Bellator Fighting Championships begins their fourth season this year and kickoff their relationship with MTV2 beginning on March 5th. Do they have enough talent or market share to compete with Strikeforce or the UFC? Here goes nothing.
Ronnie Mann Signs With Bellator, Will Not Participate In Featherweight Tournament
He isn’t known to casuals and is barely known to even hardcore MMA fans, but this signing should help with awareness and visibility. Ronnie Mann, who lost to Hatsu Hioki in the Sengoku Featherweight Grand Prix, has signed on with Bellator for their fourth season, but will not be competing in the featherweight tournament. Another fantastic signing by Bellator, although him not being a part of the tournament is slightly regrettable. From Bellator:
Read Article >Ben Askren Faces Nick Thompson In Welterweight Superfight At Bellator 40
This is an excellent fight for both Askren and Thompson. For Askren, he gets an excellent step up in competition. Thompson has experience against opposition with a wide array of skill sets on big stages. He also possesses a good jab, decent guard, suitable cardio conditioning, comes from an excellent camp and is generally well-rounded. However, Thompson has some issues with defensive wrestling, although his size relative to Askren might help a little in that department.
A job well done by Bellator in booking this fight.
Read Article >Nik Fekete Confirmed For Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament
Michael Chandler Confirmed As Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Participant
So far Chandler has not only gone undefeated, he’s finished all of his opposition as well with either strikes or submissions. I wouldn’t read much into it as early-stage opposition in MMA can be a very uneven thing, but clearly Chandler is one to watch.
From the Bellator release:
Read Article >UFC Veteran Ben Saunders Signs With Bellator, Will Compete On Fourth Season
From the Bellator press release:
Read Article >Nazareno Malegarie Confirmed As Season Four Bellator Featherweight Tournament Participant
Patricio “Pitbull” Freire Returns for Bellator Season 4 Featherweight Tournament
Wilson Reis Confirmed As Season 4 Bellator Featherweight Tournament Participant
I’ve personally trained with Reis. I’ve never seen someone take the back like he can. However, if he has any deficincies that are glaring, they’re in the striking department. He’ll need to dramatically improve if he wants to advance and wins the finals.
Read Article >Daniel Straus Confimred As Season 4 Participant In Bellator Featherweight Tournament
Straus, again, is not as well known as he should be, but is an impressively talented featherweight. He’s got decent size, although there’s an issue with his ability to finish opposition. That is a liability should he advance in the tournament. From the press release:
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