Bellator FCBellator MMA (Bellator) is the 2nd largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the USA and the largest tournament-based MMA organization in the world. Headquartered in Newport Beach, California, the company was formed in 2008 by Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. Bellator’s events are primarily structured around tournaments. The tournament winner is declared the number one contender in their respective weight class, and is awarded a check for $100,000 and a shot at the reigning Bellator champion. Bellator uses the motto “The Toughest Tournament In Sports” Bellator FC now airs on Spike TV Thursday nights!
It sounds like Bellator are preserving the final spot in their lightweight tourney for Alexander Sarnavskiy, who is being called the most coveted prospect since Edson Barboza. Tiger's contract w/ M1 expires at the end of the month, and he trains with Shlemenko and Koreshkov, the Bloody Elbow #1 WW prospect who Bellator also just signed.
Onto the MW tourney now, which should be their most improved for this season.
Their first tournament invitee is Brian Rogers. Rogers had their eventual champ, the aforementioned Alex Shlemenko, on the ropes, and he escaped in part with gamesmanship (pulling on the Predator's dreads as he kneed him). So I think Rogers was a smart pick by Sam Caplan.
Going back to my original pick of Falcao to win, I'd like to amend that. Carioca Santos didn't even lose a fight on any judge's card on the way to going 12-0. He's also faced all legit comp since his 2nd fight in MMA. Falcao faced a lot of cans, and suffered a couple slip-ups to the type of opponents Santos has been dominating, in addition to being swept by Maldanado in decisive fashion. The smart money in Bellator tourney betting is on the Brazilian noobs.
Cool, i've not heard that, would be awesome if he were in it, i thought he had 1 more fight on his contract, rather than 1 month though. Think he'd match up well with anyone in the lightweight draw, there's no elite wrestlers. Hawn may give him trouble, but he's been happy to stand and bang with guys.
Rogers is a fun fighter, he won't win it, but will put on a good fight against someone like Falcao.
I've not heard anything about Santos since they signed him a few months back, i hope he's still gonna be in it. And you heard any news about Vasilevsky? I've not heard anything since M1 came out and said he was still under contract with them, and Rebney said Bellator would look into it.
Hawn focused on attempting to exploit a weakness against Good. IMO he still lost the fight, but that was his strategy, so he might do the same against Tiger if Bellator can acquire him and Hawn views his wrestling as a weakness.
I think Rogers is at least a fringe contender. There are adjustments he can make from the Shlemenko fight like shave his head and don't foolishly play the 3 points equal a grounded fighter game. He's a good striker, wrestler, and has a sub victory.
Carioca has to be a virtual lock for the tourney. I haven't heard anything about the Vasilevsky issue being resolved since the lawsuit threat was made. I assumed he was in the fold because Bellator themselves posted an article about the signing, but my interpretation could have been incorrect.
Bruno Carioca Santos was named the 4th member of the season six middleweight tournament. He'll be squaring off against countryman Giva "the Arm Collector" Santana in the 1st round. This will be Arm Collector's first fight against a fellow Brazilian in his career (which has spanned 18 fights, during which he's gone 17-1). Santos has faced solely Brazilians during his career spanning 12 fights thru which he's remained unblemished.
Whered you hear that? Cant see it on any of my usual sites.
Victor O'donnel confirmed for the middleweight tournament. Bit of a dissapointing addition in my opinion.
Yeah, I cringed after I saw Victor O'Donnell's name. Selections like that are why I had prepared myself a little to be disappointed. He had nothing for B-Rog. I'm not saying can the guy as a result, it was only fight, but at least make him prove he's worthy for the tourney by forcing him to win a qualifier. Maybe they are filling an American quota. This was projected to be a very Brasilian/international field with Rogers and Cooper being the only Americans on my list.
In regards to where I learned about Carioca's invite, it was from this video:
Bellator season 6
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