[dudeabides]

Bellator 33
Date: Oct 21, 2010
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Venue: Liacouras Center (Temple University)
Broadcast: FOX Sports Net

MAIN CARD

* Champ Eddie Alvarez vs. Roger Huerta (non-title lightweight fight)
* Champ Lyman Good vs. Ben Askren (welterweight title fight)
* Rick Hawn vs. LeVon Maynard
* Deividas Taurosevicius vs. Wilson Reis

PRELIMINARY CARD

* Tim Carpenter vs. Jamal Patterson
* Nick Cottone vs. Tuan Pham
* Eduard Guedes vs. Chris Liguori
* Lester Caslow vs. Kenny Foster
* Lewis Cassner vs. Francis Evans

As expected Bellator lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (20-2 MMA, 4-0 BFC) will fight in his hometown and meet Roger Huerta (21-4-1 MMA, 1-1 BFC) at Bellator 33.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) first reported the three-round non-title fight earlier this month, and Bellator executives today made it official.

The event takes place Oct. 21 at the 10,000-seat Liacouras Center on the campus of Temple University in Philadelphia, and the night's main card airs live on FOX Sports Net.

Huerta got the title fight when season-two tournament winner Pat Curran was forced out of a scheduled title fight with Alvarez due to injury. Curran upset Huerta in the semifinals of the eight-man tournament to get the title shot, which is now expected to take place in early 2011 as part of Bellator's fourth season.

"Roger Huerta, Philadelphia, Oct. 21 – this is a dream fight for me," stated Alvarez, who won the organization's season-one tourney, which also earned him the lightweight belt. "I've never even lost a fight here in the United States, so I'm definitely not going to start in my hometown of Philadelphia with all of my people there. That's not going to happen. Not a chance."

Alvarez enters the main-event bout with a five-fight win streak and 10 victories in his past 11 fights. Eight of the 10 wins came via stoppage, including submission victories over Greg Loughran, Eric Reynolds and Toby Imada in the season-one tourney and Josh Neer in a season-two non-title fight. The tourney run and Alvarez's accomplishments in the Japanese-based DREAM organization have given him solid footing in the world's top-10 lightweight rankings.

A win over Huerta could further improve his value, though his opponent has suffered through a rough stretch. Huerta, one of the sport's biggest stars and the first-ever MMA fighter featured on the cover of "Sports Illustrated," has lost three of his past four fights since opening his career with a stellar 20-1-1 mark. In addition to Curran, the losses came to notables Kenny Florian (unanimous decision) and Gray Maynard (close split decision) under the UFC banner. The lone victory in that span came over then-undefeated Chad Hinton in their Bellator tourney-opening bout.

Bellator 33 marks the organization's debut in the state of Pennsylvania. Tickets, which range from $25 to $150, went on sale today at www.ComcastTix.com.

October's Bellator 33 fight card has another big addition.

A week after the organization announced a headlining non-title fight between lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez and Roger Huerta, a five-round title fight has been added to the mix.

Welterweight champ and season-one tourney winner Lyman Good (10-0 MMA, 3-0 BFC) meets former NCAA Division I national wrestling champ and season-two tourney winner Ben Askren (6-0 MMA, 3-0 BFC).

Askren took to Twitter and today announced the fight, which takes place Oct. 21 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) since has confirmed with a source close to the event that bout agreements have been signed.

Both fights air as part of the night's FOX Spots Net-televised main card.

The title fight marks Good's first bout since his successful title run in 2009. Good, a one-time IFL fighter, submitted Hector Urbina and then knocked out Jorge Ortiz and Omar De La Cruz to win the organization's first 170-pound title and championship. However, the Bellator 33 title defense represents his first fight in 16 months.

Good now meets fellow unbeaten Askren, the famed University of Missouri wrestler who's quickly found success in MMA. After signing with Bellator earlier this year after a trio of wins in smaller organizations, Askren entered the season-two welterweight tournament and cruised with a submission win over Ryan Thomas and subsequent decision wins over Thomas (a replacement fighter) in the semis and Dan Hornbuckle in the tournament finale.

With the victory, Askren was guaranteed the title shot.

Bellator 33 marks the organization's debut in the state of Pennsylvania. Tickets, which range from $25 to $150, are now on sale at www.ComcastTix.com.

Link

[Mirage445]

I'm taking Huerta via Stomp 1st round.

But seriously, I think it will go to a Dec, not sure who will win.

Think this will be FOTN for sure and a FOTY Candidate.

[dudeabides]

Looking forward to it too, about time we get to see Alvarez in a big fight again. And if that fight wasn't enough, they are giving last season's WW winner Askren his title fight on the same card?

[kantowrestler]

Yeah, it will definately be a good card for sure. If Huerta wins I think he'll get a spot in the next tournament and a shot at Gilbert Melendez. I'm looking forward to Akren taking that title!

[_RIVAL_]

Originally Posted by kantowrestler

Yeah, it will definately be a good card for sure. If Huerta wins I think he'll get a spot in the next tournament and a shot at Gilbert Melendez. I'm looking forward to Akren taking that title!

I think Melendez should fight the winner. Coker can get Bellator to do it...

[kantowrestler]

That's what I said. Did I not make that clear?

[_RIVAL_]

Originally Posted by kantowrestler

That's what I said. Did I not make that clear?

No I didn't get that out of your post. I got that if Huerta wins he gets a shot at the tournament.

I said Melendez should fight whoever wins.

[vandalian]

Really like this fight. Roger's a handful for anyone, but Eddie's a beast at lightweight at I believe his wrestling will give him the edge here.
Alvarez by decision.

[kantowrestler]

I know Alveraz has the wrestling advantage but I don't think he has the better wrestling in this situation. Huerta has good enough takedown defense to where I think he can win. His stand up is good enough I think!

[limba]

I'm really looking to this fight.
Huerta is one of my favorite fighters. Tough dude, not the most techical fighter, but he has so much heart. I really like the fact that he doesn't run away from a fight, he goes where the fight goes. And i would say this i a reason he didn't reach the top of the UFC LW division. But, for the fans he is an excellent fighter to watch. ANd there is enough time for him to make it back to the UFC or fight Melendez or whatever. I don't even care that he's 1-3 in his last 4 fights. I think it should have been at least a draw against Curran, plus the split decision to Maynard , coming after a one year absence from the ring. I think Huerta has his chance in this fight for sure. The best thing for him to do is, to try and make it a brawl. That would cancel Alvarez's superior technique. And Huerta can take shots and punishement, i am sure of that.
I am also convinced the fight will eventually go to the ground. Alvarez has the advantage here also, his BJJ is superior, but again i have to point out Huerta's heart: he didn't tap on that sick Kimura attempt by Maynard, where i thought his shoulder would pop for sure. That was awesome.

Annyway, i can't wait.
And one more thing: Alvarez may have the advantage in the ring, but i think Huerta will have the crowd behind him, at least the women in the crowd will cheer for him, after the brawl incident.
If Alvarez beats Huerta, the women will be upset.