As Bellator counts down the days till they’re on Spike TV, they’re offering up a great night of fights on MTV2 as several tournaments are coming to a close or finding their participants. With a full card on deck at Bellator 79, let’s check in with how the night played out.
The first time I heard the name Ben Askren was exactly two years ago, this month. He was scheduled to square off against Ryan Thomas in Bellator’s Welterweight tournament at Bellator 14. I’d heard of Thomas, the former UFC veteran, whose resume’ looked great on paper and who was poised to make a run in that tourney and challenge then Champion, Lyman Good. Add to that the fact that Askren only had three pro fights to his credit and we were looking at a sure-fire mismatch.
The sixth season for Bellator has been very exciting through the first four events, featuring some of the year’s best fights and most brutal knockouts. Tonight’s Bellator 64 main card on MTV2 was an off night for the promotion with all four fights going the distance.
Many fans of Bellator are buzzing about recent upsets and how they might see a few more down the line during season 6. The Bellator 64 main event between Ben Askren and Douglas Lima may not produce an upset but might be the fight many think it will.
After the dust had settled on a night full of knockouts and submissions Bellator held a brief post fight press conference. The most newsworthy information coming from the presser was the announcement of the welterweight semifinals to be held May 4th in Ontario, Canada at Bellator 67.
Bellator is three weeks into its 6th season and will now kick off its Welterweight tournament with the quarterfinal round at next week’s Bellator 63. Despite two setbacks to two original participants of the tournament, Bellator filled the slots and will now look to crown their next tournament champion and the future #1 contender to the Welterweight Championship, currently held by Ben Askren. Askren will defend his title the following week at Bellator 64 against Season 5 champion, Douglas Lima.
Two more names were added to the list of Bellator Tournament champions at last night’s Bellator 57. The finals in the middleweight and welterweight tournament headlined the promotions second trip to Canada and the Casino Rama in Rama. Ontario.
After a week away Bellator returns to action this weekend with two tournament finals headlining Bellator 57. Title shots are on the line as new tournament champions will be crowned in the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
