and top contenders.   "Training has gone well and I am ready for Friday night,"said Wright. "Even though Hayes has a lot of fights, I really do not know much on him.  I do a lot of stuff instinctively and I prepare for anything he can bring." Boxing fans in New York are still talking about his epic war with Bujaj and despite the physicality of the bout, Wright did not take too much time away from the gym. "I got back in the gym about a week and a half after the fight.  I knew I had this  fight coming up so I gave myself a good month and half camp for this." Wright did some reflecting back on his classic with Bujaj and he thinks the two could meet again down the line. "I felt I could have used my jab more  and probably used more head movement.  It was a good fight.  Even though most of the fans believed I won, a draw was just.  I wouldn't mind a rematch." Wright is a recent signee of Dmitry Salita's Star of David Promotions and he believes that the former world title challenger is the right promoter to get him the big opportunities. "Dmitry has good intentions for me and as long as I do well, I know he will get me the big fights.  I know that the Cruiserweight division is based in Europe, so I want to make the Europeans like Mayweather has had success with the Hispanic fighters. This Friday, Detroit should be for a Hurricane."", finished Wright. Said Wright's trainer Rick Wilson, "There were some things in the Bujaj fight that should have been called like 8 or 9 low blows and an instance where we feel Junior was on his way of stopping Bujaj and the ref stopped it to give an 8-count but there is no 8-count in New York." "We are  focused on Hayes.  He has fought world class guys and has gone the distance with them.  He is crafty who knows how to survive." Like Wright, Wilson likes the direction that Salita and Star of David Promotions is going with him. "I have a good feeling about Dmitry's vision and passion.  We want to become the American  Cruiserweight World champion.  In  2 or 3 fights down to road go to Europe and look for a big fight there.  There is a lot of opportunity as not only the champions are based there but the two guys in England in Nathan Cleverly and Tony Bellew are also on our radar."  Friday's show at Royal Oak Theater is promoted by Kaltsas Productions.

The Big 10's Live from Champaign, Illinois Saturday on Takedown Radio!

Fight Now TV Presents Takedown Wrestling. Our Mobile Brute studios present the Big 10's LIVE from Champaign, Illinois from Assembly Hall! Takedown Wrestling is brought to you by Kemin, Inspired Molecular Solutions!

This Saturday it's Takedown Wrestling Radio from 9 to 11 AM CST/ 10 AM to 12 Noon Eastern.

The Balance of Saturday and Sunday join Steve Foster, Jeff Murphy, Chad Kriz and company for Takedown Media's annual broadcast of the Big 10's LIVE from Champaign, Illinois Live from Assembly Hall!

 

This Saturday and Sunday join Steve Foster, Jeff Murphy, Chad Kriz and company for Takedown Media's annual broadcast of the Big 10's LIVE from Champaign, Illinois.  

 

Tune in to this FREE broadcast on TheMat.com or TheMat.tv courtesy of USA Wrestling and Takedown Wrestling Media. 

 

2013 Big Ten Wrestling Championships Schedule

 

Saturday, March 9-Sunday, March 10 • Radio Broadcast starts at 9AM  CT to 11:00

Saturday:

Session I – 11:00 a.m. CT   theMat.com/TheMat.tv
     

Session II –  5:00 p.m. CT   theMat.com/TheMat.tv

Sunday:

Session III –  11:30 a.m.CT theMat.com/TheMat.tv
        

Session IV – 1:30 p.m. CT  theMat.com/TheMat.tv

Site: Assembly Hall (Champaign, Ill.)

2013 Big Ten Championships Pre-Seeds 

Fans, Athletes, Coaches Join in the conversation LIVE 866-333-5966  515-204-5966 Join us LIVE 9 to 11 AM CST for  Takedown Wrestling. Listen on radio, on computer, your Blackberry or  I Phone with the I Heart Radio App.    KXNO.com,    Takedownradio.com,   I Heart Radio App

Scott Casber - Takedown Wrestling Media - 515-707-8657

B.J. Futrell becomes all-time school record holder in career pins

Illini Dominant at Journeyman Duals

TROY, N.Y. -- The No. 5 Fighting Illini wrestling team began their dual season impressively as Illinois went 3-0 at the Journeyman Duals in Troy, N.Y. Illinois moved past Princeton 46-0, No. 15 Maryland 31-6 and No. 24 Binghamton 39-10 to finish the day undefeated. No. 3 B.J. Futrell (141) and No. 16 Daryl Thomas (133) highlighted the day as Futrell won each bout by pin, becoming the all-time school record holder in career pins with 34 total while Thomas defeated two top-20 ranked opponents en route to going 2-0 on Saturday.

"We as a staff were pretty pleased with our effort" Heffernan said. "We competed hard and were aggressive throughout the day. We were especially impress with Daryl Thomas beating two ranked guys convincingly. It was also good for Jordan Blanton to reverse an earlier loss from the all-star meet against Maryland. B.J. Futrell was dominate all day with three falls, breaking the school record for most falls in a career. Pat Walker has made a noticeable jump in the way he is competing and is off to a great start. Conrad Polz looked fantastic in all three matches."

Illinois moved past Princeton as No. 3 Jesse Delgado opened the dual with a 20-6 major decision over Max Rogers, while Thomas followed with a 22-7 technical fall against Garrett Frey to give the Illini the early 9-0 lead. Futrell followed with a pin against Nick Maselli to push the score to 15-0 before Caleb Ervin moved past his opponent, Zach Bintliff with a 6-4 decision. At 157, Matt Nora posted a 11-6 decision over Kyle Roddy, while Conrad Polz followed with a 14-3 major decision over Judson Ziegler to extend the Illini lead to  25-0. Jordan Blanton earned a 21-2 technical fall victory over Ryan Callahan, while Tony Dallago (184) moved past Scott Gibbons 12-4. The Illini won the 197 bout by forfeit before Pat Walker pinned Charles Fox to give the squad a 46-0 shutout victory over the Tigers.

"It was a strong start to our dual season but as always we need to get back to work at practice and finish the semester off on the right note to continue to build momentum," Heffernan said. "We have the opportunity to be a very good team if we pay attention to details, train the right way and believe in ourselves."

The Fighting Illini faced its next opponent, No. 15 Maryland in the team's second dual of the day. The first four Orange and Blue grapplers defeated their opponents, including Daryl Thomas defeating his first of two ranked opponents on the day as he moved past No. 15 Geoff Alexander 7-3. The Terrapins were on the board after Danny Orem defeated Matt Nora 3-1, however the Illini led 15-3 heading into the 165 weight class. Polz pinned Josh Snook in an incredible 12 seconds, before Blanton moved past No. 4 Josh Asper 3-1in overtime to push the lead to 24-3. Dallago dropped his 9-2 decision to No. 8 Jimmy Sheptock, however Mario Gonzalez defeated Ty Snook 6-5 and Walker capped the team victory with his 20-5 major decision over Carl Buchholz to make the final score 31-6.

Delgado started the Illini's final dual of the day with a pin in 1:52 over Binghamton's Mike Sardo, with Logan Arlis earning a 12-8 decision and Futrell recording a pin in 1:45 to put the Illini ahead 15-0. Futrell's pin against No. 15 Joe Bonaldi gave him the honor of becoming Illinois' leader in career pins with 34 and counting. The Bearcats' scores came from No. 4 Donnie Vinson's 8-0 major decision over Caleb Ervin and Nate Schiedel's pin of Jeff Koepke gave them 10 team points. At 165 and 174, Polz and Blanton gave the Illini bonus points by winning their bouts by major decision and pin, respectively. Dallago kept the momentum going for the Orange and Blue by defeating Cody Reed 8-5 and Pat Walker pinned heavyweight Tyler Deuel to give the Illini the overall win 31-10. 

The Fighting Illini will travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa to compete in the Northern Iowa Open on Saturday, Dec. 8.

#5 ILLINOIS 46, Princeton 0

125 - #3 Jesse Delgado (ILL) maj. dec. Max Rogers 20-6 

133 - #16 Daryl Thomas (ILL) tech. fall Garrett Frey 22-7 (5:45)

141 - #3 B.J. Futrell (ILL) pinned Nick Maselli (5:14)

149 - Caleb Ervin dec. Zach Bintliff 6-4

157 - Matt Nora dec. Kyle Roddy 11-6

165 - #5 Conrad Polz maj. dec. Judson Ziegler 14-3

174 - #6 Jordan Blanton tech. fall Ryan Callahan 21-2 (6:00)

184 - #11 Tony Dallago maj. dec. Scott Gibbons 12-4

197 - ILL win by forfeit

HWT - Pat Walker pinned Charles Fox (1:48)

#5 ILLINOIS 31, #15 Maryland 6

125 - #3 Jesse Delgado (ILL) dec. Shane Gentry 4-1

133 - #16 Daryl Thomas (ILL) dec. #15 Geoffrey Alexander 7-3

141 - #3 B.J. Futrell (ILL) pinned Sean O'Malley (3:18)

149 - Caleb Ervin (ILL) dec. Lou Mascola 8-3

157 - Danny Orem dec. Matt Nora (ILL) 3-1

165 - #5 Conrad Polz (ILL) pinned Josh Snook (0:12)

174 - #6 Jordan Blanton (ILL) dec. #4 Josh Asper SV1 3-1

184 - #8 Jimmy Sheptock dec. #11 Tony Dallago (ILL) 9-2

197 - #5 Mario Gonzalez dec. Ty Snook 6-5

HWT - Pat Walker maj. dec. Carl Buchholtz 20-5

#5 ILLINOIS 39, #24 Binghamton 10

125 - #3 Jesse Delgado (ILL) pinned Mike Sardo (1:52)

133 - Logan Arlis (ILL) dec. Derek Steeley 12-8

141 - #3 B.J. Futrell (ILL) pinned #15 Joe Bonaldi (1:45)

149 - Donnie Vinson maj. dec. Caleb Ervin (ILL) 8-0

157 - ILL win by forfeit

165 - #5 Conrad Polz (ILL) maj. dec. Vincent Grella 12-1

174 - #6 Jordan Blanton (ILL) tech. fall John Paris (5:00)

184 - #11 Tony Dallago (ILL) dec. Cody Reed 8-5

197 - Nate Schiedel pinned Jeff Koepke (ILL) (2:17)

HWT - Pat Walker (ILL) pinned Tyler Deuel (2:32)

Scott Casber - Takedown Wrestling Media - 515-707-8657

ANDRZEJ FONFARA HITS "RUN THE RIDGE" 5K THIS SATURDAY MORNING; PREPS FOR GLEN JOHNSON CLASH ON JULY 13TH

Attached Photo/Courtesy Magda Marczewska, Event Poster also attached CHICAGO, IL (June 20, 2012) World ranked light heavyweight professional boxer Andrzej "The Polish Prince" Fonfara will take a short break from his intense training this Saturday morning, June 23rd to participate in the "RUN THE RIDGE' 5K in Burr Ridge, Illinois. The 24 year old Fonfara is spending the excessively hot summer Chicago days preparing for his showdown with former world champion Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson in the main event at "CROSSROADS" set for Friday, July 13th at the UIC Pavilion and broadcast on ESPN Friday Night Fights. "Training has been terrific and I will be at my very best to face Johnson on July 13th. The heat in Chicago over the last week has worked to my advantage, particularly during training and sparring sessions" said Fonfara. The "RUN THE RIDGE" 5K, sponsored by Codilis and Associates PC benefits the Turning Pointe Autism Foundation. Continued Fonfara, "As part of my training I run almost every day and I'm happy to contribute my time to this most worthy cause." For more information on the "RUN THE RIDGE" 5K, visit their website at right-fit.com Just 24 years old, Fonfara, 21-2-0 (12 KO's), has built a reputation in the vast Chicago Polish community and among local boxing fans as a hard punching, all action fighter with dynamite knockout power in both hands. In his last start on March 16th, Fonfara brutally stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the third round in front of thousands of local supporters at the UIC Pavilion. A native of Warsaw Poland, now based in Chicago, Fonfara is currently ranked #9 by the World Boxing Association. Compiling a record of 51-16-2 with 35 knockouts, future Hall of Famer Glen Johnson holds wins against numerous boxing legends and former world champions including Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver, Clinton Woods and Chicago's Montell Griffin. The co-main event will feature a ten round welterweight battle between legendary two-time former world champion Jose Luis "EL Terrible" Castillo and longtime Chicago fan favorite Ivan "EL Marro" Popoca. Presented by 8 Count Productions, Warriors Boxing, Round 3 and Blue Wave Boxing, advance tickets for "CROSSROADS", priced at $151, $101, $51 and $31, can be obtained through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices, 312-226-5800 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office, 312-413-5740. The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Harrison, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45pm. ABOUT 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS 8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland. Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, world ranked light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca and Adrian Granados along withwelterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera. For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit their new website, 8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at "8 Count Productions". ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation. With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it's credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table. When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibraginov-Holyfield. For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at warriorsboxing.com.

GLEN JOHNSON VS. ANDRZEJ FONFARA; JOSE LUIS CASTILLO VS. IVAN POPOCA

TICKET ALERT!!!

ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS,

JULY 13TH AT CHICAGO'S UIC PAVILION

"CROSSROADS"

CHICAGO, IL (May 9, 2012) Tickets are now on sale for ESPN Friday Night Fights' "CROSSROADS", set for Friday, July 13th at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois.

Presented by 8 Count Productions and Warriors Boxing, the event will be headlined by a ten round light heavyweight clash between former world champion Glen "The Road Warrior" Johnson and Chicago's popular world ranked contender, "The Polish Prince" Andrzej Fonfara.

The co-main event will feature a ten round welterweight battle between legendary two-time former world champion Jose Luis "EL Terrible" Castillo and longtime Chicago fan favorite Ivan "EL Marro" Popoca.

Advance tickets for "CROSSROADS", priced at $151, $101, $51 and $31, can be obtained through Ticketmaster (Ticketmaster.com, 1-800-745-3000), the 8 Count Productions Offices, 312-226-5800 or the UIC Pavilion Box Office, 312-413-5740.

The UIC Pavilion is located at 525 S. Harrison, at the corner of Harrison and Racine on the campus of University of Illinois-Chicago. Doors on the night of the event will open at 7pm with the first bell at 7:45pm.

Said Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions, 'It's an honor to bring Glen Johnson and Jose Luis Castillo to Chicago for their first time in their brilliant careers. Fonfara and Popoca are both very excited to test their skills against these former world champions and future Hall of Famers on July 13th at the UIC Pavilion."

"Fans should move quickly for the best seats, as public demand for tickets for this event is expected to be very high, it's going to be a very special night for Chicago fight fans."

Stated Leon Margules of Warriors Boxing, "Glen Johnson has always accepted challenges to fight anywhere in the world against any opponent. Along with being a world champion, Glen truly has earned the nickname "Road Warrior". Against a hard-hitting young lion like Fonfara in his hometown, Johnson once again proves that he is always willing to travel anywhere for the toughest challenges."

Compiling a record of 51-16-2 with 35 knockouts, future Hall of Famer Johnson, hold wins against numerous boxing legends and former world champions including Roy Jones, Antonio Tarver, Clinton Woods and Chicago's Montell Griffin.

In 2010 and 2011, Johnson participated in the SHOWTIME broadcasted and highlyacclaimed Super Six Super Middleweight Tournament, knocking out perennial contender Allan Green in the eighth round on November 6, 2010.

Against Fonfara, Johnson will look to get back in the win column after two fierce battles in 2011 against Super Middleweight Champions Carl Froch and Lucian Bute.

Just 24 years old, Fonfara, 21-2-0 (12KO's), has built a reputation in the vast Chicago Polish community and among local boxing fans as a hard punching, all action fighter with dynamite knockout power in both hands.

Drawing huge crowds to all of his fights at the UIC Pavilion, Fonfara has won his last nine in a row all by knockout, eight of which have come at the downtown Chicago venue.

In his last start on March 16th, Fonfara brutally stopped former world champion Byron Mitchell in the third round in front of thousands of local supporters at the UIC Pavilion.

Fonfara is currently ranked #9 by the World Boxing Association.

A native of Mexicali, Mexico, Castillo has been amongst the popular Mexican fighters over the last fifteen years.

Although the two-time former world champion has faced and beaten a long line of outstanding fighters, he is perhaps best known for what many boxing writers believe is the greatest fight in the sports' illustrious history, the epic first bout against Diego Corrales on May 7, 2005 in Las Vegas. Drilling Corrales to the canvas twice in the 10th round, Castillo was stopped moments later while upright against the ropes.

Corrales, 63-11-1 (54KO's), also battled boxing's finest, Floyd Mayweather Jr. twice in 2002, losing a very close, controversial decision both times. It is widely thought that these were Mayweather Jr.'s toughest fights of his career.

Castillo won his first title against Stevie Johnston on June 17, 2000. Other former champions and contenders that Castillo has defeated over his sensational career include Joel Casamayor, Julio Diaz, Juan Lazcano, Cesar Bazan, Jorge Paez and Rolando Reyes.

Born in Guerrero, Mexico, the upset minded Popoca, 15-1-1 (10KO's), returns to action at the UIC Pavilion where he is undefeated, winning six in row in 2009-2010 including a sensational war over Jose Luis Soto Karass on May 29, 2010.

In his last outing on April 15, 2011, Popoca went to battle with highly regarded Russian contender Ruslan Provodnikov in a bout also broadcast on ESPN Friday Night Fights from Temecula, California. Fighting evenly over the first seven rounds, the bout was awarded to Provodnikov in the eighth as referee Pat Russell stopped the bout as Popoca got to his feet after being knocked down, despite Popoca's willingness to continue.

A full selection of undercard bouts featuring Chicago's finest prospects will be announced shortly.

ABOUT 8 COUNT PRODUCTIONS

8 Count Productions, HOME OF THE BEST IN CHICAGO BOXING, was started by Dominic Pesoli in 1998 and has consistently presented the highest quality professional boxing events in Chicagoland.

Fighters currently under the 8 Count Productions banner include; super middleweight contender Donovan George, world ranked light heavyweight Andrzej Fonfara, former world title challenger Edner Cherry, middleweight prospect Viktor Polyakov, junior welterweight prospects Ivan Popoca and Adrian Granados along withwelterweights Achour Esho and Jaime Herrera.

For more information on 8 Count Productions please visit their new website,www.8countproductions.com. Follow them on Twitter at 8_Count and Facebook at "8 Count Productions".

ABOUT WARRIORS BOXING

Launched in 2003, Warriors Boxing operates under a simple philosophy-bring the best boxers in the world to fight fans, match them in competitive bouts, and in doing so help re-establish the sport of boxing for a new generation.

With a series of successful Pay-Per-View shows and packed houses to it's credit, the Warriors business model is working wonders in a sport that was sorely in need of the innovation and energy that the company brings to the table.

When it comes down to it though, a promotional company is only as good as the fighters and fights it promotes. Warriors Boxing has delivered on all fronts, with outstanding bouts such as Lara-Molina, Cayo-Peterson, Abraham-Miranda I and II, Miranda-Pavlik, Miranda-Green, Ibragimov-Briggs, Ibragimov-Klitschko, Urango-Hatton, Urango-Bailey, Cayo-Maidana and Ibraginov-Holyfield.

For more information on Warriors Boxing, visit their website at www.WarriorsBoxing.com.

Meet Stephan Bonnar's New Hero

Falcao, Santos and Vasilevsky impress in debuts; Rogers devastates Vianna in Season 6 Middleweight Quarterfinals at Bellator 61

CHICAGO, Ill. (March 16, 2012) — The quarterfinals of the Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Tournament have wrapped up as four tournament participants have advanced to the semifinal round. Maiquel Falcao, Vyacheslav Vasilevsky, Bruno Santos and Brian Rogers all earned dominant victories at Bellator 61 from The Horseshoe Riverdome in Bossier City, Louisiana LIVE on MTV2 and in HD on EPIX.

The Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Semifinals will take place at Bellator 66 from the I-X Center in Cleveland, Ohio on April 20. Ohio’s own Brian Rogers will face Bruno Santos, while Maiquel Falcao will battle Vyacheslav Vasilevsky.

“I’ve been saying this for a long time, this is the strongest group of middleweights we’ve ever had in any tournament and they’ve proved it tonight,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “I want to thank the great fight fans in Louisiana for coming out again and supporting Bellator, and I want to thank our fighters for putting on another fantastic show.”

In the main event of the evening, knockout artist Maiquel Falcao was looking to display his dominance in his Bellator debut while Bellator veteran Norman Paraisy was hoping to spoil the first fight for “Big Rig” in the U.S. since 2010. While Paraisy landed some significant shots over three rounds, Falcao appeared to land the more devastating strikes that had the Frenchman hurt on several occasions. Content on keeping the fight standing, Falcao battered Paraisy with strikes to the body and the head for the majority of the last two rounds. When the final bell sounded, Maiquel Falcao earned a much deserved unanimous decision victory and a spot in the Bellator Season Six Middleweight Tournament semifinals.

With the win, Maiquel Falcao improves his record to 29-4 and earns just his fourth decision win in 33 fights. Norman Paraisy loses for just the second time in his professional career, both coming inside the Bellator cage.

“I was thinking about the knockout,” Falcao said. “I was trying hard. He’s a tough guy. I’ve always been a fan of Norman Paraisy. The important thing is I got the win. I want to thank Bellator for giving me a chance to come back.”

Owning a 14-fight unbeaten streak, 23-year-old Russian phenom Vyacheslav Vasilevsky was aiming to make a statement in his U.S. debut; and Season 5 Middleweight Tournament participant Victor O’Donnell was looking to erase the memory of his last fight against fellow tournament participant Brian Rogers. While the first round proved to be a competitive affair, “Slava” showed in the later rounds exactly why he is touted as one of the top middleweight prospects in the sport. Vasilevsky viciously attacked O’Donnell both standing and on the ground. O’Donnell displayed an enormous amount of resiliency as he tried to evade the surging Russian’s assault. However, the power and precision proved to be too much for O’Donnell as all three judges scored the fight unanimously for Vyacheslav Vasilevsky.

With the victory, the once-beaten Vyacheslav Vasilevsky earns his first win under the Bellator banner and moves on to the semifinal round of the Bellator Season 6 Tournament. O’Donnell, who loses for the second time in the quarterfinal round of a Bellator middleweight tournament, falls to 11-4 in his professional career.

“I want to thank all the American fans who came out today,” Vasilevsky said. “I plan to keep it exciting and put on a great show for everyone. Thanks to all my coaches for this victory.”

Bellator Middleweight Tournament participants Giva Santana and Bruno Santos made it well known what their game plans were heading into their quarterfinal fight. Nicknamed “The Arm Collector,” the submission specialist Santana was looking to add another arm to his collection while Santos, 16 years the junior of the 40-year-old Santana, was counting on keeping the fight standing. Through the first two rounds, the majority of the action was spent on the feet with both fighters landing hard shots. However, Santos turned it up in the final frame as he landed the more damaging strikes, looking to leave a lasting impression in the minds’ of the judges. When the judges rendered their decision, all three scored the fight as a unanimous decision for Bruno Santos.

With the unanimous decision victory, Bruno Santos moves on to the semifinal round of the Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Tournament and remains undefeated at 13-0 in his professional career. Giva Santana loses for just the second time in 19 career fights as a professional fighter.

“I trained very hard for this fight,” Santos said. “I was able to follow my strategy and get the win tonight.”

In the first quarterfinal fight of the Bellator Season Six Middleweight Tournament, excitement was in the air as Bellator veterans Vitor Vianna and Brian Rogers were expected to bring fireworks when they squared off. The fight started with both men exchanging on the feet, however, Vianna soon made it known his intentions of bringing the fight to the ground. Rogers, showing excellent takedown defense, preferred to keep the fight standing where he was at a distinct advantage. Rogers rocked Vianna with a right cross and followed up with a highlight-reel flying knee that sent the Brazilian Vianna to the canvas. Referee Jason Herzog stepped in to stop the fight at 4:14 of the first round and give Brian Rogers the knockout victory.

Brian Rogers improves his record to 9-3 with all wins coming by stoppage and advances to the semifinal round of the Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Tournament. Vianna, who drops his second fight in a row, falls to 12-3 in his professional career.

“I’m a finisher,” Rogers said. “That’s what I do. That’s my third flying-knee knockout – Google it. I throw it and you’re not going to stop it.”

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator