Bellator Results from Iowa’s US Cellular Center

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (October 18, 2013) – The final results are in for the Bellator MMA event live from Iowa’s US Cellular Center. The night was headlined by the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals with Ron Keslar finishing War Machine in the first round and Rick Hawn defeating Brent Weedman to advance to the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final. Keslar will face Hawn on November 22^nd from Sands Casino Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Rick Hawn defeats Brent Weedman via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Ron Keslar defeats War Machine via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 3:31

Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove defeats Joe Vedepo by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Peter Graham defeats Eric Prindle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley defeats Karl Amoussou by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Paul Sass defeats Rod Montoya via Submission (toe hold) – Round 1, 2:01

Catchweight Feature Fight (150lbs): Rob Emerson defeats Jared Downing via Submission (heel hook) – Round1, 1:44

Catchweight Feature Fight (160lbs): Brandon Girtz defeats Mike Estus via Verbal Submission (armbar) - Round 1, 4:25

Catchweight Feature Fight (161lbs): Cliff Wright Jr. defeats Derek Loffer via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:28

Featherweight Feature Fight: Andre Tieva defeats Christopher Lane via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 2:14

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA          

Bellator Weigh-In Results from Iowa’s US Cellular Center

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (October 17, 2013) –  The Bellator MMA weigh-ins have been completed from the US Cellular Center in preparation for Bellator MMA’sOctober 18th event, which will showcase the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals and full card of local talent.

Bellator MMA will take place from the US Cellular Center on Friday, October 18th with the first fight taking place at 6:00 p.m. CST and streaming LIVE on Spike.com. The televised portion of the night will begin at 8:00 p.m. CST and will air LIVE on Spike TV.

MAIN CARD: 

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Brent Weedman (170.7) vs. Rick Hawn (170.4) 
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Ron Keslar (170.7) vs. War Machine (170.5) 
Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (185.7) vs. Joe Vedepo (185.2)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Eric Prindle (265.6) vs. Peter Graham (246.6)

PRELIMINARY CARD:Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley (171) vs. Karl Amoussou (170.6)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Rod Montoya (155.8) vs. Paul Sass (155.1)
Catchweight Feature Fight (150lbs): Rob Emerson (145.6) vs. Jared Downing (148.3)
Catchweight Feature Fight (160lbs): Brandon Girtz (160) vs. Mike Estus (157.6)
Catchweight Feature Fight (161lbs): Derek Loffer (160.4) vs. Cliff Wright Jr. (154)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Andrew Tieva (144.6) vs. Chris Lane (146)

 

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA     

Bellator Host Live Weigh-Ins Thursday, October 17th at 5:00 p.m. CST from Iowa’s US Cellular Center

Weigh-Ins will be streamed online at Bellator.com

Newport Beach, CA. (October 15, 2013) – The weigh-in and pre-fight press conference for Bellator MMA will take place Thursday at 5:00 p.m. CST at Exhibit Hall A & C inside US Cellular Center (370 1st Ave E, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401). Bellator MMA will take place from the US Cellular Center on Friday, October 18th with the first fight taking place at6:00 p.m. CST and streaming LIVE on Spike.com. The televised portion of the night will begin at 8:00 p.m. CST and will air LIVE on Spike TV.

All participants from Friday night’s event will be on hand, as well as Bellator CEO & Chairman Bjorn Rebney.

The event will be emceed by Bellator cage announcer Michael C. Williams and Bellator color commentator Jimmy Smith.

As always the weigh-in is open to both the public and media. 

MAIN CARD: 

 
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Brent Weedman (22-8-1) vs. Rick Hawn (16-2) 
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Ron Keslar (10-3) vs. War Machine (14-4)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (18-13) vs. Joe Vedepo (14-6)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Eric Prindle (8-3) vs. Peter Graham (8-5)

PRELIMINARY CARD: 

Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley (20-5) vs. Karl Amoussou (16-5-2)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Rod Montoya (15-15) vs. Paul Sass (13-2)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Rob Emerson (12-10) vs. Jared Downing (9-3)
Catchweight Feature Fight (160lbs): Brandon Girtz (9-3) vs. Mike Estus (3-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Derek Loffer (4-1) vs. Cliff Wright Jr. (7-5)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Andrew Tieva (6-0) vs. Chris Lane (8-10)

 

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA          

Bellator Makes Iowa Debut to Host the Welterweight Semifinals from U.S. Cellular Center on Friday, October 18th

Newport Beach, CA. (September 30, 2013) – The Toughest Tournament in Sports will make its way to Iowa for the first time on Friday, October 18th, as Cedar Rapid’s U.S. Cellular Center  plays host to Bellator MMA’s Welterweight Semifinals. The event will be broadcast live on Spike TV at 8 p.m. CT and also showcase a handful of Iowa’s local talent. Tickets for the event can be purchased by visiting Ticketmaster.com or by contacting the U.S. Cellular Center Box Office. 

Iowa’s own Paul Bradley will fight in front of his home state and face former Bellator Welterweight Tournament winner, Karl Amoussou. A two-time all-American wrestler at Iowa, Bradley holds an impressive 20-5 professional record and will make his Bellator debut on October 18th. 

Fellow Iowa native Joe Vedepo will also step into the Bellator cage will and face Kendall Grove in a middleweight battle. Known for developing a modified shin choke called “The Vedepo Choke”, Vedepo has won seven of his 14 victories by submission, six coming in the first round.  Four additional Iowa athletes will fight on the preliminary card and all of the preliminary fights will card will be streamed exclusively on Spike.com.

Headlining the night will be one of the most talented divisions with the Bellator Welterweight Semifinals. Judo Olympian Rick Hawn will face former Bellator Tournament Finalist Brent Weedman and the always exciting War Machine will battle semifinalist Ron Keslar.  

The full fight card is listed below.

MAIN CARD:Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: Rick Hawn (16-2) vs. Brent Weedman (22-8-10
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinal: War Machine (14-4) vs. Ron Keslar (10-3)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Eric Prindle (8-3) vs. Peter Graham (8-5)
Middleweight Feature Fight: Kendall Grove (18-13) vs. Joe Vedepo (14-6)

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Welterweight Feature Fight: Paul Bradley (20-5) vs. Karl Amoussou (16-5-2)

Featherweight Feature Fight: Rob Emerson (12-10) vs. Jared Downing (9-3)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Rod Montoya (15-15) vs. Paul Sass (13-2)

Featherweight Feature Fight: Derek Loffer (4-1) vs. Cliff Wright Jr. (7-5) 
Lightweight Feature Fight: Mike Estus (3-0) vs. Cole Williams (9-2)
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/BellatorMMA          

Bellator Hosts 100th Event September 20th Live From Phoenix’s Grand Canyon University Arena

Newport Beach, CA. (August 22, 2013) – The Toughest Tournament in Sports continues from Phoenix’s Grand Canyon University Arena on Friday, September 20^th live on Spike. The long awaited Bellator MMA Welterweight Tournament Final between Ben Saunders and Douglas Lima will take place along with the opening rounds of the Fall Welterweight Tournament and a full card of Phoenix’s top-talent.

Tickets for the event can be purchased by visiting the Grand Canyon University Arena Box Office or www.GCUArena.com,with tickets starting at just $25. The event will be broadcast live starting at 6 p.m. PST on Spike, as well as in Spanish language on mun2.

After making his Bellator debut in July and defeating Mike Barreras with second round knockout, Bubba Jenkins will return to the cage and face LaRue Burley. A former NCAA wrestling champion and known for his dominating ground game, Jenkins holds a 4-0 professional record and has won three of his four fights by first round submission.

The night will also feature a battle between fan favorite Efrain Escudero and Zach Surdyka.  Although Surdyka has posted only one professional lost, he will have to hold off the seasoned Escudero, who has recorded 12 submission victories in his 19 professional wins.

The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com starting at 4:30 p.m. PST.

The full fight card is listed below.

MAIN CARD:

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final: Ben Saunders (16-5) vs. Douglas Lima (24-5)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Sergio Junior (29-11) vs. Matt Riddle (7-3)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Mark Scanlon (9-2) vs. Herman Terrado (11-2)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Justin Baesman (14-3) vs. Brent Weedman (21-8-1)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Vaughn Anderson (16-1-1) vs. War Machine (13-4)

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Featherweight Feature Fight:  LaRue Burley (2-0) vs. Bubba Jenkins (4-0)

Heavyweight Feature Fight: Dan Charles (6-0) vs. Mighty Mo (3-2)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary (4-0) vs. Beau Tribolet (7-2)

Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Clifford Starks (8-2) vs. Joe Yager (5-2)

Welterweight Feature Fight: Johnny Buck (12-8) vs. Adam McDonough (8-0)

Bantamweight Feature Fight: Brandon Bender (11-0) vs. Travis Marx (20-4)

Lightweight Feature Fight: Zack Surdyka (5-1) vs. Efrain Escudero (19-7)

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BellatorMMA    

Lima vs. Saunders Final Headlines Loaded September 20th Event Live From Phoenix’s Grand Canyon University Arena

Plus the Opening Round of Bellator’s Fall Welterweight Tournament

Newport Beach, CA. (July 26, 2013) – The long awaited Bellator MMA Welterweight Tournament Final between Ben Saunders and Douglas Lima will take place live on Spike, Friday, September 20^th from Phoenix’s Grand Canyon University Arena. The night will also feature the opening round of the Bellator’s highly anticipated Fall Welterweight Tournament.

Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting the Grand Canyon University Arena Box Office or www.GCUArena.com,with tickets starting at just $25. The event will be broadcast live starting at 6 p.m. PST on Spike, as well as in Spanish language on mun2. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com starting at 4:30 p.m. PST.

With a combined record of 40-10, Bellator veterans Saunders and Lima will face off after a number of delays due to injury. A crowd favorite, Saunders cruised through the semifinal with a first round KO against Raul Amaya to punch his ticket to the tournament final.

"I can't wait for this fight,” Lima said. “I have been injured back to back, but this time I'll be 100% and we going to have one of the best fights of the year. I am ready to fight for the belt and I am coming hard!”

Having already climbed his way through a previous Welterweight Tournament, Lima knows what is takes to earn his title shot at the Bellator Welterweight World Championship and Saunders is the only obstacle standing in his way.

Crowd favorite and MMA veteran Matt Riddle will make his Bellator debut against Brazilian standout Sergio Junior. Known for his strong wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu background, Riddle joins Bellator after coming off four-straight victories with the UFC and is ready to face some of the best talent in the Bellator cage.

“This division is just so stacked, and I am so excited to be able to fight in this tournament,” Riddle said. “Bellator is doing a lot of great things right now, and I want to be a part of it.”

With a stacked Welterweight Tournament, former Bellator Tournament Finalist Brent Weedman looks to make his way through the tournament as he faces Justin Baesman, who steps into the Bellator cage for the first time in his professional career.

“My injury in the last tournament left me with unfinished business,” Weedman said. “I am glad that there is so much talent in this tournament, because nobody cares if you beat someone they've never heard of. I want tough competition to showcase my abilities.”

The Welterweight Tournament field is also rich with new blood as the always electrifying War Machine will battle Canadian Vaughn Anderson, who holds an impressive 16-1 professional record. After making his Bellator debut in June, War Machine is anxious to showcase to the nation the type of fighter he is.

“I am very excited to be a part of this tournament after my previous two attempts to be in a tournament fell through,” War Machine said. “As they say, the third time is the charm and this is my time. My opponent, Vaughn Anderson, has a very impressive record, but when I watched his fights all I could do was smile. For me, he is a match made in heaven and I am going to wreck him.”

The night will round out with new Bellator blood as England’s own Mark Scanlon will face knockout artist Herman Terrado. Scanlon will need to hold off Terrado’s heavy hand as he has won four of his last five fights via knockout.

“Phoenix is a location we’ve had on our radar for a long time and we wanted to deliver a stacked card for our first visit to Grand Canyon University,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “We’ve got a lot of familiar faces to go along with some new Bellator arrivals, and like always, our welterweight field continues to be loaded with talent.”

Bellator MMA Main Card:

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Final: Ben Saunders (16-5) vs. Douglas Lima (24-5)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Brent Weedman (21-8-1) vs. Justin Baesman (14-3)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: War Machine (13-4) vs. Vaughn Anderson (16-1-1)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Matt Riddle (7-3) vs. Sergio Junior (29-11)

Bellator Welterweight Tournament Opening Round: Mark Scanlon (9-2) vs. Herman Terrado (11-2)

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA, follow Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney @BjornRebney and check out Bellator on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/BellatorMMA     

Hawn wins Season 6 Lightweight Tournament, Heavyweight Champ Konrad successful in first defense

Nogueira advances to Season6 Bantamweight finals, Local favorite Clementi victorious 

New Orleans, La. (May 25, 2012) — Bellator Fighting Championships returned to “The Crescent City” Friday night for the close of Bellator’s action packed sixth season. Bellator Heavyweight Champion Cole Konrad made the first successful title defense of his career while Rick Hawn won the Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament with a dynamic performance. Also, Luis Nogueira will move on to the finals of the Bellator Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament and Rich Clementi picked up an impressive victory at Bellator 70 from Harrah’s in New Orleans, Louisiana LIVE on MTV2 and in HD on EPIX.

“The performance Rick Hawn and Brent Weedman delivered was a fantastic way to close our sixth season,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney said. “Cole Konrad once again proved why he is one of the best heavyweights in the world, while Luis Nogueira advanced in dominating fashion. Harrah’s New Orleans provided us with a great venue, and our Summer Series is shaping up to be one for the ages.”

Heading into their fight in “The Big Easy,” Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament finalists Rick Hawn and 

Brent Weedman dominated their competition through the first two rounds of the tournament.  With an opportunity to face Bellator World Lightweight Champion Michael Chandler within reach, both men were eager to prove their status as the #1 contender. Throughout a fight engaged primarily on the feet, both fighters were able to land solid shots in front of an electric New Orleans crowd. However, it was the polished striking and the world-class takedowns of Hawn (14-1) that ultimately led him to victory. For three rounds, Hawn appeared to land the harder shots while Weedman (21-8-1) tried his best to deliver strikes of his own. However, it was not enough as all three judges awarded Rick Hawn a unanimous decision victory as he becomes the Bellator Season 6 Lightweight Tournament Champion             

“Chandler, I know you’re watching at home, I’m coming for you,” said Hawn.    

In his first title defense since defeating Neil Grove at Bellator 32, undefeated Bellator World Heavyweight Champion and two-time NCAA Wrestling Champion Cole Konrad looked to send a message to all the heavyweights on the Bellator roster, and he did just that against challenger Eric Prindle. Almost immediately, Prindle (7-2) came out throwing with ill intentions, however Konrad (9-0) secured a signature takedown and began working for a kimura. Prindle tried to fend off the Champion’s submission attempt, but was unable to gain a better position. Konrad twisted with increasing intensity until the “The American Soldier” was forced to submit 1:00 into the fight.              

“I think I have a pretty solid base with my wrestling,” said Konrad. “I’ve got to keep improving on my standup, my submission, and my wrestling, too.”

In the second Bellator Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament semifinal fight, four-fight Bellator veteran Luis Nogueira and Hiroshi Nakamura squared off with the winner meeting Marcos Galvao for the tournament championship. Throughout the bout, the reach advantage for Nogueira (14-2) was evident. While the first round was close, the second and third is where Nogueira found his rhythm. In the second, the Japanese star Nakamura (15-6-4) found himself on the receiving end of crisp striking and a big full body slam. In the third round, Nogueira came out just as aggressive as he was in the second. After an exchange on the feet, Nogueira was able to land a right hand that floored “Iron.” After a series of follow up punches, referee Jason Herzog stepped in to stop the fight at 1:58 of the third round.          

“Since the start of the fight, I knew he was feeling my punches,” said Nogueira. “I was looking for the right moment to finish the fight.”  

In the first fight of the evening, 56-fight MMA veteran and local fan favorite Rich Clementi looked to earn his first win under the Bellator umbrella when he met promotional newcomer, Derek Campos. Clementi (43-21-1) showed patience in the opening moments of action, letting Campos (9-3) dictate the pace of the fight. However, after a quick scramble to get back to his feet, Campos found himself in a guillotine choke that “No Love” did not abandon. With no way out, Campos was forced to tap at 4:18 of the first round.       

“As a competitor, the valleys are what makes me strong,” said Clementi. “I’m at my peak right now, I’m coming back, and ‘No Love’ is back.”   

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