Bellator Fighting Championships

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Bellator Fighting Championships
Type Private
Industry Mixed martial arts promotion
Founded 2008
Founder(s) Bjorn Rebney
Headquarters Chicago, Illinois, United States
Key people

Bjorn Rebney, Chairman/CEO
Tim Danaher, President

Sam Caplan, VP Talent Relations/Matchmaker
Parent Viacom[1]
Website http://www.bellator.com/

Bellator Fighting Championships (Bellator) is the 2nd largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world and largest tournament-based MMA organization in the world.[2] Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the company was formed in 2008 by Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. Bellator’s events are primarily structured around a tournament format that allows competitors the opportunity to fight for a world championship in their desired weight class. Fighters determine their own path by winning tournament fights until a winner from the eight man field is crowned. The tournament winner is declared the number one contender and is awarded a check for $100,000 and a shot at the reigning world champion. Bellator stands by the motto “Where title shots are earned, not given….”

Contents

[edit] History

[edit] Season One

During Bellator’s first season, events were broadcast nationally on ESPN Deportes in the United States. Bellator 1 took place on April 3, 2009 and like many events that season, aired via tape delay. Tournaments took place in the middleweight, welterweight, lightweight and featherweight divisions with the winners becoming the inaugural Bellator World Champions in their specific weight class. Hector Lombard defeated Jared Hess (fighter)[3] in the finals of the middleweight tournament to become the 185lbs. Champion while Lyman Good defeated Omar De La Cruz to secure the Bellator Welterweight Title[4]. In addition, Eddie Alvarez defeated Toby Imada to win the Bellator Lightweight Belt[5] while Joe Soto defeated Yahir Reyes to become the Bellator Featherweight Champion[6]. The announce team for Bellator’s first season was Jon Anik and Jason Chambers. Some of the memorable highlights from the first season include Toby Imada’s inverted triangle choke submission over Jorge Masvidal in a lightweight semifinal bout at Bellator V,[7] which was the 2009 submission of the year, [8] and a Yahir Reyes spinning back fist knockout of Estevan Payan at Bellator VI.[9]

[edit] Season Two

For Bellator’s second season, events aired nationally on FOX Sports Net in the United States.[10] Season two debuted on April 8, 2010 and like season one, hosted tournaments in the middleweight, welterweight, lightweight and featherweight divisions. Alexander Shlemenko defeated Bryan Baker (fighter) to become the Middleweight Tournament Champion [11] while Ben Askren defeated Dan Hornbuckle to win the 170lb tournament.[12] Also, Pat Curran defeated Toby Imada to win the lightweight tournament[13] and Joe Warren (fighter) defeated Patricio Pitbull to become the Featherweight Tournament Champion.[14] Season two tournament champions were awarded a check for $100,000 and a title shot against the Season 1 Champions. In addition to the tournament fights, season two was the first season to host non-tournament, non-title super fights for current champions. Three of Bellator’s four champions competed in super fights during Season 2. Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard scored the fastest knockout in Bellator history when he defeated Jay Silva in a catch weight bout at Bellator 18.[15] Also, Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez submitted Josh Neer in a catch weight bout at Bellator 17[16] and Joe Soto scored a technical knockout victory over Diego Saraiva in a featherweight bout at Bellator 19.[17] Welterweight Champion Lyman Good was the only champion to not participate in a season two non-title super fight. Bellator also introduced the new commentary team of Jimmy Smith (fighter) and Sean Wheelock during Season 2.[18]

[edit] Season Three

Bellator kicked off its third season on August 12, 2010 with tournaments in the bantamweight, heavyweight, and women’s divisions. Zach Makovsky defeated Ed West at Bellator 32 to win the 135lb tournament and become the promotions first ever Bellator Bantamweight Champion.Also that same evening, Cole Konrad submitted Neil Grove to win the heavyweight tournament and become the first Heavyweight Champion in Bellator history.[19] Zoila Gurgel became the first Bellator Women’s Champion when she defeated Megumi Fujii at Bellator 34.[20] The first official title defense took place between defending Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Soto and Season 2 Tournament Champion Joe Warren at Bellator 37. Warren defeated Soto by TKO to become the new Bellator Featherweight Champion.[21] Other championship fights featured during season 3 were Hector Lombard retaining his Bellator middleweight championship by defeating Season 2 Tournament Winner, Alexander Shlemenko[22] and Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Champion, Ben Askren, defeating reigning champion Lyman Good to become the new Bellator Welterweight Champion.[23] Some of the memorable moments from Bellator’s Season three are Eddie Alvarez’s third round TKO victory over UFC veteran Roger Huerta in a non-title match[24] and Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard’s 38 second knockout of Herbert Goodman at Bellator 24.[25]

[edit] Season Four –The MTV2 Partnership

Season Four of Bellator began broadcasting nationally on March 5, 2011 and marked the promotions departure from FOX Sports Net to MTV2.[26] Season 4 showcased tournaments in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and light heavyweight divisions. Patricio “Pitbull” defeated Daniel Straus at Bellator 45 to become the Bellator Featherweight Tournament Champion[27] while Christian M'Pumbu defeated Richard Hale (fighter) the same night to become the first Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion in history.[28] Also, Michael Chandler became the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Champion when he defeated Patricky “Pitbull” at Bellator 44[29] while Jay Hieron booked a welterweight title shot by defeating Rick Hawn in the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Championship at Bellator 43.[30] Some of the memorable highlights from Bellator’s fourth season include Ben Saunders earning a TKO victory over Matt Lee in his Bellator debut[31], Richard Hale’s inverted triangle choke over Nik Fekete at Bellator 38[32], a flying knee knockout by Patricky “Pitbull” over Toby Imada at Bellator 39[33] and Hector Lombard’s one punch knockout of Falaniko Vitale at Bellator 44.[34] Hale and Pitbull were, respectively, nominated for the 2011 World MMA Awards submission of the year and knockout of the year.[35]  

[edit] Summer Series-2011

In the summer of 2011, Bellator introduced the Summer Series which would feature a featherweight tournament that would decide a challenger for reigning Bellator Featherweight Champion Joe Warren. Like Season 4, the Summer Series was broadcast nationally on MTV2. A total of three events were held during the Summer Series including Bellator 47 which took place at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada. This event marked the first time Bellator held an event outside the United States.[36] In the featherweight tournament, Pat Curran defeated Marlon Sandro with a highlight reel head kick knockout in the finals at Bellator 48 to become the Bellator Summer Series Featherweight Tournament Champion.[37] In addition to the featherweight tournament, Bellator also hosted a number of featured bouts, including Cole Konrad’s non-title win over Paul Buentello and Seth Petruzelli securing a knockout win over former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez at Bellator 48.[38]

[edit] Season Five-The Viacom Era

Bellator’s fifth season, which began on September 10, 2011, continued to air on MTV2 in the United States as well as in HD on Epix. Bellator Tournaments for Season Five featured the bantamweight, welterweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions. Additionally, Bellator announced that the preliminary cards for each event would air on Spike.com as well as Bellator’s Facebook page.[39] In the tournament finals, Eduardo Dantas defeated Alexis Vila at Bellator 59 to become the Bellator Bantamweight Tournament Champion[40] while Douglas Lima knocked out Ben Saunders at Bellator 57 to become the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Champion.[41] Also, Alexander Shlemenko defeated Vitor Vianna at Bellator 57 to become the Bellator Middleweight Tournament Champion[42] while the heavyweight final between Eric Prindle and Thiago Santos was ruled a no contest after an accidental groin kick left Prindle unable to continue.[43] On October 26, 2011, Viacom, the parent company of MTV Networks, announced the purchase of a majority stake in Bellator.[44] As part of the deal, Spike TV will begin broadcasting Bellator live in 2013.[45] On November 7, 2011, in an effort to expand to outside markets, Bellator announced a five-year partnership with FremantleMedia that would allow the company to position itself as one of the premier MMA organizations internationally.[46] On November 19, 2011, at Bellator 58, the company hosted what was called the best fight in the promotion's early history.[47] . Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez fought Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Champion Michael Chandler in a back-and-forth affair. In the end, Chandler defeated Alvarez via fourth round submission to become the new Bellator Lightweight Champion in a fight that several journalists called the fight of the year.[48][49] Other memorable highlights from season five include Douglas Lima’s knockout victory over Chris Lozano at Bellator 53,[50] Eric Prindle’s knockout win over Ron Sparks at Bellator 56, Vitor Vianna’s knockout of Bryan Baker at Bellator 54 and a pair of knockout victories by Alexis Vila and Eduardo Dantas at Bellator 51.[51]  

[edit] Season Six

Bellator’s sixth season airing live on MTV2, which is to begin on March 9, 2012, will feature tournaments in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, and middleweight divisions. This will mark the first time that Bellator will hold five tournaments in a single season. Notable signings for season six tournaments including MMA veterans Brian Foster[52] and Maiquel Falcao.[53]

[edit] Rules

The current rules for Bellator Fighting Championships were originally established by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board.[54] The Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts that New Jersey established has been adopted in other states that regulate mixed martial arts, including Nevada, Louisiana, and California, and are the same as used by other mixed martial arts promotions in North America.

[edit] Rounds

Bellator’s rounds vary in length depending on whether a match is a championship fight or a non-championship fight. Championship fights are scheduled for five rounds while non-championship fights are scheduled for three rounds. All rounds are five minutes in length with a one minute rest period between rounds.

[edit] Weight Divisions

See also: Mixed martial arts weight classes

Bellator currently uses seven weight classes for men:

Weight class name Upper limit
in pounds (lb) in kilograms (kg)
Bantamweight 135 61.2
Featherweight 145 65.8
Lightweight 155 70.3
Welterweight 170 77.1
Middleweight 185 83.9
Light Heavyweight 205 93.0
Heavyweight 265 120.2

Bellator has also held women’s bouts at the following weights:

  • 115 pounds
  • 125 pounds
  • 135 pounds
  • 145 pounds

 

[edit] Match Outcome

Matches usually end via:

  • Submission: a fighter clearly taps the mat or his opponent, or verbally submits. Also a technical submission may be called when a fighter either loses consciousness or is on the verge of serious injury while in a hold.
  • Knockout: a fighter is put into a state of unconsciousness resulting from any legal strike.
  • Technical Knockout (TKO): If the referee decides a fighter cannot continue, the fight is ruled as a technical knockout. Technical knockouts can be classified into three categories:
    • referee stoppage (the referee ends the fight because one fighter is unable to intelligently defend himself)
    • doctor stoppage (a ring side doctor decides that it is unsafe for the fighter to continue the bout due to excessive bleeding or physical injuries)
    • corner stoppage (a fighter's cornerman signals defeat for their own fighter)
  • Judges' Decision: Depending on scoring, a match may end as:
    • unanimous decision (all three judges score a win for fighter A)
    • majority decision (two judges score a win for fighter A, one judge scores a draw)
    • split decision (two judges score a win for fighter A, one judge scores a win for fighter B)
    • unanimous draw (all three judges score a draw)
    • majority draw (two judges score a draw, one judge scoring a win)
    • split draw (one judge scores a win for fighter A, one judge scores a win for fighter B, and one judge scores a draw)

Note: In the event of a draw, it is not necessary that the fighters' total points be equal. However, in a unanimous or split draw, each fighter does score an equal number of win judgments from the three judges (0 or 1, respectively). A fight can also end in a technical decision, technical submission, disqualification, forfeit, technical draw, or no contest. The latter two outcomes have no winners.

The ten-point must scoring system is in effect for all bouts in Bellator. Three judges score each round with the winner of each round getting 10 points while the loser gets 9 points or less. The only way that an even round can occur is if the fighter that won the round has a point deducted for a foul. Rounds scored 10-8 and 10-7 are typically scored when a fighter wins a round in dominant fashion.

[edit] Fouls

The following is a list of fouls outlined by the states that regulate MMA, as established by the Nevada State Athletic Commission: [55]

  1. Butting with the head
  2. Eye gouging of any kind
  3. Biting
  4. Hair pulling
  5. Fish hooking
  6. Groin attacks of any kind
  7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent (see Fish-hooking)
  8. Small joint manipulation
  9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head (see Rabbit punch)
  10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow (see Elbow (strike))
  11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea
  12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh
  13. Grabbing the clavicle
  14. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent
  15. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent
  16. Stomping a grounded opponent
  17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel
  18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck (see Piledriver)
  19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area
  20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent
  21. Spitting at an opponent
  22. Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent
  23. Holding the ropes or the fence
  24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area
  25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break
  26. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee
  27. Attacking an opponent after the bell (horn) has sounded the end of a round
  28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee
  29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury
  30. Interference by the corner
  31. Throwing in the towel during competition

When a foul is charged, the referee in their discretion may deduct one or more points as a penalty. If a foul incapacitates a fighter, then the match may end in a disqualification if the foul was intentional, or a no contest if unintentional. If a foul causes a fighter to be unable to continue later in the bout, it ends with a technical decision win to the injured fighter if the injured fighter is ahead on points, otherwise it is a technical draw.

[edit] Tournament Rules

During Bellator tournament bouts, the rules are slightly different to those of a non-tournament fight. Elbow strikes are illegal in the quarterfinal and semifinal tournament bouts due to the high probability of a cut occurring. Elbow strikes are legal in the finals. Though the final bout is a tournament championship, it is still three five-minute rounds since it is not a title fight.

[edit] Bellator Events

Main article: List of Bellator events

[edit] Tournaments

Bellator Fighting Championships: Season One (April 3, 2009 - June 19, 2009)

  • Winners:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Middleweight Cuba Hector Lombard United States Jared Hess Bellator 12
Welterweight United States Lyman Good Dominican Republic Omar De La Cruz Bellator 11
Lightweight United States Eddie Alvarez United States Toby Imada Bellator 12
Featherweight United States Joe Soto Mexico Yahir Reyes Bellator 10

Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Two (April 8, 2010 - June 24, 2010)

  • Winners:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Middleweight Russia Alexander Shlemenko United States Bryan Baker Bellator 23
Welterweight United States Ben Askren United States Dan Hornbuckle Bellator 22
Lightweight United States Pat Curran United States Toby Imada Bellator 21
Featherweight United States Joe Warren Brazil Patricio Freire Bellator 23

Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Three (August 12, 2010 - October 28, 2010)

  • Winners:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Heavyweight United States Cole Konrad South Africa Neil Grove Bellator 32
Bantamweight United States Zach Makovsky United States Ed West Bellator 32
Women's Flyweight (115 lbs.) United States Zoila Gurgel Japan Megumi Fujii Bellator 34

Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Four (March 5, 2011 - May 21, 2011)

  • Winners:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Light Heavyweight France Christian M'Pumbu United States Richard Hale Bellator 45
Welterweight United States Jay Hieron United States Rick Hawn Bellator 43
Lightweight United States Michael Chandler Brazil Patricky Freire Bellator 44
Featherweight Brazil Patricio Freire United States Daniel Straus Bellator 45

Bellator Fighting Championships: 2011 Summer Series (June 25, 2011 - August 27, 2011)

  • Winner:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Featherweight United States Pat Curran Brazil Marlon Sandro Bellator 48

Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Five (September 10, 2011 - November 26, 2011)

  • Winners:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Heavyweight TBA
Middleweight Russia Alexander Shlemenko Brazil Vitor Vianna Bellator 57
Welterweight Brazil Douglas Lima United States Ben Saunders Bellator 57
Bantamweight Brazil Eduardo Dantas Cuba Alexis Vila Bellator 59

Bellator Fighting Championships: Season Six (March 9, 2012 - TBA)

  • Winners:
Weight Division Champion Runnerup Event
Middleweight
Welterweight
Lightweight
Featherweight
Bantamweight

[edit] Current Champions

Main article: List of Bellator champions
Division Upper weight limit Champion Since Title Defenses
Heavyweight 265 lb (120 kg; 18.9 st) United States Cole Konrad October 14, 2010 (Bellator 32) 0
Light Heavyweight 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st) France Christian M'Pumbu May 21, 2011 (Bellator 45) 0
Middleweight 185 lb (84 kg; 13.2 st) Cuba Hector Lombard June 19, 2009 (Bellator 12) 1
Welterweight 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st) United States Ben Askren October 21, 2010 (Bellator 33) 1
Lightweight 155 lb (70 kg; 11.1 st) United States Michael Chandler November 19, 2011 (Bellator 58) 0
Featherweight 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) United States Joe Warren September 2, 2010 (Bellator 27) 0
Bantamweight 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) United States Zach Makovsky October 14, 2010 (Bellator 32) 0
Women's Flyweight 115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st) United States Zoila Gurgel October 28, 2010 (Bellator 34) 0

[edit] Notable Bellator fighters

Heavyweight
  • United States Cole Konrad (current Bellator Heavyweight Champion, Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Winner)
  • Brazil Thiago Santos (Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Finalist)
  • United States Eric Prindle (Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Finalist)
  • South Africa Neil Grove (Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Light Heavyweight
  • France Christian M'Pumbu (current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Richard Hale (Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Middleweight
  • Cuba Hector Lombard (current Bellator Middleweight Champion, Season 1 Middleweight Tournament Winner)
  • Russia Alexander Shlemenko (Season 2 & 5 Middleweight Tournament Winner)
  • Brazil Vitor Vianna (Season 5 Middleweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • United States Bryan Baker (Season 2 Middleweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • United States Jared Hess (Season 1 Middleweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Welterweight
  • United States Ben Askren (current Bellator Welterweight Champion, Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Lyman Good (former Bellator Welterweight Champion, Season 1 Welterweight Tournament Winner)
  • Brazil Douglas Lima (Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Ben Saunders (Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • United States Jay Hieron (Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Rick Hawn (Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • Dominican Republic Omar De La Cruz (Season 1 Welterweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Lightweight
  • United States Michael Chandler (current Bellator Lightweight Champion, Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Eddie Alvarez (former Bellator Lightweight Champion, Season 1 Lightweight Tournament Winner)
  • Brazil Patricky Freire (Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • United States Pat Curran (Season 2 Lightweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Toby Imada (Seasons 1 & 2 Lightweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Featherweight
  • United States Joe Warren (current Bellator Featherweight Champion, Season 2 Featherweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Pat Curran (Summer Series 2011 Featherweight Tournament Winner)
  • Brazil Marlon Sandro (Summer Series 2011 Featherweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • Brazil Patricio Freire (Season 2 Featherweight Tournament Runner-Up, Season 4 Featherweight Tournament Winner)
  • United States Daniel Straus (Season 4 Featherweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • Mexico Yahir Reyes (Season 1 Featherweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Bantamweight
  • United States Zach Makovsky (current Bellator Bantamweight Champion, Season 3 Bantamweight Tournament Winner)
  • Brazil Eduardo Dantas (Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Winner)
  • Cuba Alexis Vila (Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament Runner-Up)
  • United States West, EdEd West (Season 3 Bantamweight Tournament Runner-Up)
Women's Flyweight (115 lbs.)
  • United States Zoila Gurgel (current Bellator Women's Flyweight Champion, Season 3 Women's Tournament Winner)
  • Japan Megumi Fujii (Season 3 Women's Tournament Runner-Up)

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/post/2011-10-26/viacom-buys-bellator-plans-2013-start-on-spike/558003/1
  2. ^ Non, Sergio. "Viacom buys Bellator, plans 2013 start on Spike". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/mma/post/2011-10-26/viacom-buys-bellator-plans-2013-start-on-spike/558003/1. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  3. ^ "Bellator XII - Middleweight Championship - Hector Lombard vs. Jared Hess". Bellator. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzFPEjRLPZE. Retrieved 9 February 2012. 
  4. ^ "Bellator XI - Welterweight Championship - Lyman Good vs. Omar De La Cruz". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLLC5WL1TR4. 
  5. ^ "Bellator XII - Lightweight Championship - Eddie Alvarez vs. Toby Imada". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dELElwRpVrQ. 
  6. ^ "Bellator X - Featherweight Championship - Joe Soto vs Yahir Reyes". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0yhuG-9Ac0. 
  7. ^ "Bellator Fighting Championships V - Toby Imada v. Jorge Masvidal - Submission of the Year". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bpr9lPqcMDM. 
  8. ^ "2009 World MMA Awards live coverage". MMAJunkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/17371/2009-world-mma-awards-live-coverage.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  9. ^ "MMA Live: MMA Knockout Of the Year - MMA Live - Yahir Reyes spinning backfist KO". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Az_2me8pIjQ. 
  10. ^ Stupp, Dann. "Bellator strikes landmark broadcasting deal with FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo". MMA Junkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/16544/bellator-strikes-landmark-broadcasting-deal-with-fox-sports-net-nbc-and-telemundo.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  11. ^ "Bellator 23 Highlight: Alexander Shlemenko vs Bryan Baker Middleweight Tournament Final". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqhkEaFiEN8. 
  12. ^ "Bellator 22 Highlight: Ben Askren vs Dan Hornbuckle Welterweight Tournament Final". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cQj2nQLYek. 
  13. ^ "Bellator 21 Highlight: Pat Curran vs Toby Imada Lightweight Tournament Final". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvzUjabFvsU. 
  14. ^ "Bellator 23 Highlight: Joe Warren vs Patricio "Pitbull" Freire Featherweight Tournament Final". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYBKiSW7OHc. 
  15. ^ "Bellator 18 Highlight: Hector Lombard Scores 6 Second KO over Jay Silva". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bg4cneBmME. 
  16. ^ "Bellator XVII Highlight: Eddie Alvarez Submits Josh Neer By Rear Naked Choke". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eem6ORKanG0. 
  17. ^ Smith, Michael David. "Joe Soto Cuts Diego Saraiva With a Vicious Elbow". MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/05/20/joe-soto-cuts-diego-saraiva-with-a-vicious-elbow/. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  18. ^ "Bellator announces Sean Wheelock and Jimmy Smith as FSN broadcast team". MMA Junkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/18554/bellator-announces-sean-wheelock-and-jimmy-smith-as-fsn-broadcast-team.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  19. ^ "Bellator 32 recap: Konrad takes title with sub; new champ Makovsky earns decision". MMA Junkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/21026/bellator-32-recap-konrad-takes-title-with-sub-new-champ-makovsky-earns-decision.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  20. ^ "Bellator 34 recap: Lombard weathers Storm, Frausto shocks Fujii in five". http://mmajunkie.com/news/21198/bellator-34-recap-lombard-weathers-storm-frausto-shocks-fujii-in-five.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  21. ^ "Bellator 27 Highlight: Joe Warren vs. Joe Soto". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzC-bXyioxc. 
  22. ^ Mrosko, Geno. "Bellator 34 results and recap for 'Lombard vs Shlemenko' on Oct. 28 in Hollywood". MMA Mania. http://www.mmamania.com/2010/10/28/1780919/bellator-34-results-and-recap-for-lombard-vs-shlemenko-on-oct-28-in. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  23. ^ Smith, Michael David. "Ben Askren Beats Lyman Good for Bellator Welterweight Title". MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/21/ben-askren-beats-lyman-good-for-bellator-welterweight-title/. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  24. ^ Hui, Ray. "Eddie Alvarez Forces Doctor Stoppage of Roger Huerta at Bellator 33". MMA Fighting. http://www.mmafighting.com/2010/10/21/eddie-alvarez-forces-doctor-stoppage-of-roger-huerta-at-bellator/. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  25. ^ "Bellator 24 Highlight: Hector Lombard KOs Herbert Goodman in 38 Seconds". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZik67RuB9s. 
  26. ^ "MTV2 AND BELLATOR AGREE TO 3-YEAR PARTNERSHIP". http://www.bellator.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=23600&ATCLID=205054922. 
  27. ^ "Bellator 37 results: Reis, Pitbull, Straus and Foster move onto featherweight tournament semifinals". MMA Mania. http://www.mmamania.com/2011/3/19/2061150/bellator-37-results-reis-pitbull-straus-and-foster-move-onto. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  28. ^ "Bellator 45 Christian M'Pumbu scores a vicious knockout becoming the new Light Heavyweight Champion". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrfZtDRe0Ug. 
  29. ^ Richani, Fred. "Bellator 44: Michael Chandler dominates Patricky Pitbull". The Sports Courier. http://thesportscourier.com/content/bellator-44-michael-chandler-dominates-patricky-pitbull. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  30. ^ "Bellator 43 results: Jay Hieron edges Rick Hawn in controversial split decision". http://mmajunkie.com/news/23526/bellator-43-results.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  31. ^ "Ben Saunders vs. Matt Lee at Bellator 39". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PF4MoO6PMy8. 
  32. ^ "Bellator 38 moment Richard Hale locks in an incredible inverted triangle submission on Nik Fekete". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPQF0mP5tOs. 
  33. ^ "Bellator 39 moment Patricky Pitbull delivers a devastating flying knee to Toby Imada". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ogQhql41AY. 
  34. ^ "Hector Lombard lands yet another vicious right hand leaving Vitale slowly toppling to the ground". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JH1Vb_tPM5E. 
  35. ^ "Finalists announced for 2011 World MMA Awards, MMAjunkie.com nominated". MMA Junkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/25070/finalists-announced-for-2011-world-mma-awards-mmajunkie-com-nominated.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  36. ^ Stupp, Dan. "Bellator 47 headed to Canada on July 23, Ontario's Casino Rama plays host". MMA Junkie. http://mmajunkie.com/news/23894/bellator-47-headed-to-canada-on-july-23-ontarios-casino-rama-plays-host.mma. Retrieved 7 February 2012. 
  37. ^ "Bellator 48 Moment - Pat Curran KO's Marlon Sandro". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkWR0tGC8P8. 
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[edit] External links

Bellator Fighting Championships Events
upcoming events are in italics
Season One
Season Two
Season Three
Season Four
2011 Summer Series
Season Five
Season Six
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