Bellator FC 40 - Information, Weigh-Ins & Results

[keithlewis]

Askren vs. Thompson Superfight Headlines Bellator 40 from Newkirk, Oklahoma LIVE on MTV2



Newkirk, OK (April 8, 2011) - After an action-packed night of fights at Bellator 39, former wrestling Olympian and current Bellator Welterweight World Champion Ben "Funky" Askren will take on former UFC and Strikeforce veteran Nick "The Goat" Thompson in a non-title superfight this Saturday, April 9th at the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla. at Bellator 40, which airs LIVE on MTV2.

"Ben hasn't been in the cage since winning the Bellator title, and I can't wait to see him back in action this Saturday LIVE on MTV2," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Nick comes in with a ton of experience, so this should be a great fight."

While "Funky's" title isn't on the line, Askren (7-0) isn't going to treat this matchup any different than his title fight last season against former Bellator Champion Lyman Good. With the experience "The Goat" brings to the cage, Askren knows not to take the veteran lightly.

"I come to fight every single time," said Askren. "Whether you're good or you're bad, I still want to smash you, and it's going to be the same thing when I fight Nick Thompson. It doesn't matter what his record is, I'm going to be looking to kick his ass no matter what."

Along with the Askren-Thompson superfight, Bellator 40 will see a Welterweight semifinal fight between Jay "The Thoroughbred" Hieron and fast-rising Brent Weedman for a coveted spot in the Bellator Welterweight Finals. In a Season 4 Lightweight semifinal fight, undefeated All-American Michael Chandler will step into the cage with Lloyd "Cupcake" Woodard as both unbeaten fighters will be looking to keep their spotless record intact.


The full fight card for Bellator 40 can be located below:


MAIN CARD:

Welterweight Super Fight: Champ Ben Askren (7-0) vs. Nick Thompson (38-12-1)
Welterweight Semifinal Fight: Brent Weedman (19-5-1) vs. Jay Hieron (20-4)
Lightweight Semifinal Fight: Lloyd Woodard (11-0) vs. Michael Chandler (6-0)


UNDERCARD:

Local Feature Fight: Nate James (11-6-1) vs. Tyler Stinson (19-7)
Local Feature Fight: Josh Burns (5-3) vs. Eric Prindle (6-1)
Local Feature Fight: David Rickles (4-0) vs. Dylan Smith (7-1)
Local Feature Fight: Cody Carrillo (6-4) vs. Michael Osborn (2-3)
Local Feature Fight: Mike Winters (4-0) vs. Ryan Quinn (4-2)

[keithlewis]

Bellator 40 takes place at the First Council Casino in Newkirk, OK, where the official weigh-ins and pre-fight press conference have just been conducted.

Headlining the show will be current Bellator Welterweight World Champion Ben "Funky" Askren versus former UFC and Strikeforce veteran Nick "The Goat" Thompson in a non-title Super Fight.

Also on the main card will be two semifinal bouts featuring Jay Hieron battling Brent Weedman to determine Rick Hawn’s opponent in the Bellator Welterweight Finals, while Michael Chandler and Lloyd Woodard, enter the cage for a chance to fight the dangerous Patricky Pitbull in the Lightweight Finals.

Bellator 40 will be broadcast LIVE on Saturday, April 9 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT exclusively on MTV2.

The official results of tonight’s weigh-in are as follows:

MAIN CARD:
Welterweight Super Fight: Champ Ben Askren (170.6 lbs.) vs. Nick Thompson (170.8 lbs.)
Welterweight Semifinal Fight: Brent Weedman (170.2 lbs.) vs. Jay Hieron (170.5 lbs.)
Lightweight Semifinal Fight: Lloyd Woodard (155 lbs.) vs. Michael Chandler (155 lbs.)

UNDERCARD:
Local Feature Fight: Nate James (170 lbs.) vs. Tyler Stinson (170 lbs.)
Local Feature Fight: Josh Burns (257.2 lbs.) vs. Eric Prindle (265 lbs.)
Local Feature Fight: David Rickles (169 lbs.) vs. Dylan Smith (169 lbs.)
Local Feature Fight: Cody Carrillo (155 lbs.) vs. Michael Osborn (155 lbs.)

[broncofan]

DVR'ing this for after Strikeforce.

[keithlewis]

Bellator Fighting Championships landed at the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla., on Saturday night for Bellator 40.

Reining welterweight champ Ben Askren dominated against veteran Nick Thompson in a non-title bout in the main event. Welterweight Jay Hieron and lightweight Michael Chandler also punched their tickets to their respective tournament finals.

It was all Ben Askren against longtime MMA veteran Nick Thompson in Askren’s first fight since taking the title from former Bellator champion Lyman Good. Askren started round one with a spinning backfist, but quickly started a three-round grappling clinic, which left Thompson ineffective for almost the entire fight. At the very end of round three, a frustrated Thompson showed a glimmer of hope as he landed a few blows from the top with Askren on his back. It was not nearly enough to impress the judges, who awarded Ben Askren the unanimous decision victory.

“Tonight at Bellator 40 Ben Askren continued to show the world that he’s the best wrestler in all of MMA,” said Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Chandler looked spectacular and Jay put on a very solid performance as well.”

In the second lightweight semifinal of the season, All-American wrestler Michael Chandler met Lloyd Woodard in a tightly-contested match. In round one, Chandler outwrestled Woodard, displaying crowd-pleasing takedowns, which included a powerful belly-to-belly suplex. Woodard found his ground in round two, landing a big knee to the face of a crouched Chandler and, later, locking in a standing rear naked choke. Chandler came out fresh in round three, continuing his wrestling domination and throwing heavy shots from the top position to close out the round. Going the distance, the judges awarded Chandler the victory via unanimous decision, securing his place in a lightweight finals match-up with Patricky “Pitbull” Freire.

Fast-rising Brent Weedman faced MMA veteran Jay Hieron in a hard-fought welterweight semifinal fight. At the outset of round, Weedman landed a left hook, dropping Hieron to the ground. Hieron, an experienced wrestler, quickly took the top position, where he locked in D’Arce chokes on two occasions, but was unable to submit Weedman. An aggressive Weedman had Hieron backpedaling for the majority of round two, initiating powerful leg kicks and strikes. In round three, Hieron took Weedman to the ground, but was unable to remain in control as Weedman attempted a guillotine choke. Weedman continued the round by landing powerful thigh kicks. Hieron retaliated with a few superman punches. Hieron closed out the round from the top position, which made an impression on the judges, as they declared Hieron victorious via a unanimous decision. Jay Hieron advances to the finals where he will face Rick Hawn.


Bellator 40 Official Main Card Results:

-Ben Askren def. Nick Thompson by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
-Jay Hieron def. Brent Weedman by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-Michael Chandler def. Lloyd Woodard by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)