Bellator 76 Main Card Preview

Though most of the focus is on UFC 153 this Saturday, you don’t want to forget about Friday’s Bellator 76. The main event, which will air on MTV2 at 8pm ET, features a lightweight showdown between former Bellator lightweight champ, Eddie Alvarez (23-3) and Heavy handed Patricky ”Pitbull” Freire (10-3).

This is Alvarez’s last fight on his contract with Bellator and he’s rumored to be on his way to the UFC. Alvarez was seen sitting next to Dana White Earlier this year at an MMA event, which didn’t sit well with Pitbull. He told MMAMania.com ”I thought it was a complete disrespect to Bjorn and the entire Bellator organization. Even though he said bad things about me, after I saw that, I had a big desire to fight him.” With a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Pitbull probably isn’t too worried about the former champ’s wrestling ability and could end up being a war on the feet with the striking skills both of the fighters possess.

Also on the main card is the featherweight quarterfinals featuring eight of Bellator’s top featherweights.

Rad Martinez (11-2) vs. Nazareno Malegarie (20-2)

• Both are Bellator veterans but this will be the first tournament appearance for Martinez, while Malegarie will be making his third.

Mike Richman (11-1) vs. Jeremy Spoon (12-1)

• Both will be getting their first taste of the Bellator tournament. Richman is coming off a knockout of Chris Horodecki, while Spoon most recently lost a decision against Daniel Straus.

Shahbulat Shamhalaev (9-1-1) vs. Cody Bollinger (12-2)

• Two fighters coming in making their Bellator debut, looking to make a big first impression.

Wagnney Fabiano (14-3) vs. Akop Stepanyan (12-3)

• Fabiano hasn’t fought since losing to Joseph Benavidez at WEC 53 on November 11, 2010, he’ll be making his Bellator debut and looking to make a big splash. Stepanyan will also be making his promotional debut at Bellator 76 but will also be fighting in the states for the first time.

With a lightweight main event and eight featherweights all hungry to show the world whose the best in 2012, the Bellator 76 main card should keep your adrenaline pumping the whole night. So if you don’t have MTV2, find a friend who does and make sure to catch these fights. You won’t want to miss Bellator 76 as the lighter weight classes take center stage and put on a good show.

Tags: Akop Stepanyan, Bellator, Bellator 76, Cody Bollinger, Eddie Alvarez, Jeremy Spoon, Mike Richman, MMA, Nazareno Malegarie, Patricky Freire, Rad Martinez, Shahbulat Shamhalaev, Wagnney Fabiano

Category: Bellator, MMA