Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

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Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:09 pm

Undefeated Nik “The Machete” Fekete Confirmed For Light Heavyweight World Title Tournament


After training among the likes of Rashad Evans, Gray Maynard, Forrest Griffin, Wanderlei Silva, Roy Nelson and a slew of others, undefeated NCAA Division I All-American wrestler Nik "The Machete" Fekete has been confirmed to compete in Bellator's first ever Light Heavyweight Tournament, which airs LIVE on MTV2 beginning in March. The winner of the eight man tournament will take home a $100,000 prize and will be crowned Bellator World Light Heavyweight Champion.

"Fekete is a light heavyweight we've been keeping a very close eye on, and I'm excited to let fans on MTV2 have the chance to see what he is capable of in this tournament to crown our first World Champion at 205 lbs.," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney.

Fekete joins Bellator after completing an incredibly successful wrestling career, which included a four year run on the Michigan State Wrestling Team and a 2008 trip to Beijing to assist the U.S. Olympic squad in their training. It was at Michigan State where Fekete and UFC lightweight Gray Maynard struck up a friendship that ultimately led to "The Machete" ending up at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.

"I went out to Beijing for a month-and-a-half in 2008 for the Olympics to help the team train, and as soon as I got back home, I packed my stuff up and I moved to Vegas," said Fekete. I started teaching classes at Xtreme Couture, and then Wanderlei Silva asked for my help, so I helped teach him a couple different things. I was kind of like a freelance guy, going from gym to gym. I helped train Vitor Belfort for his fight with Matt Lindland, so I would just go from fighter to fighter in Vegas soaking up as much as I could."

Having trained some of the best athletes in the sport, the transition from the mat to the cage seemed like a no-brainer for "The Machete". Now 4-0, including an impressive victory over Strikeforce veteran Ovince St. Preux, Nik is ready for a huge 2011.

"I think 2011 is going to be a breakthrough year for me," Fekete said. "I've been training my whole life and I've been training non-stop for more than two years in MMA. It may sound cliché, but I'm truly excited to go out there and put on a show for all of the fans in attendance, and the millions that will be watching on MTV2."

Fekete joins Daniel Gracie as the only other confirmed participant in the upcoming Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament, which begins this March on MTV2.
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Re: Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:02 pm

U.S. Marine Chris “The Professional” Davis signs with Bellator Fighting Championships

Bellator Fighting Championships has signed the dynamic Chris Davis to its growing list of light heavyweights. After spending over four years serving the United States as a Marine, "The Professional" will bring his skills to the cage in hopes of becoming the first ever Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion in the first ever Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament, airing LIVE this March on MTV2.

"Chris has a great opportunity in front of him in this 205 Tournament," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "Chris has never been out of the 2nd round, in every one of his 10 wins, so his fights are exciting and he has a put it on the line mentality every time he steps into the cage."

Residing in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Davis began his journey into the world of Mixed Martial Arts by chance. After taking a job selling local advertisements, Davis stumbled upon a local gym after looking for new businesses to target. Sensing an opportunity, Davis offered the owner free ad space for complimentary lessons in MMA. It was the perfect fit, and Davis was hooked.

"I knew I was a champion after going out there and winning my first fight following just three months of training," said Davis. "Now when I go out there and get my hand raised with Bellator, that's when everyone else will know I'm a true champion."

That attitude has earned Davis an impressive 10-2 record, including wins against Strikeforce alum Francisco France, Bellator veteran Brian Imes, and fast rising Chris Bell. Having never gone the distance once in his professional career, Davis is tenacious in the cage, using his aggression to overmatch his opponents early in the fight. Davis has won his last three fights by knockout, and has seven first round stoppages to his name.

"I want to overwhelm my opponents," said Davis. "I want them to feel within the first 45 seconds that they are well beyond their means, and they shouldn't be in there with me. That's the pace I go for."

"The Professional" will meet some of his toughest competition yet in the Light Heavyweight Tournament, and will need to be on top of his game to achieve the ultimate goal.

"I'm looking forward to being part of Bellator's first ever light heavyweight tournament, Davis said. "I welcome the thought of having to fight as often as I will. I'm going to just stay in shape and train all the time. I think it will help accelerate my learning curve and help me to get better."

Davis joins Nik "The Machete" Fekete and Daniel Gracie as the only other confirmed participants in the Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament.
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Re: Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Mon Feb 21, 2011 2:04 pm

Heavyweight D.J. Linderman Makes the Cut for Bellator Season 4 Light Heavyweight


Bellator Fighting Championships today confirmed the addition of hard hitting former heavyweight D.J. "Da Protégé" Linderman to its upcoming Light Heavyweight Tournament which will air LIVE on MTV2 beginning in March.

The California native currently sports an impressive 8-1 record including a submission victory over Devin Cole, a knock out win against American Top Team heavyweight Mario Rinaldi last November, and a 2009 victory over Bellator veteran Mike "300" Hayes.

A skilled football player in high school, Linderman thrives on using takedowns to his advantage inside of the cage. Once on the mat, a furious ground and pound assault usually follows. Linderman's incredible drive and force is what led the powerful 27-year-old to Bellator.

"D.J. should bring great power with him when he makes the cut to 205 lbs. for the first time in our Light Heavyweight Tournament on MTV2," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "He had a very aggressive style at Heavyweight, so at 205, he could be a force in this tournament."

The former heavyweight that has fought as high as 261 lbs. has committed to dropping weight in order to enter the upcoming Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament. While cutting the weight was a challenge, Linderman is happy with the results.

"I want to improve my game all around," said Linderman. "I want to improve my cardio, my strength and my quickness. Being a heavyweight that's dropping down to light heavyweight has its advantages. I feel like I will be better than ever at light heavyweight."

The upcoming Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament will be the biggest test of Linderman's young career, and "Da Protégé" is ready for the challenge.

"I've never competed in a tournament like this before, so I'm really excited to take part in this one with Bellator," Linderman said. "I know this tournament will have a bunch of great fighters, and they're going to try to put everything they have out there, and so will I. I'm looking to make a name for myself to the millions of fans that will be watching on MTV2."

Linderman joins Daniel Gracie, Nik "The Machete" Fekete, and Chris Davis as confirmed participants in the upcoming Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament.
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Re: Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:09 pm

Tim Carpenter Confirmed for Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament


Fast-rising undefeated prospect Tim Carpenter has signed an exclusive contract with Bellator Fighting Championships to compete in Bellator's first ever Light Heavyweight Tournament, airing LIVE on MTV2 starting in March. Carpenter joins Bellator with a perfect 6-0 professional record that includes a hard fought decision victory against dangerous submission specialist Jamal Patterson at Bellator 33 in October.

A black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with 3 submission victories to his credit, Carpenter currently trains out of one of the premier martial arts gyms in Philadelphia, Balance Studios. Under the tutelage of world renowned trainers Phil and Ricardo Migliarese, Carpenter credits his Philly upbringing with the success he has seen in the world of mixed martial arts.

"The fight scene here in Philadelphia is great," said Carpenter. "It's really like a family, and it really pushes you to be at your best. I'm always training, and it has turned me into a really well rounded fighter. I'm comfortable on my feet, but also on the ground, and my training here has a lot to do with it."

Carpenter is admittedly anxious to take his skills to the next level in the upcoming Bellator tournament, which promises to be the biggest test in his rapidly developing career.

"When I started looking at Bellator and I saw the list of champions and tournament winners, it's really impressive," Carpenter said. "You have guys that are at the top of the sport fighting for Bellator, and it's exciting to get the chance to compete in a tournament like this. Once you hit that championship level at Bellator, you're in there with guys like Eddie Alvarez, Hector Lombard, Ben Askren, Cole Konrad and Zack Makovsky. It would be an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence with those guys."

"Tim was very impressive at Bellator 33, and it was that performance that made us realize that he could be a great addition to our Light Heavyweight tournament," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney."

Carpenter joins D.J. Linderman, Daniel Gracie, Nik "The Machete" Fekete, and Chris Davis as confirmed participants in the upcoming Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament on MTV2.
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Re: Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:12 pm

Richard “Rare Breed” Hale Joins Bellator’s Light Heavyweight Tournament in Season 4

Bellator Fighting Championships continues to add to its Light Heavyweight Tournament, this time adding powerful Ohio native Richard "Rare Breed" Hale to the competition that airs LIVE Saturdays on MTV2. Hale now has the opportunity at picking up a $100,000 paycheck while becoming the first Bellator World Light Heavyweight Champion.

"Richard is another guy we have had our eye on for a while, and his size and experience should enable him to make some noise this season," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney.

Now fighting out of Tempe, Arizona, Hale (15-3-1) began his MMA journey in 2006 just days after being invited to a local MMA event a friend of his was competing in. Now almost five years later, the training has paid off, as the 25-year-old Hale has held Rage in the Cage Championships in three different weight classes, including Light Heavyweight, Heavyweight, and Super Heavyweight.

After giving more than 40 pounds away to opponents in the past, Hale is thrilled to enter the tournament fighting at 205, stating, "I absolutely feel like I'm more powerful and explosive at 205 pounds," said the 6'4" Hale. "My strength and my stamina is better, and just everything all around. With the weight cut and everything, it pushes me to be a better athlete."

With 13 finishes in 15 victories, Hale is anxious to put his crowd pleasing style on display LIVE on MTV2 during Bellator Season 4.

"I'm looking at this tournament as an opportunity to display my skills to the world," said Hale. "I feel like this is my opportunity to make a statement and I'm absolutely going to take advantage of it. I'm not coming to Bellator just to put on a fight; I'm coming to put on an entertaining fight. This is an entertainment sport, so my opponents have to be ready for anything."

Hale is the fifth confirmed participant in the Light Heavyweight tournament, joining Nik "The Machete" Fekete, Chris Davis, D.J. Linderman, and Tim Carpenter.
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Re: Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Fri Feb 25, 2011 1:53 pm

French Submission Specialist Christian M’Pumbu Confirmed for Bellator Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament

Bellator Fighting Championships today confirmed the participation of Christian "Tonton" M'Pumbu in the upcoming Season 4 Light Heavyweight tournament which will air LIVE on MTV2 beginning in March. The African-born submission finisher brings a 15-3-1 record to the tournament with 12 of those victories recorded as finishes, four by TKO or KOs and eight by submission.

"Christian's dangerous in every facet of the game and he could use this platform on MTV2 to establish himself as a force in the 205 division," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney.

M'Pumbu is currently residing and fighting out of Paris, France; however, the 33 year old was born in Kinshasa, Republic of Congo. His mother donned him "Tonton" at a young age and the nickname stuck. M'Pumbu developed an appetite for combat sports in his teens when he began training in Kyukushinkai Karate. The appetite turned to hunger when at 25-years-old M'Pumbu decided to begin his training in mixed martial arts.

"Tonton" took his first fight in 2004 where he won by KO in just 32 seconds but did not decided to fight professionally until 2006. Now, five years later, M'Pumbu is ready to take the next step in his career.

I have wanted to take a step up in competition for some time now. I'm ready for this," said M'Pumbu. "I truly believe that I will be the Bellator World Light Heavyweight Champion. I'm excited about the future. Hard work always pays off"
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Re: Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Updates

Postby keithlewis » Mon Feb 28, 2011 10:58 pm

All-American Submission Finisher Raphael Davis Finalizes Bellator’s First Ever Light Heavyweight Tournament

The Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament roster is now complete with Division I All-American wrestler Raphael Davis rounding out the class of competitors. Davis joins Daniel Gracie, Nik Fekete, Chris Davis, D.J. Linderman, Tim Carpenter, Christian M'Pumbu, and Richard Hale as the eight 205 pounders competing for the first ever Bellator World Light Heavyweight Championship. The tournament will air LIVE every Saturday on MTV2 beginning in March.

"Raphael's been with us for a while now. Last year he sat with me at the Hard Rock and said that "all he wanted was the chance to compete in a World Title Tournament", and I'm thrilled that we are able to provide him that opportunity," said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney.

Residing and training out of California, the former Division I All-American wrestler for CS Bakersfield enters the tournament riding an impressive nine fight win streak, including victories at Bellator 22 and 34 over Demetrius Richards and former King of the Cage Champion Tony Lopez, respectively.

A powerful submission specialist with 9 finishes in his 10 victories, Davis (10-1, 2-0 Bellator) feels like his shot at the Bellator Championship has been a long time coming.

"I've been waiting for so long for this Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament to finally happen," said Davis. "I've been seeing all of these other champions get their belts put on them after their fights and I want one of those belts for myself. That has always been my goal ever since I first started fighting - I just want to win a belt. I want to be a world champion. Now I'm just really excited to finally have that chance."
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