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**mattandbenny** · 06-14-2012, 03:02 PM

Bellator have recently announced the signings of several heavyweights. There are currently loads of guys in the mix for the season 7 tournament....

Bellator vets in contention
Thiago Santos (10-1)
Eric Prindle (7-2)
Mark Holata (12-3)
Ron Sparks (8-1)

New signigns in contention
Jon Madsen (7-1)
Brett Rogers (11-4)
Vinicius Queiroz (5-2)
Vitaly Minakov (8-0)
Ruslan Magomedov (8-1)
Alexei Kudin (14-4)
Kevin Asplund (15-1)
Mark Godbeer (8-1)
Ryan Martinez (7-1)

They of course also have Cole Konrad (9-0) who is their champion, and Blagoi Ivanov (6-0) who is recovering from a stabbing.

**mattandbenny** · 06-14-2012, 03:08 PM

My ideal 8 would be...

Thiago Santos (10-1)
Eric Prindle (7-2)
Jon Madsen (7-1)
Brett Rogers (11-4)
Alexei Kudin (14-4)
Vitaly Minakov (8-0)
Ruslan Magomedov (8-1)
Mark Godbeer (8-1)

With pairigns of
Santos v Rogers
Madsen v Prindle
Kudin v Magomedov
Minakov v Godbeer

I think this would be a good mix of guys coming back from the first season, UFC/Strikeforce vets, and unknown European fighters.

FixedPartialArt · 06-14-2012, 06:53 PM

Goodbeer hasn't done anything to warrant a tourney spot outside of be British ahead of BFC's impending negotiations with major sports stations in the state after UFC's deal with ESPN expires in August. I could see him being included for that lone reason, but on merit and scouting, he should have to win a or maybe even two qualifiers.

Godbeer's contending with:

Mark Holata who has won 9 of 10 w/ victories over Jordan, Marrero, and Wagner.

Sparks who has the same record and beat Holata.

Prindle who has nearly as good of a record and upended Sparks, Beast Boy, and Wagner; plus was the last tourney champ (albeit by default).

Beast Boy with a similar record who has beaten Garner, Rinaldi, and Harris.

Martinez similar record and the would be Pro Elite finalist.

Magomedov who has the same record and at least has trumped Ricco Suave, plus passes the eye test better IMO.

I'd have Godbeer fighting on undercards until he earns a spot.

Grabowski parted ways with Bellator after edging Huckaba BTW.

This would be my field:

Vitaliy Minakov
Thiago Santos
Mark Holata
Eric Prindle
Alexei Kudin
Jon Madsen
Beast Boy/Ron Sparks winner
Ryan Martinez/Ruslan Magomedov winner

Unfortunately the winner of Brett Rogers/Kevin Asplund is going to get an undeserving (IMO) spot, crowding out a better heavyweight, but these things have a way of working themselves out. Last HW tourney lost like half its participants along the way.

kantowrestler · 06-14-2012, 07:10 PM

What do you mean the tournament lost half it's contestants on the way?

FixedPartialArt · 06-14-2012, 07:16 PM

Thiago "Big Monster" Santos - visa then weight issues
Blagoi "Zombie" Ivanov - injury then stabbing
Mike "300" Hayes - failed medical

It was "only" 3 of 8, but that's nearly half. So if a guy gets hard done by the choices this season, they still have a good shot of being inserted as an alternate later on, and maybe can even skip a round.

kantowrestler · 06-14-2012, 07:19 PM

Are you talking about the first tournament cause Santos was in the finals of the second tournament?

FixedPartialArt · 06-14-2012, 07:28 PM

He was originally scheduled for the season 5 tourney until Visa issues excluded him.

Then he got those issues resolved and reentered as an alternate, replacing Mike Hayes in the semis. (hopefully Lins enjoys a similar break/path in the LHW tourney)

Then he of course got disqualified from the finals on the scales.

kantowrestler · 06-15-2012, 02:38 PM

Yeah, even though he had an extra week to make weight he failed. I seriously can't believe a heavyweight would fail after another week. It's not like he had to stop eating all together and then binge.

DaFreshestG · 06-16-2012, 04:18 AM

yea its coming along good heavyweights are a rare commodity well ones worth signing are and most are stationed home at zuffa but bellators got a nice little roster right now with them