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2010 in Bellator MMA
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| 2010 in Bellator MMA | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Information | |
| Promotion | Bellator MMA |
| First date aired | April 8, 2010 |
| Last date aired | October 28, 2010 |
2010 in Bellator MMA was the second installment of the Bellator Fighting Championships (Bellator FC)-produced series. It started on April 8, 2010, and ended on June 24, 2010. Tournaments were held in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions. The winner of each tournament will get a shot at the current Bellator Champion in his respective weight class. Three of the four current Bellator Champions also fought during this season in "Super Fights".[1] These non-tournament, non-title catch-weight fights were to help prepare the champions in defending their titles against the winners of this season's tournaments sometime in the third season.[1]
Bellator 13
[edit]| Bellator 13 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | April 8, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| City | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 13 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, April 8, 2010, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.[2][3]
Background
The card featured two quarter-final bouts of the Featherweight and Lightweight tournaments Bellator is holding in its second season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.[3]
Janne Tulirinta was originally set to fight Carey Vanier, however, Tulirinta was forced out of the bout because of visa issues. Joe Duarte was his replacement.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight | Roger Huerta | def. | Chad Hinton | Submission (kneebar) | 3 | 0:56 | [a] |
| Featherweight | Joe Warren | def. | Eric Marriott | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Lightweight | Carey Vanier | def. | Joe Duarte | TKO (punches) | 3 | 4:14 | [c] |
| Featherweight | Georgi Karakhanyan | def. | Bao Quach | KO (knee) | 1 | 4:05 | [d] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Welterweight | Vagner Rocha | def. | Francisco Soares | TKO (punches) | 2 | 2:07 | |
| Catchweight (172 lbs) | Edson Diniz | def. | John Kelly | Submission (kneebar) | 1 | 4:36 | |
| Catchweight (140 lbs) | Chris Manuel | def. | Ralph Acosta | Submission (guillotine choke) | 3 | 0:35 | |
| Catchweight (187 lb) | Mikey Gomez | def. | Moyses Gabin | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
Bellator 14
[edit]| Bellator 14 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | April 15, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Chicago Theatre | |||
| City | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 14 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, April 15, 2010, at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.[3][4]
Background
The card featured the quarter-final bouts in three of the four tournaments Bellator is holding in its second season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.[3]
Originally, Imada was set to fight Ferrid Kheder at Bellator 15 but an injury forced Kheder out of the bout. James Krause was tapped as Kheder's replacement and the bout was moved to this event.[5] To make room, a featherweight tournament bout between Patricio Freire and William Romero was moved to Bellator 15.[5]
A bout between Jonatas Novaes and Daniel Mason-Straus was canceled due to an undisclosed illness.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight | Toby Imada | def. | James Krause | Submission (armbar) | 2 | 2:44 | [a] |
| Welterweight | Ben Askren | def. | Ryan Thomas | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 2:40 | [b] |
| Featherweight | Wilson Reis | def. | Shad Lierley | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 3 | 3:33 | [c] |
| Lightweight | Pat Curran | def. | Mike Ricci | KO (punches) | 1 | 3:01 | [d] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Catchweight (141 lbs) | Bryan Goldsby | def. | Jeff Curran | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [e] |
| Women's bout | Felice Herrig | def. | Jessica Rakoczy | Decision (split) (29–28, 29–28, 28–29) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Louis Taylor | def. | Ryan Sturdy | KO (head kick) | 1 | 1:08 | |
Bellator 15
[edit]| Bellator 15 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | April 22, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Mohegan Sun Arena | |||
| City | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 15 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took take place on Thursday, April 22, 2010, in Uncasville, Connecticut.[6] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.[3]
Background
The card featured quarter-final bouts in the Welterweight and Featherweight tournaments Bellator is holding in its second season.
Dan Hornbuckle was originally set to fight Sean Pierson, but a back injury forced Pierson out of the bout. Tyler Stinson was his replacement.[7]
Jim Wallhead was forced out of his bout with Jacob McClintock due to air travel not being available in England. Ryan Thomas was Wallhead's replacement.[8]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Welterweight | Steve Carl | def. | Brett Cooper | Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Welterweight | Dan Hornbuckle | def. | Tyler Stinson | Submission (triangle choke) | 1 | 2:03 | [b] |
| Welterweight | Ryan Thomas | def. | Jacob McClintock | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:11 | [c] |
| Featherweight | Patricio Freire | def. | William Romero | Submission (heel hook) | 1 | 2:01 | [d] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Catchweight (190 lb) | David Branch | def. | Derrick Mehmen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 0:26 | |
| Welterweight | Ryan Quinn | def. | Matt Lee | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 28–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Dan Cramer | def. | Dennis Olson | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Rich De Los Reyes | def. | Brylan Van Artsdalen | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 2:03 | |
Bellator 16
[edit]| Bellator 16 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | April 29, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Kansas City Power & Light District | |||
| City | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |||
| Attendance | 2,000–2,500 [9] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 16 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, April 29, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri.[10] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
The card featured the quarter-final bouts of the Middleweight Tournament Bellator is holding in its second season.
Eric Schambari was originally set to fight Matt Major, but Major instead fought Alexander Shlemenko and Schambari fought Luke Zachrich.
Rudy Bears was first set to fight Zak Cummings, however due to undisclosed reasons, Cummings pulled out of the fight and was replaced by Brent Weedman.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Middleweight | Jared Hess | def. | Ryan McGivern | Submission (guillotine choke) | 2 | 1:54 | [a] |
| Middleweight | Bryan Baker | def. | Sean Loeffler | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:43 | [b] |
| Middleweight | Alexander Shlemenko | def. | Matt Major | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Middleweight | Eric Schambari | def. | Luke Zachrich | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 3:04 | [d] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Catchweight (173 lbs) | Brent Weedman | def. | Rudy Bears | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:19 | |
| Bantamweight | Danny Tims | def. | Brian Davidson | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [e] |
| Catchweight (161 lbs) | Eric Marriott | def. | Demi Deeds | Submission (triangle choke) | 2 | 3:02 | |
| Lightweight | Drew Dober | def. | Nick Nolte | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 4:45 | |
Bellator 17
[edit]| Bellator 17 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | May 6, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Citi Performing Arts Center: Wang Theatre | |||
| City | Boston, Massachusetts, United States | |||
| Attendance | 1,000 [9] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 17 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, May 6, 2010, at the Citi Performing Arts Center: Wang Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.[11] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Catchweight (160 lb) | Eddie Alvarez | def. | Josh Neer | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 2:08 | |
| Lightweight | Pat Curran | def. | Roger Huerta | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Lightweight | Toby Imada | def. | Carey Vanier | Submission (armbar) | 2 | 3:33 | [b] |
| Heavyweight | Cole Konrad | def. | Pat Bennett | Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 29–28, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Catchweight (187 lb) | Justin Torrey | def. | Lance Everson | TKO (strikes) | 2 | 3:55 | |
| Catchweight (188 lbs) | Greg Rebello | def. | John Doyle | Decision (unanimous) (29–27, 29–27, 29–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Josh LaBerge | def. | Dan Bonnell | TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:48 | |
| Catchweight (172 lb) | Chuck O'Neil | def. | Damian Vitale | TKO (cut) | 3 | 1:02 | |
- ^ Lightweight Semifinal Tournament Bout
- ^ Lightweight Semifinal Tournament Bout
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Heavyweight Tournament
Bellator 18
[edit]| Bellator 18 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | May 13, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Monroe Civic Center[12] | |||
| City | Monroe, Louisiana, United States[12] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 18 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, May 13, 2010, in Monroe, Louisiana.[12] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
This event featured two semi-final match ups from Bellator's season two tournament as well as four additional preliminary card fights featuring local fighters.[12]
Hector Lombard was scheduled to face former WEC Middleweight champion Paulo Filho in a non-title bout,[13] but Filho pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Jay Silva.[14] This marks the fourth bout Filho has pulled out of in two years.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Catchweight (195 lb) | Hector Lombard | def. | Jay Silva | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:06 | |
| Featherweight | Patricio Freire | def. | Wilson Reis | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Featherweight | Joe Warren | def. | Georgi Karakhanyan | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Light Heavyweight | Bill Albrecht | def. | Jason Anderson | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 0:36 | |
| Middleweight | Lamont Stafford | def. | Jules Bruchez | KO (punches) | 2 | 0:19 | |
| Heavyweight | Shawn Jordan | def. | Douglas Williams | TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:19 | |
| Catchweight (147 lbs) | Brock Kerry | def. | Mike Braswell | TKO (punches) | 1 | 3:20 | |
| Catchweight (179 lbs) | Charlie Rader | def. | Christian Fulgium | TKO (punches) | 1 | 3:27 | |
Bellator 19
[edit]| Bellator 19 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | May 20, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Verizon Theater | |||
| City | Grand Prairie, Texas, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 19 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie, Texas.[15] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Featherweight | Joe Soto | def. | Diego Saraiva | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Ben Askren | def. | Ryan Thomas | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Welterweight | Dan Hornbuckle | def. | Steve Carl | Submission (kimura) | 1 | 2:31 | [b] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Bantamweight | Johnny Bedford | def. | Jared Lopez | TKO (strikes) | 3 | 2:16 | |
| Heavyweight | Scott Barrett | def. | Ty Lee | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:25 | [c] |
| Welterweight | Joe Christopher | def. | Brandon McDowell | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 1:36 | |
| Featherweight | Chas Skelly | def. | Daniel Pineda | Submission (kneebar) | 2 | 2:16 | |
| Middleweight | Josh Smith | def. | Donyiell Winrow | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Doug Frey | def. | Aaron Wise | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 0:49 | |
- ^ Welterweight Semifinal Tournament Bout
- ^ Welterweight Semifinal Tournament Bout
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Heavyweight Tournament
Bellator 20
[edit]| Bellator 20 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | May 27, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Majestic Theatre | |||
| City | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |||
| Attendance | 1,000[16] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 20 was a mixed martial arts event by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, May 27, 2010, at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.[17] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
The bout between Eddie Sanchez and Wayne Cole was reported to be for a spot in Bellator's season three Heavyweight tournament. However, Cole pulled out of the fight and was replaced by Marcus Suers.[18]
Two of the match ups became catchweight bouts after Brian Melancon and Andrew Chappelle failed to make weight.[19]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Middleweight | Bryan Baker | def. | Eric Schambari | Submission (triangle choke) | 1 | 2:29 | [a] |
| Middleweight | Alexander Shlemenko | def. | Jared Hess | TKO (knee injury) | 3 | 2:20 | [b] |
| Heavyweight | Eddie Sanchez | def. | Marcus Sursa | TKO (punches) | 3 | 0:23 | [c] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Flyweight | Jimmy Flick | def. | Humberto DeLeon | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Nick Mamalis | def. | Mark Oshiro | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 1:29 | |
| Catchweight (175 lb) | Andrew Chappelle | def. | Cedric Marks | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 3:18 | |
| Lightweight | Fernando Rodriguez | def. | Kenneth Battle | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 1:28 | |
| Catchweight (161 lb) | Adam Schindler | def. | Brian Melancon | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Aaron Rosa | def. | Robert Villegas | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ Middleweight Semifinal Tournament Bout
- ^ Middleweight Semifinal Tournament Bout
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Heavyweight Tournament
Bellator 21
[edit]| Bellator 21 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | June 10, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| City | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 21 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, June 10, 2010, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.[20] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
The card featured the final tournament fight in the Lightweight division. The winner was crowned the Bellator season 2 Lightweight winner and would face the current Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez sometime during season 3.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight | Pat Curran | def. | Toby Imada | Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Women's (120 lb) | Megumi Fujii | def. | Sarah Schneider | TKO (punches) | 3 | 1:58 | [b] |
| Heavyweight | Mike Hayes | def. | Steven Banks | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Lightweight | Luis Palomino | def. | Jose Figueroa | Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Catchweight (137 lbs) | Zach Makovsky | def. | Eric Luke | Submission (kimura) | 2 | 4:28 | [d] |
| Catchweight bout (175 lb) | Frank Carrillo | def. | Sabah Homasi | TKO (elbows) | 3 | 3:16 | |
| Middleweight | Moyses Gabin | def. | Chris Boffil | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 4:41 | |
| Bantamweight | Brian Eckstein | def. | Mitchell Chamale | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ Lightweight Final Tournament bout
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Women's Tournament
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Heavyweight Tournament
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Bantamweight Tournament
Bellator 22
[edit]| Bellator 22 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | June 17, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Kansas City Power & Light District | |||
| City | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 22 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, June 17, 2010, at Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri.[21] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
The card featured the final tournament fight in the Welterweight division. The winner was crowned the Bellator season 2 Welterweight winner and would face the current Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good sometime during season three.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Welterweight | Ben Askren | def. | Dan Hornbuckle | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Catchweight (140 lbs) | Jose Vega | def. | Jarrod Card | KO (punch) | 1 | 0:39 | [b] |
| Women's 115-pound | Lisa Ward | def. | Stephanie Frausto | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:01 | [c] |
| Light Heavyweight | Raphael Davis | def. | Demetrius Richards | Submission (strikes) | 1 | 2:51 | |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Welterweight | Tyler Stinson | def. | Leonardo Pecanha | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 1:42 | |
| Catchweight (180 lbs) | Rudy Bears | def. | Brian Green | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 3:29 | |
| Bantamweight | Jared Downing | def. | Chad Vandenberg | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 3 | 1:35 | |
| Heavyweight | Cole Konrad | def. | John Orr | Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ Welterweight Final Tournament Bout
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Bantamweight Tournament
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Women's Tournament
Bellator 23
[edit]| Bellator 23 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | June 24, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Fourth Street Live! | |||
| City | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 23 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, June 24, 2010, at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, Kentucky.[22] The event was distributed live in primetime by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
The card featured the final tournament fight in the Featherweight and Middleweight divisions. The winners were crowned the Bellator Season 2 Featherweight and Middleweight winners and would face the current Bellator Featherweight and Middleweight Champions, Joe Soto and Hector Lombard, respectively, sometime during season 3.
Luke Zachrich was originally set to compete in a middleweight bout against Mike Fleniken. However, Zachrich was forced to pull out of the fight for an undisclosed reason. He was replaced by UFC veteran, Johnny Rees. However, Rees was then replaced by Stoney Hale.
Kurt Kinser agreed to catchweight contest after Dave Overfield weighed-in well-over the 155-pound lightweight limit.[23]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Featherweight | Joe Warren | def. | Patricio Freire | Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Middleweight | Alexander Shlemenko | def. | Bryan Baker | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:45 | [b] |
| Bantamweight | Nick Mamalis | def. | Albert Rios | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:40 | [c] |
| Women's (121 lb) | Zoila Frausto Gurgel | def. | Rosi Sexton | KO (knee and punches) | 1 | 2:00 | [d] |
| Local feature fights | |||||||
| Welterweight | Brent Weedman | def. | John Troyer | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 4:55 | |
| Lightweight | Daniel Mason-Straus | def. | Chad Hinton | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Catchweight (160 lb) | Kurt Kinser | def. | Dave Overfield | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:30 | |
| Middleweight | Stoney Hale | def. | Mike Fleniken | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 4:20 | |
- ^ Featherweight Final Tournament Bout
- ^ Middleweight Final Tournament Bout
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Bantamweight Tournament
- ^ For a spot in Bellator's Season Three Women's Tournament
Tournaments
[edit]Middleweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
| Alexander Shlemenko | UD | ||||||||||||
| Matt Major | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Alexander Shlemenko | TKO | ||||||||||||
|
| Jared Hess | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Jared Hess | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Ryan McGivern | 2 | ||||||||||||
|
| Alexander Shlemenko | TKO | ||||||||||||
|
| Bryan Baker | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Bryan Baker | TKO | ||||||||||||
|
| Sean Loeffler | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Bryan Baker | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Eric Schambari | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Eric Schambari | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Luke Zachrich | 1 | ||||||||||||
Welterweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
|
| Ben Askren | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Ryan Thomas | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Ben Askren | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Ryan Thomas | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Ryan Thomas[1] | TKO | ||||||||||||
|
| Jacob McClintock | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Ben Askren | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Dan Hornbuckle | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Dan Hornbuckle | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Tyler Stinson [2] | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Dan Hornbuckle | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Steve Carl | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Steve Carl | SD | ||||||||||||
|
| Brett Cooper | 3 | ||||||||||||
^ 1: Ryan Thomas replaced Jim Wallhead
^ 2: Tyler Stinson replaced Sean Pierson
Lightweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
|
| Pat Curran | KO | ||||||||||||
| Mike Ricci | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Pat Curran | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Roger Huerta | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Roger Huerta | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Chad Hinton | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Pat Curran | SD | ||||||||||||
|
| Toby Imada | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Toby Imada | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| James Krause[1] | 2 | ||||||||||||
|
| Toby Imada | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Carey Vanier | 2 | ||||||||||||
|
| Carey Vanier | TKO | ||||||||||||
| Joe Duarte [2] | 3 | ||||||||||||
^ 1: James Krause replaced Ferrid Kheder
^ 2: Joe Duarte replaced Janne Tulirinta
Featherweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
|
| Joe Warren | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Eric Marriott | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Joe Warren | UD | ||||||||||||
| Georgi Karakhanyan | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Georgi Karakhanyan | KO | ||||||||||||
|
| Bao Quach | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Joe Warren | SD | ||||||||||||
| Patricio Freire | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Patricio Freire | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| William Romero | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Patricio Freire | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Wilson Reis | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Wilson Reis | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Shad Lierley | 3 | ||||||||||||
Bellator 24
[edit]| Bellator 24 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | August 12, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| City | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 24 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, August 12, 2010, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.[24] The card began Bellator Season Three and featured the first round of the Bellator 115-pound women's tournament and an opening round fight in the Heavyweight tournament.
Background
Two bouts, Nico Parella vs. Efrain Ruiz and Frank Carrillo vs. Moyses Gabin, were scratched from the untelevised portion of this card. Parella pulled his groin and Gabin suffered a broken foot, which forced both off the card.[25]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Middleweight | Hector Lombard | def. | Herbert Goodman | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:38 |
|
| Heavyweight | Neil Grove | def. | Eddie Sanchez | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 1:32 | [a]
|
| Women's Strawweight | Megumi Fujii | def. | Carla Esparza | submission (armbar) | 2 | 0:57 | [b]
|
| Women's Strawweight | Jessica Aguilar | def. | Lynn Alvarez | submission (arm triangle choke) | 1 | 4:01 | [c]
|
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight | Yves Edwards | def. | Luis Palomino | unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 |
|
| Featherweight | Farkhad Sharipov | def. | Eric Luke | unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 |
|
| Bantamweight | Tulio Quintanilla | def. | Brian Eckstein | KO (punches) | 3 | 2:48 | |
Bellator 25
[edit]| Bellator 25 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | August 19, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Chicago Theatre | |||
| City | Chicago, Illinois, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 25 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. This event took place on August 19, 2010, at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.[26] The card featured tournament fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates. In Japan, the event was distributed with a short delay by Cavea.
Background
A lightweight bout featuring Mark Miller and Josh Shockley was set to happen at this event.[27] But the week before the event, the bout was scratched when Miller suffered a rib injury in training.[28]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Welterweight | Dan Hornbuckle | def. | Brad Blackburn | unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Heavyweight | Cole Konrad | def. | Rogent Lloret | unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Heavyweight | Damian Grabowski | def. | Scott Barrett | unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Women's Strawweight | Zoila Frausto Gurgel | def. | Jessica Penne | unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [d] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Catchweight (177 lbs) | Torrance Taylor | def. | Shonie Carter | unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Brian Gassaway | def. | Kevin Knabjian | unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Kenny Robertson | def. | John Kolosci | submission (americana) | 2 | 2:41 | |
| Lightweight | Eric Kriegermeier | def. | Keoki Cypriano | submission (triangle choke) | 1 | 3:16 | |
- ^ To earn a spot in Bellator's Season Four Welterweight Tournament.
- ^ Heavyweight Quarterfinal
- ^ Heavyweight Quarterfinal
- ^ Women's Strawweight Quarterfinal
Bellator 26
[edit]| Bellator 26 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | August 26, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Kansas City Power & Light District | |||
| City | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |||
| Attendance | 4,000[29] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 26 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, August 26, 2010, at Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri.[30] The card featured tournament fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
Rory Markham was scheduled to fight Steve Carl, however Markham was not medically cleared. Tyler Stinson took his place.[31]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Catchweight (175 lb) | Steve Carl | def. | Tyler Stinson | Technical submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 2:30 | [a] |
| Heavyweight | Alexey Oleinik | def. | Mike Hayes | Split decision (28–29, 29–28, 29–28). | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Bantamweight | Jose Vega | def. | Danny Tims | Unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Women's (115 lb) | Lisa Ward | def. | Aisling Daly | unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [d] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Middleweight | Zak Cummings | def. | Rudy Bears | Submission (D'arce choke) | 1 | 1:27 | |
| Featherweight | Kevin Croom | def. | Brian Davidson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 3:22 | |
| Middleweight | John Ott | def. | Brian Imes | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Jeb Chiles | def. | Demetrius Richards | Technical submission (kimura) | 2 | 3:51 | |
- ^ To earn a spot in Bellator's Season Four Welterweight Tournament.
- ^ Heavyweight quarterfinal.
- ^ Bantamweight quarterfinal.
- ^ Women's (115 lb) quarterfinal.
Bellator 27
[edit]| Bellator 27 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | September 2, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Majestic Theatre | |||
| City | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |||
| Attendance | 600[16] | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 27 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, September 2, 2010, at Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas.[32] The card featured tournament fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Featherweight | Joe Warren | def. | Joe Soto (c) | TKO (knee & punches) | 2 | 0:33 | [a] |
| Bantamweight | Ulysses Gomez | def. | Travis Reddinger | Split decision (28–29, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Bantamweight | Zach Makovsky | def. | Nick Mamalis | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Bantamweight | Ed West | def. | Bryan Goldsby | Unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [d] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Middleweight | Andrew Craig | def. | Rodrigo Pinheiro | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 3 | 2:53 | |
| Lightweight | Gilbert Jimenez | def. | Aaron Barringer | Unanimous decision. | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Heavyweight | Richard Odoms | def. | Dale Mitchell | Split decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Andrew Chappelle | def. | Joe Christopher | Unanimous decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Jon Kirk | def. | Shane Faulkner | TKO (punches) | 3 | 2:19 | |
| Featherweight | Steven Peterson | def. | Ernest De La Cruz | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
- ^ For the Bellator Featherweight Championship.
- ^ Bantamweight quarterfinal.
- ^ Bantamweight quarterfinal.
- ^ Bantamweight quarterfinal.
Bellator 28
[edit]| Bellator 28 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | September 9, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Mahalia Jackson Theater | |||
| City | New Orleans, Louisiana, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 28 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, September 9, 2010, at Mahalia Jackson Theater in New Orleans, Louisiana.[33] The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates. This was the first Bellator card with no Tournament Bouts.
Background
Chas Skelly was expected to fight Georgi Karakhanyan in a fourth season featherweight tournament qualifier bout. However, Skelly injured himself during training and was forced to pull out of the bout. Skelly's replacement was to be UFC veteran, Alvin Robinson.[34] However, Robinson was also forced to pull out of the bout due to injury. Robinson was replaced by WEC veteran Anthony Leone.[35]
Toney Canales and J.C. Pennington were set to fight, but for unknown reasons, the fight was pulled at the last minute.[33]
The card took place in the same city and during the same night and time as the 2010 NFL season opener, a rematch of the NFC Championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings, a decision in MMA to counter-program a marquee NFL event which may have had adverse effect on local ticket sales.[36]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight | Eric Larkin | def. | Marcus Andrusia | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 2:46 | |
| Lightweight | Guyana Carey Vanier | def. | Rich Clementi | Split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Middleweight | Eric Schambari | def. | Matt Horwich | Split decision (30–27, 28–29, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Georgi Karakhanyan | def. | Anthony Leone | Unanimous decision (29–28, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Heavyweight | Tony Roberts | def. | Kelvin Doss | Submission (punches) | 1 | 3:35 | |
| Bantamweight | Jonathan Mackles | def. | Brock Kerry | Split decision (30–27, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Charlie Rader | def. | Josh Rafferty | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:14 | |
| Lightweight | Scott O'Shaughnessy | def. | Gabe Woods | Submission (armbar) | 3 | 2:11 | |
Bellator 29
[edit]| Bellator 29 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | September 16, 2010 | |||
| Venue | The Rave | |||
| City | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 29 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, September 16, 2010, at The Rave in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[37] The card featured tournament fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
Bellator 29 was the first sanctioned MMA event in Wisconsin.
Chico Camus was set to compete against Jameel Massouh in a catchweight bout. However, Camus injured his sternum in a car accident and was forced to withdraw from the bout.[38] Kyle Dietz was set to be Camus' replacement; however, an illness forced Ulysses Gomez out of his bout in the bantamweight tournament and Bryan Goldsby, who was set to fight Nik Mamalis, stepped in for Gomez and returned to the tournament. Dietz was dropped from the card, and Mamalis stepped in to fight Massoush.
Justin Lemke was originally set to fight David Oliva, but Oliva was forced out of the bout due to weight issues.[39] Jason Guida stepped in for Oliva as his replacement.[40]
The Massouh/Mamalis bout was originally contracted as a 140 lb catchweight fight. Massouh initially weighed in two pounds over the limit, but successfully made weight two hours after the original weigh-in on a subsequent attempt. Jason Guida weighed in five pounds over the 210 lb catchweight limit in his bout against Justin Lemke.[41]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Catchweight (140 lb) | Jameel Massouh | def. | Nick Mamalis | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 4:27 | |
| Heavyweight | Cole Konrad | def. | Damian Grabowski | Unanimous decision (30–26, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Heavyweight | Neil Grove | def. | Alexey Oleinik | TKO (punches) | 1 | 0:45 | [b] |
| Middleweight | Brett Cooper | def. | Matt Major | TKO (punches) | 2 | 1:27 | |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Catchweight (215 lb) | Justin Lemke | def. | Jason Guida | Split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Lightweight | Sasa Perkic | def. | Nick Dupees | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30 -27, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Kyle Weickhardt | def. | Luis Ramirez | KO (head kick) | 1 | 0:30 | |
Bellator 30
[edit]| Bellator 30 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | September 23, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Fourth Street Live! | |||
| City | Louisville, Kentucky, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 30 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, Kentucky.[42] The card featured tournament fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background Bryan Goldsby replaced Ulysses Gomez in the bantamweight tournament after Gomez was forced to withdraw due to staph infection.[43]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Welterweight | Brent Weedman | def. | Jacob McClintock | TKO (punches) | 1 | 3:05 | [a] |
| Middleweight | Bryan Baker | def. | Jeremy Horn | Unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Zach Makovsky | def. | Bryan Goldsby | Unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Bantamweight | Ed West | def. | Jose Vega | Split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28). | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Middleweight | John Troyer | def. | Josh Clark | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Heavyweight | Ron Sparks | def. | Greg Maynard | KO (punch) | 1 | 0:50 | |
| Featherweight | B.J. Ferguson | def. | T.J. Barber | Submission (armbar) | 2 | 2:50 | |
| Middleweight | Jeremiah Riggs | def. | Mike Fleniken | Unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28). | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Mike O'Donnell | def. | Stoney Hale | Submission (kimura) | 2 | 0:50 | |
Bellator 31
[edit]| Bellator 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | September 30, 2010 | |||
| Venue | L'Auberge du Lac Resort | |||
| City | Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 31 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, September 30, 2010, at L'Auberge du Lac Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[44] The card featured tournament fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
A previously announced fight between Ricco Rodriguez and Dave Herman,[45] was scrapped from this card due to Rodriguez suffering a knee injury.[46] Michal Kita served as Rodriguez's replacement.[47]
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Women's (115 lb) | Zoila Frausto Gurgel | def. | Jessica Aguilar | Split decision (30–27, 27–30, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Women's (115 lb) | Megumi Fujii | def. | Lisa Ward | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 1:39 | [b] |
| Welterweight | Chris Lozano | def. | Yoshiyuki Yoshida | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Heavyweight | Mark Holata | def. | Shawn Jordan | KO (punch) | 1 | 1:13 | |
| Lightweight | John Harris | def. | Kyle Miers | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 2 | 0:49 | |
| Middleweight | Tim Ruberg | def. | Aaron Davis | Submission (Rear Naked Choke) | 2 | 1:44 | |
| Heavyweight | Dave Herman | def. | Michał Kita | Submission (Omoplata) | 1 | 3:16 | |
| Catchweight (165 lb) | Michael Chandler | def. | Scott Stapp | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 1:57 | |
Bellator 32
[edit]| Bellator 32 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | October 14, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Kansas City Power & Light District | |||
| City | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 32 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, October 14, 2010, at Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri.[48] The card featured the tournament finals fights in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
This was the fourth Bellator event to be held at the Kansas City Power & Light District, all in 2010. Bellator XVI, Bellator XXII and Bellator XXVI have also been held at this venue.
The event hosted bouts to crown the first Bellator Heavyweight and Bantamweight Champions.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Heavyweight | Cole Konrad | def. | Neil Grove | Submission (americana) | 1 | 4:45 | [a] |
| Bantamweight | Zach Makovsky | def. | Ed West | Unanimous decision (50–45, 50–45, 49–46) | 3 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Welterweight | Jim Wallhead | def. | Ryan Thomas | Unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | [c] |
| Welterweight | Michael Chandler | def. | Chris Page | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 0:57 | |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Featherweight | Eric Marriott | def. | Ryan Roberts | Unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Catchweight (180 lbs) | Rudy Bears | def. | Chad Reiner | KO (Punches) | 1 | 1:29 of round 1. | |
| Bantamweight | Jared Downing | def. | Danny Tims | Split decision (30–27, 28–29, 30–27). | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Brian Davidson | def. | Shane Hutchison | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:54 | |
- ^ Tournament final for the inaugural Bellator Heavyweight Championship.
- ^ Tournament final for the inaugural Bellator Bantamweight Championship.
- ^ To earn a spot in Bellator's Season Four Welterweight Tournament.
Bellator 33
[edit]| Bellator 33 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | October 21, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Liacouras Center | |||
| City | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 33 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, October 21, 2010, at Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[49] The card featured a tournament final fight in Bellator's third season. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Background
The main event was supposed to feature Eddie Alvarez defending his lightweight title against season two's lightweight tournament winner, Pat Curran. Curran injured himself during training so Alvarez instead fought Roger Huerta in a non-title fight.
Wilson Reis vs. Deividas Taurosevičius was set to air as a part of the night's main card; however, the fight was not aired for unknown reasons.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Lightweight | Eddie Alvarez | def. | Roger Huerta | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 2 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Ben Askren | def. | Lyman Good (c) | Unanimous decision (49–46, 48–47, 50–45) | 5 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Welterweight | Rick Hawn | def. | LeVon Maynard | KO (punches) | 1 | 4:53 | [b] |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Featherweight | Wilson Reis | def. | Deividas Taurosevičius | Split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Tim Carpenter | def. | Jamal Patterson | Split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Catchweight (159 lbs) | Luiz Azeredo | def. | Edward Guedes | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Kenny Foster | def. | Lester Caslow | Unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Catchweight (130 lb) | Nick Cottone | def. | Tuan Pham | Unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Francis Evans | def. | Lewis Cassner | Submission (Triangle) | 1 | 3:20 | |
- ^ For the Bellator Welterweight Championship.
- ^ To earn a spot in Bellator's Season Four Welterweight Tournament.
Bellator 34
[edit]| Bellator 34 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Promotion | Bellator Fighting Championships | |||
| Date | October 28, 2010 | |||
| Venue | Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino | |||
| City | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Bellator 34 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator Fighting Championships. The event took place on Thursday, October 28, 2010, at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.[50] The card featured the final round of the Bellator 115-pound women's tournament in Bellator's third season,[51] as well as Hector Lombard defending his middleweight title. The event was distributed live in prime time by FOX Sports Net and its regional sports network affiliates.
Results
| Main card | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Middleweight | Hector Lombard (c) | def. | Alexander Shlemenko | Unanimous decision (49–46, 49–46, 49–46) | 5 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Women's (115 lb) | Zoila Frausto Gurgel | def. | Megumi Fujii | Split decision (48–47, 47–48, 49–46) | 5 | 5:00 | [b] |
| Middleweight | Mike Bernhard | def. | Dragan Tešanović | Unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 29–28). | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Rafael Davis | def. | Tony Lopez | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Local Feature Fights | |||||||
| Welterweight | John Kelly | def. | William Kuhn | unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–28). | |||
| Bantamweight | Ralph Acosta | def. | Tulio Quintanila | Split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Frank Carrillo | def. | Moyses Gabin | Unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Middleweight | Dan Cramer | def. | Igor Almeida | TKO (cut) | 1 | 2:36 | |
| Catchweight (160 lb) | J.P. Reese | def. | Bounmy Somchay | TKO (strikes) | 1 | 3:32 | |
- ^ For the Bellator Middleweight Championship.
- ^ Tournament final for the inaugural Bellator Women's (115 lbs) Championship.
Tournaments
[edit]Heavyweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
|
| Cole Konrad | UD | ||||||||||||
| Rogent Lloret | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Cole Konrad | UD | ||||||||||||
| Damian Grabowski | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Damian Grabowski | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Scott Barrett | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Cole Konrad | SUB | ||||||||||||
| Neil Grove | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Neil Grove | TKO | ||||||||||||
|
| Eddie Sanchez | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Neil Grove | TKO | ||||||||||||
|
| Alexey Oleinik | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Alexey Oleinik | SD | ||||||||||||
|
| Mike Hayes | 3 | ||||||||||||
Bantamweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
|
| Zach Makovsky | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Nick Mamalis | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Zach Makovsky | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Bryan Goldsby[1] | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Ulysses Gomez | SD | ||||||||||||
|
| Travis Reddinger | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Zach Makovsky | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Ed West | 5 | ||||||||||||
|
| Ed West | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Bryan Goldsby | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Ed West | SD | ||||||||||||
|
| Jose Vega | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Jose Vega | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Danny Tims | 3 | ||||||||||||
^ 1: Bryan Goldsby replaced Ulysses Gomez after Gomez was forced to withdraw due to staph infection.[52]
Women's Strawweight Tournament bracket
[edit]| Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Finals | ||||||||||||
|
| Zoila Frausto Gurgel | UD | ||||||||||||
|
| Jessica Penne | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Zoila Frausto Gurgel | SD | ||||||||||||
| Jessica Aguilar | 3 | ||||||||||||
|
| Jessica Aguilar | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Lynn Alvarez | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Zoila Frausto Gurgel | SD | ||||||||||||
| Megumi Fujii | 5 | ||||||||||||
|
| Megumi Fujii | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Carla Esparza[1] | 2 | ||||||||||||
|
| Megumi Fujii | SUB | ||||||||||||
|
| Lisa Ward | 1 | ||||||||||||
|
| Lisa Ward | UD | ||||||||||||
| Aisling Daly | 3 | ||||||||||||
^ 1: Carla Esparza replaced Angela Magana after Magana was forced to withdraw due to a foot injury.[53]
References
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External links
[edit]2010 in Bellator MMA
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
2010 in Bellator MMA encompassed the promotion's second and third seasons. Season 2 aired on FOX Sports Net from April 8 to June 24 and featured eight-man single-elimination tournaments in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, and middleweight divisions, crowning tournament winners who earned title opportunities.[1]
The season's opening event, Bellator 13, took place on April 8 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, where notable advancements included victories by Joe Warren in the featherweight bracket and Roger Huerta in the lightweight tournament.[2] The featherweight and middleweight tournament finals occurred at Bellator 23 on June 24 at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, Kentucky, with Joe Warren defeating Patricio "Pitbull" Freire via split decision and Alexander Shlemenko defeating Bryan Baker via TKO (punches) in round 1.[3] The lightweight final took place at Bellator 21 on June 10 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, where Pat Curran defeated Toby Imada via split decision.[4] Ben Askren won the welterweight tournament by unanimous decision over Dan Hornbuckle at Bellator 22 on June 17 at the Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri.[5]
Season 3, also broadcast on FOX Sports Net, launched on August 12 with Bellator 24 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, followed by Bellator 25 on August 19 at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. It introduced eight-man single-elimination tournaments in the bantamweight, heavyweight, and inaugural women's strawweight (115 lb) divisions, alongside non-tournament bouts. The season progressed through events like Bellator 30 on September 23 at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, Kentucky, and culminated in finals by late October, with Zach Makovsky defeating Ed West by unanimous decision at Bellator 32 on October 14 in Kansas City, Missouri, to win the bantamweight tournament; Cole Konrad submitting Rogent Lloret at Bellator 34 on October 28 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, for the heavyweight title; and Zoila Frausto upsetting Megumi Fujii via split decision (48-47 Frausto, 47-48 Fujii, 49-46 Frausto) at the same event to claim the women's strawweight tournament victory.[7][8][9]
Throughout the year, Bellator hosted 22 events, emphasizing its tournament format to identify top contenders, while also featuring high-profile non-tournament matchups such as Hector Lombard's unanimous decision win over Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator 34 to retain the middleweight championship.[10] The seasons showcased emerging talents and established the promotion as a key alternative to the UFC in the American MMA landscape.
This event underscored the competitive depth of Season 2's tournament format, with Warren and Shlemenko emerging as standout champions.[62]
Preliminary bouts rounded out the evening, including Tony Roberts submitting Calvin Doss via punches at 3:35 of the first round in a heavyweight clash, and Jonathan Mackles defeating Brock Kerry by split decision in bantamweight action, contributing to the event's depth.[100] Overall, Bellator 28 underscored the promotion's emphasis on regional talent development in Season 3.[103]
The event highlighted Bellator's push into women's divisions, with Fujii's dominant performance underscoring her status as a top global prospect at the time.[113] No attendance or gate figures were publicly reported for the casino-hosted card.[108]
This table summarizes the main and preliminary card results, emphasizing the tournament finals' prominence.[114]
In the semifinals at Bellator 29 on September 16, 2010, Konrad advanced with a dominant wrestling performance against Grabowski, controlling the fight on the ground en route to a lopsided unanimous decision victory (30-26, 30-27, 30-27). Grove, meanwhile, secured his finals berth with a quick TKO over Oleinik via punches at 0:45 of the first round, underscoring the tournament's knockout-heavy nature.[133]
The tournament culminated at Bellator 32 on October 14, 2010, where undefeated wrestler Cole Konrad submitted Neil Grove via keylock at 4:45 of the first round to claim the vacant Bellator Heavyweight Championship, marking the first title in the division's history and affirming the tournament format's role in crowning champions through bracket progression. Konrad's victory extended his perfect record to 7-0, while Grove fell to 10-3-1.[7][116]
Vega advanced with a dominant striking performance against Tims, controlling the pace after early exchanges. Gomez edged Reddinger in a closely contested grappling-heavy fight, securing the split decision through effective takedown defense.[136] Makovsky outgrappled Mamalis for a clear victory, showcasing superior wrestling control.[98] West overcame Goldsby via volume striking and clinch work, earning the nod on all scorecards.[134]
Makovsky dominated Goldsby with relentless takedowns and ground control, neutralizing his opponent's aggressive style.[107] West and Vega engaged in a high-output striking battle, with West pulling ahead via late-round pressure to advance narrowly.[106]
Overview
Season Format and Broadcasting
Bellator MMA's 2010 seasons employed a distinctive tournament format centered on 8-man single-elimination brackets within specific weight divisions, where quarterfinal bouts typically occurred early in the season, followed by semifinals and finals in later weeks across a series of weekly events. This structure allowed fighters to compete multiple times over the season, with brackets re-seeded after the quarterfinals to accommodate injuries or other adjustments, ensuring competitive integrity while determining top contenders.[11][12] For Season 2, which ran from April 8 to June 24, the promotion focused on four core divisions: featherweight (145 pounds), lightweight (155 pounds), welterweight (170 pounds), and middleweight (185 pounds), mirroring the structure of Season 1 but with enhanced visibility through new broadcasting partnerships. Season 3, starting August 12 and concluding October 28, expanded the tournament offerings to include bantamweight (135 pounds), heavyweight (265 pounds), and a pioneering women's strawweight (115 pounds) division, marking Bellator's first foray into female competitions and broader weight class diversity.[12][13][14] Broadcasting for both seasons featured live prime-time airing on Thursday nights via Fox Sports Net, reaching a national audience through its regional affiliates, supplemented by highlight replays on NBC late Saturday nights and Telemundo Sunday mornings to broaden accessibility, including to Spanish-speaking viewers. This arrangement supported a total of 24 episodes across the year, with the shift from Season 1's ESPN Deportes platform to this multi-network deal significantly boosting exposure and production quality.[15][16][17] Winners of each tournament bracket earned a $100,000 prize, along with positioning as the number one contender for a title shot against the existing division champion, incentivizing high-stakes performances throughout the season.[18]Key Tournaments and Divisions
In 2010, Bellator MMA's Season 2 expanded its tournament format to include four weight divisions: featherweight at 145 pounds, lightweight at 155 pounds, welterweight at 170 pounds, and middleweight at 185 pounds.[19][20] This marked a growth from Season 1's three divisions (featherweight, lightweight, and middleweight), reflecting the promotion's aim to build depth across more competitive classes.[21] Each tournament followed an eight-man single-elimination bracket, with winners earning a shot at the respective Bellator title.[22] Season 3, beginning in August 2010, introduced three new divisions to further diversify the roster: bantamweight at 135 pounds, heavyweight up to 265 pounds, and women's strawweight at 115 pounds.[23] The inclusion of the women's strawweight tournament represented Bellator's first foray into women's MMA, establishing it as a pioneer for gender diversity among major U.S. promotions at the time.[24] These tournaments adhered to unified MMA rules, featuring three five-minute rounds for non-title bouts and emphasizing fighter health through monitored weigh-ins to minimize extreme weight cutting and promote fairness in the bracket format.[25][26] The 2010 tournaments had a significant impact on Bellator's development, providing four fighters with title opportunities via Season 2 outcomes—several of whom won their bouts during Season 3 events later that year—and crowning three inaugural titleholders in the expanded divisions of Season 3.[13][23] This structure not only elevated emerging talents but also bolstered the promotion's roster, setting the stage for sustained growth in multiple weight classes.[23]Season 2 Events
Bellator 13
Bellator 13 took place on April 8, 2010, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, marking the debut event of Bellator MMA's Season 2 tournament format. The card featured eight bouts, with four serving as quarterfinal matchups in the promotion's featherweight and lightweight grand prix tournaments, broadcast live on Fox Sports Net. These opening-round fights set the stage for the season's competitive arc across multiple weight classes. The main card highlighted the tournament action. In the featherweight quarterfinal main event, Joe Warren outwrestled Eric Marriott over three rounds to secure a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), advancing to the semifinals with his dominant grappling and control. Earlier, fellow featherweight quarterfinalist Georgi Karakhanyan ended Bao Quach's night abruptly with a knee knockout at 4:05 of the first round, showcasing his striking power to move forward in the bracket. In the lightweight division, Roger Huerta overcame Chad Hinton via submission (kneebar) at 0:56 of the third round, using his submission skills to notch the win after a competitive back-and-forth. Completing the tournament bouts, Carey Vanier impressed with a third-round TKO (punches) over Joe Duarte at 4:14, earning his semifinal spot through persistent pressure and ground-and-pound. The preliminary card consisted of non-tournament bouts that added depth to the evening. Vagner Rocha claimed a second-round TKO (punches) against Francisco Soares at 2:07 in a welterweight showcase, while Edson Diniz submitted John Kelly with a heel hook in the first round at 4:36. Mikey Gomez edged out Moyses Gabin by unanimous decision (29-28 across the board) in a catchweight fight, and Chris Manuel finished Ralph Acosta with a guillotine choke at 0:35 of the third round. These undercard results provided emerging talent exposure without impacting the ongoing tournaments. The outcomes propelled Warren and Karakhanyan into the featherweight semifinals, while Huerta and Vanier advanced in the lightweight draw, establishing early momentum in Season 2's eight-man brackets for each division.Bellator 14
Bellator 14 took place on April 15, 2010, at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, marking the second event in Bellator Fighting Championships' Season 2 tournament series.[27] This Midwestern venue shift from the previous event's Southern location highlighted Bellator's effort to expand its regional footprint while continuing the quarterfinal stage across multiple divisions, as outlined in the season's eight-man tournament format spanning four initial events. The card featured four quarterfinal bouts from the lightweight, welterweight, and featherweight tournaments, alongside preliminary fights showcasing emerging talent. The main card opened with lightweight quarterfinalist Pat Curran defeating Mike Ricci via knockout (punch) at 3:01 of the first round, advancing Curran with his striking power on display.[28] In the featherweight quarterfinal, Wilson Reis submitted Shad Lierley with a rear-naked choke at 3:33 of the third round, securing his spot through persistent grappling control.[29] The co-main event saw welterweight contender Ben Askren advance past Ryan Thomas by technical submission (guillotine choke) at 2:40 of the first round, after Thomas lost consciousness, underscoring Askren's wrestling dominance in the tournament. The main event lightweight quarterfinal ended with Toby Imada submitting James Krause via armbar at 2:44 of the second round, with Krause stepping in as a late replacement due to opponent visa issues.[30] Preliminary bouts included local showcases, such as middleweight Louis Taylor knocking out Ryan Sturdy with a head kick at 1:08 of the first round, highlighting regional talent.[28] In a catchweight (141 lbs) fight, Bryan Goldsby earned a unanimous decision (29-28 x3) over Jeff Curran, while women's strawweight Felice Herrig won a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) against Jessica Rakoczy, adding diversity to the undercard.[31] These results propelled Curran, Imada, Askren, and Reis into the Season 2 semifinals, setting up high-stakes matchups in their respective divisions and contributing to the tournament's competitive depth.[32] The event aired on Fox Sports Net, drawing attention to Bellator's growing broadcast presence.[27]Bellator 15
Bellator 15 took place on April 22, 2010, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, serving as the third quarterfinal event in Bellator MMA's Season 2 tournament series.[33] The event featured bouts primarily from the welterweight (170 lb) tournament bracket, along with one featherweight (145 lb) quarterfinal, contributing to the progression of the season's eight-man single-elimination formats across multiple divisions. Broadcast on Fox Sports Net, it drew an East Coast audience and emphasized the promotion's growing emphasis on competitive matchmaking.[34] The main card highlighted international representation, particularly through Brazilian fighter Patricio "Pitbull" Freire's dominant submission victory over American William Romero in the featherweight quarterfinal, showcasing the inverted heel hook at 2:01 of the first round. In the welterweight division, Dan Hornbuckle advanced with a first-round triangle choke submission against Tyler Stinson at 2:03, while Ryan Thomas secured a knockout via punches over Jacob McClintock at 4:11 of the opening round. The co-main event saw Steve Carl edge out Brett Cooper by split decision after three rounds, completing the night's welterweight advancements and setting up semifinal matchups later in the season. These outcomes underscored the tournament's intensity, with quick finishes dominating the card and propelling skilled grapplers forward.[33][34] Preliminary bouts included non-tournament action, such as David Branch's rear-naked choke submission of Derrick Mehmen at 5:26 of the second round in a middleweight contest, and Dan Cramer's unanimous decision win over Dennis Olson. Ryan Quinn also defeated Matt Lee by unanimous decision in a welterweight prelim. The event's results solidified the welterweight bracket's quarterfinal field and advanced Freire in the featherweight tournament, aligning with Bellator's structure of regional events building toward unified finals. No major injuries or controversies were reported, maintaining focus on the competitive outcomes.[33]| Fight | Weight Class | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Card - Featherweight Quarterfinal | 145 lb | Patricio Freire | William Romero | Submission (Inverted Heel Hook) | 1 | 2:01 |
| Welterweight Quarterfinal | 170 lb | Steve Carl | Brett Cooper | Decision (Split) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Welterweight Quarterfinal | 170 lb | Dan Hornbuckle | Tyler Stinson | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 1 | 2:03 |
| Welterweight Quarterfinal | 170 lb | Ryan Thomas | Jacob McClintock | TKO (Punches) | 1 | 4:11 |
| Preliminary - Middleweight | 185 lb | Dan Cramer | Dennis Olson | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Preliminary - Welterweight | 170 lb | Ryan Quinn | Matt Lee | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Preliminary - Catchweight (190 lb) | 190 lb | David Branch | Derrick Mehmen | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 5:26 |
| Preliminary - Featherweight | 145 lb | Richard de los Reyes | Brylan Van Artsdalen | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 7:03 |
Bellator 16
Bellator 16 took place on April 29, 2010, at the Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri, marking the final quarterfinal event of Bellator Fighting Championships' Season 2.[35] This installment completed the eight-fighter middleweight tournament bracket by featuring all four quarterfinal bouts, alongside preliminary non-tournament fights in lighter weight classes.[36] The event aired live on Fox Sports Net, drawing attention for showcasing promising middleweight talents advancing toward the $100,000 grand prize.[37] The main card highlighted the middleweight quarterfinals, where each winner secured a spot in the upcoming semifinals. Bryan Baker opened the tournament action with a dominant performance, stopping Sean Loeffler via TKO (punches) at 2:43 of the first round.[38] Alexander Shlemenko followed with a controlled unanimous decision victory over Matt Major (30-27 on all cards) after three rounds, relying on superior striking and grappling control.[35] Eric Schambari submitted Luke Zachrich with an arm-triangle choke at 3:34 of the first round, capitalizing on a ground scramble.[39] In the night's co-main event, Jared Hess advanced by forcing Ryan McGivern to tap to a guillotine choke at 1:54 of the second round.[40] These results finalized the Season 2 middleweight quarterfinal field, joining the previously completed featherweight and lightweight brackets to establish the full slate of tournament participants for the semifinals.[36] The event underscored Bellator's tournament format emphasis on decisive finishes, with three of the four quarterfinals ending via submission or TKO.[37]Main Card Results
| Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight Quarterfinal | Jared Hess | Ryan McGivern | Submission (guillotine choke) | 2 | 1:54 |
| Middleweight Quarterfinal | Eric Schambari | Luke Zachrich | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 3:34 |
| Middleweight Quarterfinal | Alexander Shlemenko | Matt Major | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Middleweight Quarterfinal | Bryan Baker | Sean Loeffler | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:43 |
Bellator 17
Bellator 17 marked the opening semifinal stage of Bellator Fighting Championships Season 2, taking place on May 6, 2010, at the Citi Performing Arts Center's Wang Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts.[41] The event drew an attendance of approximately 1,300 spectators and was broadcast on Fox Sports Net.[41] It featured two crucial lightweight tournament semifinals, pitting quarterfinal winners from prior events—such as Pat Curran (who defeated Mike Ricci at Bellator 14) against Roger Huerta (who beat Chad Hinton at Bellator 13), and Toby Imada (who submitted James Krause at Bellator 14) against Carey Vanier (who defeated Joe Duarte at Bellator 13).[42][41] The main card highlighted the lightweight division's progression toward crowning a tournament champion eligible for a title shot against Eddie Alvarez, the reigning lightweight titleholder. In the featured lightweight semifinal, Pat Curran earned a unanimous decision victory over Roger Huerta (29-28 on all cards) after three rounds of striking exchanges and grappling attempts, securing his spot in the finals with effective takedown defense and volume striking.[41][42] In the co-main lightweight semifinal, Toby Imada advanced by submitting Carey Vanier via armbar at 3:33 of the second round, capitalizing on a scramble to lock in the hold after Vanier attempted a takedown.[41][43] The event's headline bout was a non-title lightweight "superfight" between champion Eddie Alvarez and Josh Neer, where Alvarez dominated with superior wrestling before securing a rear-naked choke submission at 2:08 of the second round.[41][44] A heavyweight showcase bout saw undefeated wrestler Cole Konrad outwrestle Pat Bennett to a unanimous decision (30-27 across the board), positioning Konrad as a prospect for future tournaments.[41][43] These semifinal outcomes advanced Pat Curran and Toby Imada to the Season 2 lightweight tournament final at Bellator 21, where Curran ultimately prevailed to win the bracket and earn a title opportunity.[42] The undercard included preliminary wins such as Justin Torrey's second-round TKO of Lance Everson via punches, Josh LaBerge's first-round knockout of Dan Bonnell, Chuck O'Neil's third-round doctor-stoppage TKO of Damian Vitale due to cuts, and Greg Rebello's unanimous decision over John Doyle.[41]| Bout | Weight Class | Result | Method/Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Neer | Lightweight | Alvarez def. Neer | Submission (rear-naked choke), R2, 2:08 |
| Pat Curran vs. Roger Huerta | Lightweight (tournament semi) | Curran def. Huerta | Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), R3, 5:00 |
| Toby Imada vs. Carey Vanier | Lightweight (tournament semi) | Imada def. Vanier | Submission (armbar), R2, 3:33 |
| Cole Konrad vs. Pat Bennett | Heavyweight | Konrad def. Bennett | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), R3, 5:00 |
Bellator 18
Bellator 18 took place on May 13, 2010, at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana, serving as the second semifinal event in Bellator's Season 2 tournament format, which featured single-night elimination bouts across multiple weight classes to determine division finalists.[45] The event aired on Fox Sports Net and highlighted key matchups in the featherweight and middleweight tournaments, maintaining the promotion's momentum with high-stakes progression fights.[46] The main card consisted of three tournament semifinal bouts. In a non-tournament middleweight bout, Hector Lombard delivered one of the night's most dominant performances, knocking out Jay Silva with punches just six seconds into the first round.[47] The featherweight tournament saw two intense semifinals: Patricio "Pitbull" Freire outpointed Wilson Reis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over three rounds, securing his spot in the final with superior striking and grappling control.[48] In the co-main event, Joe Warren defeated Georgi Karakhanyan by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), relying on his Olympic-level wrestling to neutralize takedown attempts and dominate on the ground, thus booking a featherweight final against Freire.[47] These results propelled Freire and Warren closer to Season 2 title opportunities, underscoring the tournament's emphasis on rapid eliminations and standout individual efforts in Bellator's competitive landscape.[45]Bellator 19
Bellator 19 took place on May 20, 2010, at the Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas, serving as the third semifinal event in Bellator MMA's Season 2 welterweight tournament.[49] The card featured two welterweight tournament semifinals alongside a non-title featherweight bout and several preliminary fights, drawing a crowd to witness key advancements toward the season's conclusion. In the main event, featherweight contender Joe Soto defeated Diego Saraiva by TKO (doctor stoppage due to a cut) at 5:00 of the first round, maintaining Soto's undefeated streak in a non-tournament showcase fight.[50] The bout highlighted Soto's striking prowess, as a vicious elbow opened a significant laceration on Saraiva's forehead, prompting the stoppage after a full round of ground control. The welterweight semifinals produced decisive outcomes that shaped the tournament bracket. Ben Askren advanced with a unanimous decision victory over Ryan Thomas (30-27 on all cards) after three rounds, relying on his dominant wrestling to control the fight and outpoint Thomas in grappling exchanges.[50] In the co-main event, Dan Hornbuckle submitted Steve Carl via kimura at 2:31 of the first round, securing his spot in the final with a quick arm lock from the bottom position.[50] These wins set up a highly anticipated welterweight final between Askren and Hornbuckle in the following event. The undercard featured a mix of finishes and decisions across various weight classes, contributing to the event's high finish rate. Notable results included Johnny Bedford's TKO (knees and punches) win over Jared Lopez at 2:16 of the third round in a bantamweight bout, and Chas Skelly's submission (kneebar) victory against Daniel Pineda at 2:16 of the second round in featherweight action.[49] Other prelim outcomes were Joe Christopher def. Brandon McDowell by submission (guillotine choke) at 1:36 of the first round (welterweight), Scott Barrett def. Ty Lee by TKO (punches) at 2:25 of the first round (heavyweight), Douglas Frey def. Aaron Wise by submission (guillotine choke) at 0:49 of the first round (bantamweight), and Joshua Smith def. Donyiell Winrow by unanimous decision (30-27 on all cards) in a middleweight matchup.[49][51]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Soto vs. Diego Saraiva | Featherweight | Soto def. Saraiva | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 5:00 |
| Dan Hornbuckle vs. Steve Carl | Welterweight (semifinal) | Hornbuckle def. Carl | Submission (kimura) | 1 | 2:31 |
| Ben Askren vs. Ryan Thomas | Welterweight (semifinal) | Askren def. Thomas | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Johnny Bedford vs. Jared Lopez | Bantamweight | Bedford def. Lopez | TKO (knees and punches) | 3 | 2:16 |
| Joe Christopher vs. Brandon McDowell | Welterweight | Christopher def. McDowell | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 1:36 |
| Chas Skelly vs. Daniel Pineda | Featherweight | Skelly def. Pineda | Submission (kneebar) | 2 | 2:16 |
| Scott Barrett vs. Ty Lee | Heavyweight | Barrett def. Lee | TKO (punches) | 1 | 2:25 |
| Douglas Frey vs. Aaron Wise | Bantamweight | Frey def. Wise | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 | 0:49 |
| Joshua Smith vs. Donyiell Winrow | Middleweight | Smith def. Winrow | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
Bellator 20
Bellator 20 took place on May 27, 2010, at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas, serving as the final semifinal event in Season 2 of the promotion's tournament format.[52] The card was broadcast live on Fox Sports Net, featuring nine bouts, with the main card highlighting the concluding middleweight tournament semifinals following earlier quarterfinal advancements in the division.[53] This event advanced the tournament progression by determining the final two middleweight finalists for the season. The main card opened with the middleweight semifinal between Bryan Baker and Eric Schambari, where Baker secured a first-round submission victory via triangle choke at 2:29, advancing to the finals.[54] In the co-main event, Alexander Shlemenko defeated Jared Hess by TKO due to a knee injury in the third round at 2:20, also progressing in the middleweight bracket.[52] These outcomes set up a highly anticipated middleweight final between Baker and Shlemenko in subsequent events. Preliminary bouts included a non-tournament featherweight bout where Nick Mamalis submitted Mark Oshiro via rear-naked choke in the second round at 1:29.[54] Other notable prelim results featured Aaron Rosa defeating Robert Villegas by unanimous decision (3x 29-28) in a light heavyweight matchup, Adam Schindler outpointing Brian Melancon by unanimous decision (3x 29-28) at catchweight, Eddie Sanchez knocking out Marcus Sursa with punches in the third round at 0:23 in a heavyweight feature fight, Andrew Chappelle submitting Cedric Marks via rear-naked choke in the second round at 3:18 at light heavyweight, Jimmy Flick winning a unanimous decision (3x 30-27) over Humberto De Leon at flyweight, and Fernando Rodriguez submitting Kenneth Battle via rear-naked choke in the second round at 1:28 in a lightweight contest.[53] The event underscored Bellator's emphasis on tournament-style competition, with all main card decisions directly impacting the Season 2 middleweight division's path to the championship.[52]Bellator 21
Bellator 21 marked the inaugural finals event of Bellator MMA's Season 2 tournament series, held on June 10, 2010, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. This installment focused primarily on crowning the lightweight tournament champion, with Pat Curran emerging victorious in a closely contested main event against semifinalist Toby Imada, who had advanced through earlier Season 2 bouts such as Bellator 17. The event aired on Fox Sports Net and featured a mix of tournament conclusion and non-tournament bouts, highlighting Bellator's emphasis on single-night resolutions for its bracket-style competitions. Attendance and viewership details underscored the promotion's growing presence in the MMA landscape during 2010, though specific figures were not publicly detailed at the time. The main event lightweight tournament final pitted Pat Curran against Toby Imada in a three-round clash that went the full distance, ending in a split decision victory for Curran (29-28, 28-29, 29-28). Curran's aggressive striking and takedown defense proved decisive against Imada's grappling prowess, securing the $100,000 prize and tournament title for Curran. This win propelled Curran toward future Bellator stardom, including multiple featherweight championships later in his career. The bout exemplified the high-stakes nature of Bellator's tournament format, where semifinalists from prior events converged for definitive outcomes. Complementing the tournament final, the main card included a high-profile women's catchweight bout at 120 pounds, where undefeated Japanese striker Megumi Fujii dismantled Sarah Schneider via third-round TKO (punches) at 1:58, extending Fujii's professional record to 26-0 at the time. In a heavyweight non-tournament matchup, Mike Hayes outpointed Steven Banks by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) over three rounds, showcasing Hayes' wrestling dominance. These results contributed to the event's narrative of established talents testing against rising contenders. The undercard featured additional competitive action, with welterweight Luis Palomino defeating Jose Figueroa by unanimous decision (30-27 x3), bantamweight Zach Makovsky submitting Eric Luke via kimura in the second round at 4:28, and catchweight fighter Frank Carrillo stopping Sabah Homasi by TKO (elbows) in the third round at 3:16. Preliminary bouts rounded out the night, including middleweight Moyses Gabin submitting Chris Boffil with a rear-naked choke in the first round at 4:41, and bantamweight Brian Eckstein earning a unanimous decision over Mitchell Chamale (29-28 x3).| Bout | Weight Class | Winner | Opponent | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event | Lightweight Tournament Final | Pat Curran | Toby Imada | Split Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
| Co-Main | Women's Catchweight (120 lbs) | Megumi Fujii | Sarah Schneider | TKO (Punches) | 3 | 1:58 |
| Heavyweight | Mike Hayes | Steven Banks | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Welterweight | Luis Palomino | Jose Figueroa | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Bantamweight | Zach Makovsky | Eric Luke | Submission (Kimura) | 2 | 4:28 | |
| Catchweight (175 lbs) | Frank Carrillo | Sabah Homasi | TKO (Elbows) | 3 | 3:16 | |
| Middleweight | Moyses Gabin | Chris Boffil | Submission (RNC) | 1 | 4:41 | |
| Bantamweight | Brian Eckstein | Mitchell Chamale | Unanimous Decision | 3 | 5:00 |
Bellator 22
Bellator 22 was a mixed martial arts event produced by the Bellator Fighting Championships that took place on June 17, 2010, at the Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri.[5] As part of Season 2, the card highlighted the welterweight tournament final, with the victor earning a $100,000 prize and a shot at future title opportunities, alongside a non-tournament heavyweight bout.[55] The event aired live on Fox Sports Net and featured eight bouts across various weight classes, emphasizing grappling and striking finishes.[56] In the main event, undefeated wrestler Ben Askren captured the Season 2 welterweight tournament title by dominating Dan Hornbuckle with superior takedown control and ground strikes, securing a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds.[55] Askren, improving to 6-0 overall, controlled the fight from the opening bell, achieving mount position in the first two rounds and maintaining top pressure throughout.[57] Hornbuckle, despite his aggressive striking attempts, could not overcome Askren's wrestling prowess, dropping to 20-5.[58] The co-main event saw Cole Konrad claim a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over John Orr in a non-tournament heavyweight bout, relying on his collegiate wrestling background to neutralize Orr's power and dictate the pace across three rounds.[56] Konrad, a former NCAA Division I champion, remained undefeated at 4-0 in MMA, showcasing effective clinch work and ground control.[59] Orr, a local Kansas City fighter, struggled to mount offense, falling to 5-5.[60] The main card also included a swift knockout when bantamweight Jose Vega stunned Jarrod Card with a left hook at 0:39 of the first round, earning a knockout victory and improving to 8-3.[57] In a women's strawweight bout, Lisa Ward submitted Stephanie Frausto via rear-naked choke at 2:01 of Round 1, highlighting her grappling expertise.[56] Light heavyweight Raphael Davis forced a verbal tapout from Demetrius Richards due to punches at 2:51 of the opening round, demonstrating ground-and-pound dominance.[55] Preliminary bouts featured quick submissions, underscoring the event's emphasis on finishing ability. Welterweight Tyler Stinson choked out Leonardo Pecanha with a rear-naked choke at 1:42 of Round 1.[56] Rudy Bears similarly submitted Brian Green via rear-naked choke at 3:29 of the first frame in a catchweight matchup.[5] The night opened with bantamweight Jared Downing securing a rear-naked choke victory over Chad Vandenberg at 1:35 of Round 3, going the distance in a competitive scrap.[57]| Bout | Weight Class | Winner | Loser | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event – Welterweight Tournament Final | Welterweight | Ben Askren | Dan Hornbuckle | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Co-Main Event – Heavyweight | Heavyweight | Cole Konrad | John Orr | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Bantamweight | Jose Vega | Jarrod Card | KO (Punch) | 1 | 0:39 | |
| Strawweight | Lisa Ward | Stephanie Frausto | Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 2:01 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Raphael Davis | Demetrius Richards | Submission (Punches) | 1 | 2:51 | |
| Preliminary | Welterweight | Tyler Stinson | Leonardo Pecanha | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 1:42 |
| Preliminary | Catchweight (180 lbs) | Rudy Bears | Brian Green | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 1 | 3:29 |
| Preliminary | Bantamweight | Jared Downing | Chad Vandenberg | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 3 | 1:35 |
Bellator 23
Bellator 23 was held on June 24, 2010, at the Fourth Street Live! entertainment complex in Louisville, Kentucky, marking the conclusion of Season 2 in the Bellator Fighting Championships.[3][61] The event featured the finals of the middleweight and featherweight tournaments, along with several non-tournament bouts, streamed live on the XM Satellite Radio website.[62] The main event saw Joe Warren capture the featherweight tournament championship by defeating Patricio Freire via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds, earning Warren the $100,000 prize and a spot in future title contention.[61][63] In the co-main event, Alexander Shlemenko won the middleweight tournament by defeating Bryan Baker via TKO (punches) at 2:45 of the first round, securing the $100,000 prize and highlighting Shlemenko's striking prowess.[61][63] The undercard included notable victories such as Daniel Straus defeating Chad Hinton by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in a featherweight bout, and Brent Weedman submitting John Troyer with an armbar at 4:55 of the first round in a welterweight matchup.[61] Additional preliminary fights featured wins by fighters including Nick Mamalis over Albert Rios by TKO (punches) in round 1, and Eric Marriott over Lance Taylor by unanimous decision.[3][61]| Fight | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Warren vs. Patricio Freire (Featherweight Final) | Warren wins | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 rounds |
| Alexander Shlemenko vs. Bryan Baker (Middleweight Final) | Shlemenko wins | TKO (Punches) | 1 / 2:45 |
| Daniel Straus vs. Chad Hinton | Straus wins | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | 3 rounds |
| Brent Weedman vs. John Troyer | Weedman wins | Submission (Armbar) | 1 / 4:55 |
| Nick Mamalis vs. Albert Rios | Mamalis wins | TKO (Punches) | 1 / 0:51 |
| Eric Marriott vs. Lance Taylor | Marriott wins | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) | 3 rounds |
| Bryan Goldsby vs. Frank Spencer | Goldsby wins | TKO (Punches) | 1 / 1:12 |
| Matt Veach vs. Greg Billinger | Veach wins | TKO (Punches) | 1 / 0:27 |
Season 2 Tournaments
Featherweight Tournament Bracket
The Season 2 Featherweight Tournament in Bellator MMA featured an eight-man single-elimination bracket at 145 pounds, commencing in April 2010 and concluding in June 2010, with all bouts contested under unified MMA rules including three five-minute rounds. The quarterfinals spanned three events: Bellator 13 on April 8, Bellator 14 on April 15, and Bellator 15 on April 22, following a last-minute relocation of one matchup due to visa complications. In the opening round at Bellator 13, Joe Warren defeated Eric Marriott by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), showcasing dominant wrestling control throughout the fight. Similarly, Georgi Karakhanyan advanced with a first-round knockout via knee strike at 4:05 against Bao Quach, highlighting his explosive striking power. At Bellator 14, Wilson Reis submitted Shad Lierley with a rear-naked choke at 3:33 of the third round, leveraging his elite Brazilian jiu-jitsu to secure the tap.[64] The final quarterfinal at Bellator 15 saw Patricio "Pitbull" Freire force William Romero to submit via heel hook at 2:01 of the first round, demonstrating Freire's versatile submission arsenal in his promotional debut.[65] The semifinals took place at Bellator 18 on May 13, where Warren continued his momentum by outwrestling Karakhanyan to a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), despite absorbing a notable flying knee that opened a cut in the third round.[66] In the co-main event, Freire edged out Reis by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in a closely contested grappling-heavy affair, advancing through superior cardio and ground control.[67] The tournament culminated at Bellator 23 on June 24, with Warren defeating Freire by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a grueling final marked by Warren's relentless takedowns against Freire's counterstriking, earning Warren the tournament championship and a shot at the division title.[68] Across the seven total fights, submissions accounted for approximately 29% of victories (two finishes: rear-naked choke and heel hook), while knockouts comprised another 14% (one knee strike KO), with the remainder decided by judges' scorecards emphasizing the tournament's blend of grappling and decision-based outcomes. No major upsets occurred, as pre-fight favorites advanced in all matchups based on records and rankings at the time. Warren's path remained undefeated in Bellator at 3-0 for the tournament, drawing heavily on his background as a 2004 U.S. Olympic wrestling alternate and Greco-Roman world team member, which allowed him to dictate pace through superior mat control and avoid significant damage en route to the win.[69]Lightweight Tournament Bracket
The Season 2 Lightweight Tournament in Bellator MMA featured an eight-man single-elimination bracket contested at 155 pounds, with quarterfinal bouts spread across Bellator 13, 14, and adjustments due to injuries and replacements. The tournament highlighted the division's blend of striking power and grappling prowess, drawing significant attention through the inclusion of former UFC contender Roger Huerta, who brought crossover appeal from his Octagon experience.[70][42]Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals commenced on April 8, 2010, at Bellator 13 in Hollywood, Florida, where Huerta submitted unbeaten prospect Chad Hinton via kneebar at 0:56 of Round 3, advancing with his signature grappling attack after a competitive stand-up exchange.[2] In the same event, Carey Vanier replaced the visa-delayed Janne Tulirinta and earned a TKO victory over Joe Duarte with punches at 4:14 of Round 3, showcasing his wrestling dominance to secure the win.[2][71] On April 15 at Bellator 14 in Chicago, Illinois, Pat Curran knocked out undefeated Mike Ricci with a punch at 3:01 of Round 1, delivering a highlight-reel finish that propelled the underdog forward. Also at Bellator 14, Toby Imada, stepping in for the injured Ferrid Kheder, submitted James Krause via armbar at 2:44 of Round 2, utilizing his renowned submission skills from Season 1.[72]Semifinals
The semifinals unfolded on May 6, 2010, at Bellator 17 in Boston, Massachusetts. Curran upset Huerta via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), outworking the favored veteran over three rounds with effective striking and takedown defense in one of the tournament's most notable upsets.[42] In the co-main semifinal, Imada submitted Vanier via armbar at 3:33 of Round 2, reversing an early takedown to lock in the finish and advance to the final.[73][74]Finals
The tournament concluded on June 10, 2010, at Bellator 21 in Hollywood, Florida, where Curran captured the Season 2 Lightweight Tournament Championship via controversial split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over Imada, earning a shot at Eddie Alvarez's lightweight title through a gritty performance marked by volume striking and resilience against Imada's submission threats.[75][76][77]| Round | Matchup | Result | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Roger Huerta vs. Chad Hinton | Huerta def. Hinton (kneebar, R3, 0:56) | Bellator 13 | April 8, 2010 |
| Quarterfinals | Carey Vanier vs. Joe Duarte | Vanier def. Duarte (TKO punches, R3, 4:14) | Bellator 13 | April 8, 2010 |
| Quarterfinals | Pat Curran vs. Mike Ricci | Curran def. Ricci (KO punch, R1, 3:01) | Bellator 14 | April 15, 2010 |
| Quarterfinals | Toby Imada vs. James Krause | Imada def. Krause (armbar, R2, 2:44) | Bellator 14 | April 15, 2010 |
| Semifinals | Pat Curran vs. Roger Huerta | Curran def. Huerta (UD 29-28 x3) | Bellator 17 | May 6, 2010 |
| Semifinals | Toby Imada vs. Carey Vanier | Imada def. Vanier (armbar, R2, 3:33) | Bellator 17 | May 6, 2010 |
| Finals | Pat Curran vs. Toby Imada | Curran def. Imada (SD 29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | Bellator 21 | June 10, 2010 |
Welterweight Tournament Bracket
The Season 2 Welterweight Tournament in Bellator MMA featured eight competitors vying for a title shot against the inaugural champion, Lyman Good, with bouts spread across multiple events in April, May, and June 2010. The format emphasized single-elimination matches, showcasing a mix of striking and grappling exchanges, though ground control and submissions proved decisive in several outcomes, underscoring the division's grappling-heavy style. Ben Askren, a 2008 Olympic wrestler and two-time NCAA Division I champion from the University of Missouri, entered undefeated at 3-0 and leveraged his elite wrestling to navigate the bracket unchallenged on the mat.[78]Quarterfinals
The quarterfinals kicked off at Bellator 14 on April 15, 2010, in Chicago, Illinois, with one bout, followed by three more at Bellator 15 on April 22, 2010, in Uncasville, Connecticut. A notable twist occurred when Jim Wallhead withdrew due to injury; Ryan Thomas, who had just lost his opening bout, was granted a second chance as his replacement against Jacob McClintock.[79]| Matchup | Event | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Askren vs. Ryan Thomas | Bellator 14 | Askren def. Thomas | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 / 2:40 |
| Dan Hornbuckle vs. Tyler Stinson | Bellator 15 | Hornbuckle def. Stinson | Submission (triangle choke) | 1 / 2:03 |
| Steve Carl vs. Brett Cooper | Bellator 15 | Carl def. Cooper | Decision (split: 29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 / 15:00 |
| Ryan Thomas vs. Jacob McClintock (replacement) | Bellator 15 | Thomas def. McClintock | TKO (punches) | 1 / 4:11 |
Semifinals
The semifinals took place at Bellator 19 on May 20, 2010, in Grand Prairie, Texas. Askren faced Thomas in a rematch, dominating with wrestling to secure advancement, while Hornbuckle capitalized on his grappling prowess for a quick finish. These bouts highlighted the tournament's emphasis on ground game, with both winners controlling positions to neutralize striking threats.[80]| Matchup | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Askren vs. Ryan Thomas | Askren def. Thomas | Decision (unanimous: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 15:00 |
| Dan Hornbuckle vs. Steve Carl | Hornbuckle def. Carl | Submission (kimura) | 1 / 2:31 |
Final
The final unfolded at Bellator 22 on June 17, 2010, in Temecula, California. Askren's wrestling pedigree shone through as he repeatedly took down Hornbuckle, a former Sengoku middleweight with strong submission skills, maintaining top control for the majority of the fight. Askren's victory by unanimous decision earned him the tournament crown and a shot at Good's title, which he claimed later in October 2010. The outcome exemplified grappling dominance, with Askren outwrestling his opponent to avoid dangerous exchanges on the feet.[81]| Matchup | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Askren vs. Dan Hornbuckle | Askren def. Hornbuckle | Decision (unanimous: 30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 15:00 |
Middleweight Tournament Bracket
The Season 2 Middleweight Tournament in Bellator MMA featured an eight-man single-elimination bracket, with quarterfinals held at Bellator 16 on April 29, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri. Russian striker Alexander Shlemenko advanced by defeating Matt Major via unanimous decision after three rounds, showcasing his technical boxing and grappling defense to outpoint his opponent. In another quarterfinal, Bryan Baker secured a first-round TKO victory over Sean Loeffler with ground-and-pound punches at 2:43, highlighting his aggressive wrestling-based attack. Eric Schambari submitted Luke Zachrich with an arm-triangle choke in the first round at 3:34, while Jared Hess progressed by choking Ryan McGivern unconscious with a guillotine in the second round at 1:54. These results set up a semifinal matchup emphasizing both submission threats and finishing power.[36] The semifinals took place at Bellator 20 on May 27, 2010, in Hollywood, Florida, where the division's striking emphasis became evident. Shlemenko faced Hess in a grueling three-round war, ultimately winning by TKO due to a knee injury at 2:20 of the third, as Shlemenko's leg kicks and pressure overwhelmed his opponent. Meanwhile, Baker submitted Schambari with a triangle choke in the first round at 2:29, capitalizing on a scramble to lock in the finish and advance to the final. This stage underscored the tournament's blend of stand-up wars and opportunistic grappling, with four of the eight quarterfinal and semifinal bouts ending inside the distance.[82] The final unfolded at Bellator 23 on June 24, 2010, in Louisville, Kentucky, pitting Shlemenko against Baker for the tournament crown and a title shot. Shlemenko dominated early, stuffing a takedown attempt before unleashing a barrage of punches on the ground, forcing a referee stoppage via TKO at 2:45 of the first round. His victory, marked by precise striking and resilience, earned him the $100,000 prize and positioned him as the division's top contender, reflecting the tournament's overall tilt toward knockout artistry over prolonged decisions.[61]| Round | Matchup | Result | Event | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Alexander Shlemenko vs. Matt Major | Shlemenko def. Major | Bellator 16 | Unanimous Decision | 3 / 5:00 |
| Quarterfinals | Bryan Baker vs. Sean Loeffler | Baker def. Loeffler | Bellator 16 | TKO (Punches) | 1 / 2:43 |
| Quarterfinals | Eric Schambari vs. Luke Zachrich | Schambari def. Zachrich | Bellator 16 | Submission (Arm-Triangle) | 1 / 3:34 |
| Quarterfinals | Jared Hess vs. Ryan McGivern | Hess def. McGivern | Bellator 16 | Submission (Guillotine) | 2 / 1:54 |
| Semifinals | Alexander Shlemenko vs. Jared Hess | Shlemenko def. Hess | Bellator 20 | TKO (Knee Injury) | 3 / 2:20 |
| Semifinals | Bryan Baker vs. Eric Schambari | Baker def. Schambari | Bellator 20 | Submission (Triangle) | 1 / 2:29 |
| Final | Alexander Shlemenko vs. Bryan Baker | Shlemenko def. Baker | Bellator 23 | TKO (Punches) | 1 / 2:45 |
Season 3 Events
Bellator 24
Bellator 24 marked the premiere event of Bellator Fighting Championships' third season, held on August 12, 2010, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.[83] The card served as the launch for new single-elimination tournaments in the bantamweight, heavyweight, and inaugural women's strawweight divisions, following a summer hiatus after Season 2. Broadcast live on Fox Sports Net, the event featured seven bouts, with four serving as quarterfinals in the tournaments, drawing attention for introducing women's competition to the promotion.[84] The main event pitted middleweight champion Hector Lombard against Herbert Goodman in a non-title bout. Lombard secured a dominant victory via knockout with punches just 38 seconds into the first round, extending his unbeaten streak and showcasing his striking power. In the heavyweight tournament quarterfinal, Neil Grove defeated Eddie Sanchez by TKO (punches) at 1:32 of Round 1, advancing with aggressive ground-and-pound after a takedown.[84] The women's strawweight tournament quarterfinals highlighted the card's novelty. Megumi Fujii submitted Carla Esparza via armbar at 0:57 of Round 2, marking the undefeated Japanese grappler's Bellator debut. In the other women's bout, Jessica Aguilar earned a first-round submission win over Lynn Alvarez with an arm-triangle choke at 4:01, positioning both victors for semifinals later in the season.[85] On the preliminary card, the bantamweight tournament quarterfinal saw Tulio Quintanilla knock out Brian Eckstein with punches at 2:48 of Round 3, overcoming early pressure to advance. Non-tournament action included Farkhad Sharipov defeating Eric Luke by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) in a featherweight clash, and Yves Edwards edging Luis Palomino by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) in a lightweight matchup.[84]| Bout | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hector Lombard vs. Herbert Goodman | Middleweight | Lombard def. Goodman | KO (punches) | 1 | 0:38 |
| Megumi Fujii vs. Carla Esparza | Women's Strawweight (Tournament Quarterfinal) | Fujii def. Esparza | Submission (armbar) | 2 | 0:57 |
| Neil Grove vs. Eddie Sanchez | Heavyweight (Tournament Quarterfinal) | Grove def. Sanchez | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:32 |
| Jessica Aguilar vs. Lynn Alvarez | Women's Strawweight (Tournament Quarterfinal) | Aguilar def. Alvarez | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | 1 | 4:01 |
| Farkhad Sharipov vs. Eric Luke | Featherweight | Sharipov def. Luke | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Yves Edwards vs. Luis Palomino | Lightweight | Edwards def. Palomino | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Tulio Quintanilla vs. Brian Eckstein | Bantamweight (Tournament Quarterfinal) | Quintanilla def. Eckstein | KO (punches) | 3 | 2:48 |
Bellator 25
Bellator 25 was a mixed martial arts event held by Bellator MMA on August 19, 2010, at the Chicago Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.[86] This event marked the second weekly quarterfinal installment of Season 3, featuring the opening bouts of the promotion's inaugural four-man heavyweight tournament alongside the first quarterfinal of the women's 115-pound tournament, which highlighted a milestone in Bellator's expansion to include female competitors.[87] The card consisted of eight bouts, with four on the main card broadcast live on Fox Sports Net, drawing a crowd to the historic venue for a night dominated by unanimous decisions in the tournament fights.[88] The main event pitted welterweights Dan Hornbuckle against Brad Blackburn in a non-tournament bout, where Hornbuckle secured a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) after three rounds of grappling-heavy exchanges, leveraging his wrestling background to control the fight on the ground.[89] In the heavyweight tournament quarterfinals, undefeated wrestler Cole Konrad advanced with a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Rogent Lloret, using his dominant top control and ground-and-pound to outpoint his opponent without threat of a finish.[86] Similarly, Polish heavyweight Damian Grabowski progressed via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) against Scott Barrett, relying on superior striking volume and takedown defense to secure the win in a tactical affair.[87] The co-main event showcased the women's tournament quarterfinal between Zoila Frausto and Jessica Penne at 115 pounds, where Frausto earned a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) through effective striking and clinch work, marking her advancement while maintaining her undefeated streak in Bellator at the time.[89] On the preliminary card, Torrance Taylor defeated Shonie Carter by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in a welterweight catchweight bout at 177 pounds, overcoming Carter's flashy kicks with consistent pressure.[86] Brian Gassaway outpointed Kevin Knabjian via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) at welterweight, while Kenny Robertson submitted John Kolosci with a keylock at 2:41 of the second round in another welterweight matchup.[89] The card opened with lightweight Eric Kriegermeier choking out Keoki Cypriano via triangle choke at 3:16 of the first round.[88]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Hornbuckle vs. Brad Blackburn | Welterweight | Hornbuckle def. Blackburn | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 rounds |
| Cole Konrad vs. Rogent Lloret | Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal | Konrad def. Lloret | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 rounds |
| Damian Grabowski vs. Scott Barrett | Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinal | Grabowski def. Barrett | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 rounds |
| Zoila Frausto vs. Jessica Penne | Women's 115 lb Tournament Quarterfinal | Frausto def. Penne | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 rounds |
| Torrance Taylor vs. Shonie Carter | Catchweight (177 lb) | Taylor def. Carter | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 rounds |
| Brian Gassaway vs. Kevin Knabjian | Welterweight | Gassaway def. Knabjian | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 rounds |
| Kenny Robertson vs. John Kolosci | Welterweight | Robertson def. Kolosci | Submission (Keylock) | 2nd round, 2:41 |
| Eric Kriegermeier vs. Keoki Cypriano | Lightweight | Kriegermeier def. Cypriano | Submission (Triangle Choke) | 1st round, 3:16 |
Bellator 26
Bellator 26 took place on August 26, 2010, at the Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri, marking a return to the venue after its use in prior events.[90] The event was part of Bellator's third season and featured quarterfinal bouts in the heavyweight and women's 115-pound tournaments, alongside non-tournament matchups on the main card. Broadcast live on Fox Sports Net (FSN), it drew attention for advancing key competitors in the ongoing seasonal tournaments.[91] The main event pitted heavyweight quarterfinalists Alexey Oleinik against Mike Hayes, with Oleinik securing a narrow victory via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds of grappling exchanges and submission attempts.[92] This win advanced Oleinik in the Season 3 heavyweight tournament bracket. In the women's 115-pound quarterfinal, Lisa Ward dominated Aisling Daly with superior wrestling and ground control, earning a unanimous decision (30-27 across all three judges) to progress in her tournament.[91][93] Other main card bouts included non-tournament action, such as Zak Cummings submitting Rudy Bears with a D'arce choke at 1:27 of the first round in a middleweight clash.[94] Kevin Croom also advanced his record by tapping Brian Davidson via rear-naked choke at 3:22 of the second round in a featherweight bout.[95] Jose Vega outpointed Danny Tims by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) in a bantamweight matchup, while Steve Carl claimed a welterweight tournament qualifier spot for Season 4 with a guillotine choke submission over Tyler Stinson at 2:30 of the first round.[92][96]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexey Oleinik vs. Mike Hayes | Heavyweight Quarterfinal | Oleinik def. Hayes | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) / 3 rounds |
| Lisa Ward vs. Aisling Daly | Women's 115 lb Quarterfinal | Ward def. Daly | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) / 3 rounds |
| Zak Cummings vs. Rudy Bears | Middleweight | Cummings def. Bears | Submission (D'arce Choke) / R1 1:27 |
| Kevin Croom vs. Brian Davidson | Featherweight | Croom def. Davidson | Submission (RNC) / R2 3:22 |
| Jose Vega vs. Danny Tims | Bantamweight | Vega def. Tims | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) / 3 rounds |
| Steve Carl vs. Tyler Stinson | Welterweight Qualifier | Carl def. Stinson | Submission (Guillotine) / R1 2:30 |
Bellator 27
Bellator 27 took place on September 2, 2010, at the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, Texas, marking the fourth event of Bellator MMA's Season 3 and featuring the promotion's first featherweight title fight alongside the opening semifinals of the Season 3 bantamweight tournament.[97] The event was broadcast on Fox Sports Net and drew attention for crowning a new featherweight champion while advancing key contenders in the bantamweight division.[97] The main event pitted Season 2 featherweight tournament winner Joe Warren against defending featherweight champion Joe Soto in a non-tournament title bout. Warren, entering with an undefeated 4-0 record under Bellator, secured the championship via knockout (knee and punches) at 0:33 of the second round, ending Soto's reign that began with his Season 1 tournament victory.[98] This upset highlighted Warren's wrestling background and striking power, as he absorbed early pressure from the favored Soto before landing a decisive knee in the clinch followed by ground strikes.[99] The co-main event featured the first bantamweight tournament semifinal, where Ulysses Gomez edged out Travis Reddinger by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds of competitive striking exchanges. Gomez's volume of punches and leg kicks proved decisive in the judges' eyes, advancing him toward the tournament final.[98] In the night's other bantamweight semifinal, Zach Makovsky dominated Nick Mamalis en route to a unanimous decision victory (30-27 across all cards), relying on superior grappling control and takedowns to neutralize Mamalis's aggression. Makovsky's performance underscored his technical prowess, setting up a highly anticipated final against Gomez.[98] A non-tournament bantamweight bout rounded out the main card, with Ed West defeating Bryan Goldsby by unanimous decision (30-27 x3), showcasing West's resilience in a back-and-forth war that tested both fighters' cardio.[97] The event's undercard included preliminary wins for fighters like Andrew Craig (TKO over Rodrigo Pinheiro), Gilbert Jimenez (unanimous decision over Aaron Barringer), and Jon Kirk (TKO over Shane Faulkner), contributing to a total of 10 bouts.[97]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Warren vs. Joe Soto | Featherweight Championship | Warren def. Soto | KO (Knee and Punches) | 2 / 0:33 |
| Ulysses Gomez vs. Travis Reddinger | Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal | Gomez def. Reddinger | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Zach Makovsky vs. Nick Mamalis | Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal | Makovsky def. Mamalis | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Ed West vs. Bryan Goldsby | Bantamweight | West def. Goldsby | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 5:00 |
Bellator 28
Bellator 28 was held on September 9, 2010, at the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts in New Orleans, Louisiana, marking a continuation of Season 3 events with a focus on competitive bouts in a historic cultural venue known for its jazz heritage and performing arts legacy.[100] The event showcased a mix of lightweight, middleweight, and featherweight matchups.[100] Broadcast on Fox Sports Net, the card emphasized skilled grappling and striking exchanges, drawing attention to emerging talents in multiple weight classes.[101] The main card featured four bouts, with notable action in the featherweight division. Georgi Karakhanyan defeated Anthony Leone via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds, using dominant wrestling control and effective ground-and-pound.[100] In a lightweight matchup, Eric Larkin submitted Marcus Andrusia with a guillotine choke at 2:46 of the first round, highlighting his submission expertise.[102] Carey Vanier edged out Rich Clementi by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in a closely contested lightweight fight, showcasing resilient cardio and tactical striking.[100] Finally, Eric Schambari outpointed Matt Horwich via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) in the middleweight division, advancing his standing through persistent takedown defense and counterattacks.[101]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round/Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Anthony Leone | Featherweight | Karakhanyan def. Leone | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 | Non-tournament bout |
| Eric Larkin vs. Marcus Andrusia | Lightweight | Larkin def. Andrusia | Submission (Guillotine Choke) | 1 / 2:46 | - |
| Carey Vanier vs. Rich Clementi | Lightweight | Vanier def. Clementi | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 | - |
| Eric Schambari vs. Matt Horwich | Middleweight | Schambari def. Horwich | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 | - |
Bellator 29
Bellator 29 took place on September 16, 2010, at the Rave-Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, marking the promotion's debut in the state and the first sanctioned mixed martial arts event held there under newly implemented regulations.[104] The card was broadcast live on Fox Sports Net, featuring four bouts on the main card and three preliminary fights, with a focus on advancing the Season 3 heavyweight tournament semifinals alongside non-tournament matchups across various weight classes. The main event pitted undefeated wrestler Cole Konrad against Damian Grabowski in a heavyweight tournament semifinal, where Konrad controlled the fight with superior grappling and striking to secure a unanimous decision victory (30-26, 30-27, 30-27), advancing to the tournament final. In the evening's co-main event, Neil Grove faced submission specialist Alexey Oleinik, quickly overwhelming him with ground-and-pound to earn a first-round TKO at 0:45, booking a showdown with Konrad in the heavyweight final the following month. These victories highlighted Bellator's emphasis on athletic prospects in the heavyweight division during Season 3, contrasting with the more established lighter-weight tournaments from prior seasons. The non-tournament main card opener saw Jameel Massouh submit Nick Mamalis via guillotine choke at 4:27 of the first round in a featherweight bout, showcasing Massouh's grappling prowess in a competitive matchup. Welterweight action followed with Brett Cooper defeating Matt Major by TKO (punches) at 1:27 of the second round, as Cooper capitalized on a barrage of strikes to finish the fight decisively. On the preliminary card, Justin Lemke edged Jason Guida by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) in a light heavyweight contest that went the full three rounds, demonstrating Lemke's resilience in a closely contested affair. Lightweight bout saw Sasa Perkic outpoint Nick Dupees via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), relying on effective striking and takedown defense. The card opened with Kyle Weickhardt knocking out Luis Ramirez with a head kick at 0:30 of the first round in a middleweight preliminary, providing an explosive start to the night's action.| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Event: Cole Konrad vs. Damian Grabowski | Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal | Konrad def. Grabowski | Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Neil Grove vs. Alexey Oleinik | Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal | Grove def. Oleinik | TKO (strikes) | 1 / 0:45 |
| Jameel Massouh vs. Nick Mamalis | Featherweight | Massouh def. Mamalis | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 / 4:27 |
| Brett Cooper vs. Matt Major | Welterweight | Cooper def. Major | TKO (punches) | 2 / 1:27 |
| Justin Lemke vs. Jason Guida | Light Heavyweight | Lemke def. Guida | Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Sasa Perkic vs. Nick Dupees | Lightweight | Perkic def. Dupees | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Kyle Weickhardt vs. Luis Ramirez | Middleweight | Weickhardt def. Ramirez | KO (head kick) | 1 / 0:30 |
Bellator 30
Bellator 30 took place on September 23, 2010, at Fourth Street Live! in Louisville, Kentucky, serving as the closing semifinal event for the Season 3 bantamweight tournament.[105][106] The card featured nine bouts, with the main card highlighting the bantamweight tournament semifinals alongside non-tournament bouts in middleweight, welterweight, and featherweight. Attendance was estimated at around 1,500, and the event aired live on MTV2 as part of Bellator's broadcast deal.[107] The main event pitted middleweight Bryan Baker against veteran Jeremy Horn in a non-tournament bout. Baker, a cancer survivor making his promotional debut, controlled the fight with effective wrestling and ground control, securing a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) after three rounds.[105] In the co-main event, bantamweight semifinalist Zach Makovsky outwrestled Bryan Goldsby, a replacement opponent, to win by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) and set up a final against Ed West.[105][107] Makovsky's blend of takedowns and top control neutralized Goldsby's striking advantage throughout the 15-minute bout.[107] Another bantamweight semifinal saw Ed West edge Jose Vega via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), advancing on the strength of his aggressive pressure and late-round output despite Vega's resilient defense.[105] In a non-tournament welterweight bout, Brent Weedman dominated Jacob McClintock with a first-round TKO at 3:05, landing a knee to the body followed by punches that forced a stoppage.[105] The main card opener featured Bruce Ferguson submitting TJ Barber via rear-naked choke in the second round at 2:50 in a non-tournament featherweight bout.[105] Preliminary results included Ron Sparks' quick knockout of Greg Maynard at 0:50 of the first round via punch in a heavyweight clash, John Troyer's unanimous decision win over Josh Clark in the middleweight division, Mike O'Donnell's second-round armbar submission of Stoney Hale, and Jeremiah Riggs' unanimous decision over Mike Fleniken, all at middleweight.[105] These outcomes finalized the Season 3 bantamweight tournament bracket, with finals scheduled for subsequent events.| Division | Bout | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Middleweight | Bryan Baker vs. Jeremy Horn | Baker def. Horn | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal | Zach Makovsky vs. Bryan Goldsby | Makovsky def. Goldsby | Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal | Ed West vs. Jose Vega | West def. Vega | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Welterweight | Brent Weedman vs. Jacob McClintock | Weedman def. McClintock | TKO (Knee to Body and Punches) | 1 / 3:05 |
| Featherweight | Bruce Ferguson vs. TJ Barber | Ferguson def. Barber | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 / 2:50 |
Bellator 31
Bellator 31 took place on September 30, 2010, at the L'Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana.[108] The event marked the continuation of Bellator Fighting Championships' Season 3, featuring the semifinals of the inaugural women's 115-pound tournament alongside several non-tournament bouts on the main card broadcast via Fox Sports Net.[109] These women's semifinalists had advanced from quarterfinal victories in earlier Season 3 events.[110] The main event pitted undefeated Japanese submission specialist Megumi Fujii against American grappler Lisa Ellis in a women's 115-pound tournament semifinal. Fujii quickly dominated with superior ground control, securing an armbar submission victory at 1:39 of the first round, advancing to the tournament final. In the co-main event, Zoila Frausto edged out Jessica Aguilar via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) after three rounds of competitive striking and grappling exchanges, with Frausto's aggression and takedown defense proving decisive to also advance. These outcomes set up a highly anticipated all-victorious final between Fujii and Frausto in the following event.[111] The undercard included a welterweight clash where Chris Lozano defeated UFC veteran Yoshiyuki Yoshida via TKO (corner stoppage) at the end of the second round due to a severe eye injury sustained from strikes.[112] Other notable results featured lightweight John Harris submitting Kyle Miers with a rear-naked choke at 0:49 of the second round, middleweight Tim Ruberg tapping Aaron Davis via rear-naked choke at 1:44 of the first, heavyweight Mark Holata knocking out Shawn Jordan with a punch at 1:13 of the first, heavyweight Dave Herman submitting Michał Kita with an omoplata at 3:16 of the first, and lightweight Michael Chandler stopping Scott Stap via TKO (punches) at 1:57 of the first.[109]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megumi Fujii vs. Lisa Ellis | Women's 115 lb (Tournament Semifinal) | Fujii def. Ellis | Submission (Armbar) | 1 | 1:39 |
| Zoila Frausto vs. Jessica Aguilar | Women's 115 lb (Tournament Semifinal) | Frausto def. Aguilar | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 | 5:00 |
| Chris Lozano vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida | Welterweight | Lozano def. Yoshida | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 | 5:00 |
| John Harris vs. Kyle Miers | Lightweight | Harris def. Miers | Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) | 2 | 0:49 |
Bellator 32
Bellator 32 took place on October 14, 2010, at the Kansas City Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri, as part of Bellator MMA's Season 3 tournament finals.[114] The event featured the crowning of the promotion's inaugural heavyweight and bantamweight champions through the respective tournament finales, marking a significant milestone in Bellator's early expansion of weight classes. Broadcast live on MTV2, it drew attention for showcasing undefeated prospects in high-stakes title bouts.[7] The main event pitted heavyweight tournament finalist Cole Konrad against Neil Grove to determine the first Bellator heavyweight champion. Konrad, an undefeated wrestler from the University of Minnesota, submitted Grove via keylock at 4:45 of the first round, securing the title and improving his record to 6-0.[115] This victory highlighted Konrad's grappling dominance, as he controlled the fight early and forced the tapout against the taller, striking-oriented Grove.[116] In the co-main event, bantamweight finalist Zach Makovsky faced Ed West for the inaugural bantamweight title in a five-round bout. Makovsky dominated with superior wrestling and striking, earning a unanimous decision victory with scores of 50-45, 50-45, and 49-46, bringing his record to 12-2.[117] West, who had advanced through the tournament with knockout wins, couldn't overcome Makovsky's pressure, snapping his seven-fight win streak.[7] The undercard included several non-tournament bouts to round out the evening. Notable results featured Jim Wallhead defeating Ryan Thomas via TKO (punches) in the second round, and local fighter Rudy Bears submitting Demi Deeds with a rear-naked choke in the first.[118] Additional preliminary fights saw Michael Chandler submit Chris Page via guillotine choke, and Brian Davidson knock out Shane Hutchison early in their matchup.[116] These outcomes underscored the depth of talent in Bellator's roster at the time.| Fight | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cole Konrad vs. Neil Grove (Heavyweight Title) | Konrad def. Grove | Submission (keylock) | 1 / 4:45 |
| Zach Makovsky vs. Ed West (Bantamweight Title) | Makovsky def. West | Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) | 5 / 5:00 |
| Jim Wallhead vs. Ryan Thomas | Wallhead def. Thomas | TKO (punches) | 2 / 4:22 |
| Rudy Bears vs. Demi Deeds | Bears def. Deeds | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 / 2:45 |
| Michael Chandler vs. Chris Page | Chandler def. Page | Submission (guillotine choke) | 1 / 3:01 |
| Brian Davidson vs. Shane Hutchison | Davidson def. Hutchison | KO (punch) | 1 / 0:54 |
Bellator 33
Bellator 33 took place on October 21, 2010, at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, marking the tenth event of Bellator MMA's third season.[119] The card was broadcast on Fox Sports Net and featured a welterweight championship bout as the main event, along with several non-tournament fights across multiple weight classes.[120] The headline fight saw Ben Askren, winner of the Season 2 welterweight tournament, challenge reigning champion Lyman Good for the Bellator welterweight title.[121] Askren, a two-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, dominated the grappling exchanges throughout the five-round bout, securing multiple takedowns and controlling Good on the ground despite a notable upkick from Good in the second round that briefly stunned Askren.[122] Good, who had claimed the inaugural title in 2009, mounted some striking offense but couldn't overcome Askren's pressure, resulting in a unanimous decision victory for Askren (49-46, 48-47, 50-45) to claim the championship.[123] In the co-main event, lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez faced Roger Huerta in a non-title matchup. Alvarez overwhelmed Huerta with superior striking and grappling, forcing Huerta's corner to stop the fight after the second round due to accumulated damage.[122] The undercard included welterweight bouts such as Tim Carpenter defeating Jamal Patterson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) and Kenny Foster beating Lester Caslow by unanimous decision (29-28 across the board), alongside featherweight and other preliminary fights.[124]| Fight | Weight Class | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Askren vs. Lyman Good | Welterweight Championship | Askren def. Good | Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 50-45) | 5 / 5:00 |
| Eddie Alvarez vs. Roger Huerta | Lightweight | Alvarez def. Huerta | TKO (Corner Stoppage) | 2 / 5:00 |
| Tim Carpenter vs. Jamal Patterson | Welterweight | Carpenter def. Patterson | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Kenny Foster vs. Lester Caslow | Welterweight | Foster def. Caslow | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) | 3 / 5:00 |
Bellator 34
Bellator 34 took place on October 28, 2010, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida, marking the conclusion of Bellator MMA's Season 3 with a middleweight title defense and the women's strawweight tournament final.[125][8] In the main event, Hector Lombard defended his middleweight championship against Alexander Shlemenko, the Season 2 middleweight tournament winner, over five rounds.[10][8] Lombard controlled the striking exchanges and avoided significant damage, securing a unanimous decision victory with scores of 49-46 across all three judges.[125][126] This win improved Lombard's Bellator record to 6-0 while retaining his title.[8] The co-main event featured the Season 3 women's strawweight tournament final between Zoila Frausto and Megumi Fujii.[125] Frausto, who had advanced through the bracket with prior victories, edged out the undefeated Fujii via split decision after three rounds, with judges scoring it 48-47 Frausto, 47-48 Fujii, and 49-46 Frausto.[127][128] This outcome crowned Frausto as the inaugural Bellator women's strawweight champion and snapped Fujii's 22-fight winning streak.[125][8]Season 3 Tournaments
Heavyweight Tournament Bracket
The Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament in Bellator MMA featured eight competitors vying for the inaugural heavyweight championship, contested under unified rules at a 265-pound limit, with an emphasis on the division's characteristic power striking and knockout potential. The bracket progressed through quarterfinal bouts spread across four events in August 2010, semifinals on a single card in September, and a title-unifying final in October, showcasing a mix of wrestling dominance, technical grappling, and explosive finishes that highlighted the heavyweight class's physical demands. Quarterfinal matchups unfolded as follows:| Fighter | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Round/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neil Grove | Eddie Sanchez | Bellator 24 (Aug. 12) | Grove def. Sanchez | TKO (punches) | 1 / 1:32 |
| Cole Konrad | Rogent Lloret | Bellator 25 (Aug. 19) | Konrad def. Lloret | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Damian Grabowski | Scott Barrett | Bellator 25 (Aug. 19) | Grabowski def. Barrett | Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 / 5:00 |
| Alexey Oleinik | Mike Hayes | Bellator 26 (Aug. 26) | Oleinik def. Hayes | Split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) | 3 / 5:00 |
Bantamweight Tournament Bracket
The Season 3 Bantamweight Tournament in Bellator MMA featured eight competitors vying for the inaugural 135-pound championship, structured as a single-elimination bracket with quarterfinals spanning Bellator 26 and Bellator 27, semifinals at Bellator 30, and the final at Bellator 32.[107] The division emphasized grappling exchanges and endurance, with several bouts extending to unanimous or split decisions over three five-minute rounds.[134]Quarterfinals
The quarterfinal matchups were as follows:| Fighter | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Vega | Danny Tims | Bellator 26 (Aug. 26, 2010) | Vega wins | Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28) | [135] |
| Ulysses Gomez | Travis Reddinger | Bellator 27 (Sep. 2, 2010) | Gomez wins | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) | [136] |
| Zach Makovsky | Nick Mamalis | Bellator 27 (Sep. 2, 2010) | Makovsky wins | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | |
| Ed West | Bryan Goldsby | Bellator 27 (Sep. 2, 2010) | West wins | Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3) |
Semifinals
Gomez withdrew from the tournament prior to Bellator 30 due to a staph infection, allowing quarterfinal loser Goldsby a reprieve to face Makovsky.[107] The updated semifinals proceeded as:| Fighter | Opponent | Event | Result | Method | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Makovsky | Bryan Goldsby | Bellator 30 (Sep. 23, 2010) | Makovsky wins | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3) | [106] |
| Ed West | Jose Vega | Bellator 30 (Sep. 23, 2010) | West wins | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) |
Final
The championship final pitted Makovsky against West at Bellator 32 on October 14, 2010, in Kansas City, Missouri. Makovsky captured the inaugural Bellator Bantamweight Championship via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) after five rounds, relying on superior wrestling to control the fight and limit West's power punching opportunities.[116] This victory marked Makovsky's fourth straight win in the promotion, establishing him as the division's first titleholder in a tournament known for its technical grappling emphasis.[137]Women's Strawweight Tournament Bracket
The Bellator Season 3 Women's Strawweight Tournament marked the promotion's inaugural women's competition, introducing a 115-pound division to major U.S. mixed martial arts in 2010. This eight-fighter single-elimination bracket emphasized the division's emphasis on speed, grappling, and submission techniques, with several bouts ending via armbars and chokes that highlighted the technical prowess of participants. As a pioneering event, it expanded opportunities for female fighters in a landscape dominated by male divisions, drawing international talent and showcasing emerging stars in American MMA.[23] The quarterfinals unfolded across multiple events, beginning with Zoila Frausto's upset knockout of Rosi Sexton at Bellator 23 on June 24, 2010, via knee and punches at 2:00 of the first round. On August 12 at Bellator 24, Megumi Fujii submitted Carla Esparza with an armbar at 0:57 of round two, while Jessica Aguilar advanced by arm-triangle choke over Lynn Alvarez at 4:01 of the opening round.[138][139] The final quarterfinal at Bellator 26 on August 26 saw Lisa Ellis defeat Aisling Daly by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) after three rounds. In the semifinals at Bellator 31 on September 30, 2010, Fujii continued her dominance by armbar submission of Ellis at 1:39 of round one, securing her spot in the final with her signature grappling attack. Frausto edged Aguilar in a closely contested bout, winning a split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over three rounds in a striking-heavy affair that tested both fighters' endurance. The tournament final headlined Bellator 34 on October 28, 2010, where Frausto captured the inaugural Bellator Women's Strawweight Championship with a split decision victory over the previously undefeated Fujii (48-47, 47-48, 49-46), ending Fujii's 22-0 streak in a grueling five-round battle of attrition.[125] Frausto's triumph, achieved through resilient striking and takedown defense, not only awarded her the title but also $100,000 in tournament prize money, underscoring the event's role in elevating women's MMA visibility.[140]| Round | Fight | Result | Event | Method/Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterfinals | Zoila Frausto vs. Rosi Sexton | Frausto wins | Bellator 23 (Jun 24) | KO (knee/punches), R1 2:00 |
| Quarterfinals | Megumi Fujii vs. Carla Esparza | Fujii wins | Bellator 24 (Aug 12) | Submission (armbar), R2 0:57 |
| Quarterfinals | Jessica Aguilar vs. Lynn Alvarez | Aguilar wins | Bellator 24 (Aug 12) | Submission (arm-triangle), R1 4:01 |
| Quarterfinals | Lisa Ellis vs. Aisling Daly | Ellis wins | Bellator 26 (Aug 26) | Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3), R3 5:00 |
| Semifinals | Megumi Fujii vs. Lisa Ellis | Fujii wins | Bellator 31 (Sep 30) | Submission (armbar), R1 1:39 |
| Semifinals | Zoila Frausto vs. Jessica Aguilar | Frausto wins | Bellator 31 (Sep 30) | Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), R3 5:00 |
| Final | Zoila Frausto vs. Megumi Fujii | Frausto wins (Inaugural Champion) | Bellator 34 (Oct 28) | Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46), R5 5:00 |
References
- https://www.[sherdog](/page/Sherdog).com/events/BFC-Bellator-Fighting-Championships-25-12781
- https://en.wikipedia-on-ipfs.org/wiki/Bellator_Fighting_Championships%253A_Season_Two