Bellator

Bellator MMA announces three-tier “Dynamite” show including McGeary-Ortiz title fight

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Bellator MMA held a press conference on Saturday afternoon prior to Bellator 138: Shamrock vs. Slice, from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, MO to reveal a brand new “three-tier” show taking place later this year.

Bellator MMA announces three-tier “Dynamite” show including McGeary-Ortiz title fight

Bellator 141: Dynamite was announced for the SAP Center in San Jose, CA on Sept. 19. The first-tier is a light heavyweight title fight between champ Liam McGeary and Tito Ortiz.

McGeary (10-0) gained the Bellator strap at Bellator 134 this past February when he defeated Emanuel Newton in a close decision. That put him at 7-0 in the promotion — his streak also includes a stoppage over Kelly Anundson.

Ortiz (18-11-1) is a former UFC 205-pound champion, but came to Bellator following a losing streak in the premier promotion. In his debut, he stopped then middleweight champ Alexander Shlemenko and is coming off a decision over Stephan Bonnar.

The second-tier is a hybrid show including Bellator’s MMA fights and GLORY’s kickboxing fights. The arena will include both a cage and a ring, for the two respective sports.  Both Paul Daley and Joe Schilling will be competing in kickboxing matches.

The third and final tier is a four-man, one-night light heavyweight tournament to decide who will face the winner of McGeary vs. Ortiz. The four men competing in the tournament are: former champ Newton, former top UFC fighter Phil Davis, Muhammed ‘King Mo’ Lawal, and Linton Vassell.

The two opening bouts will feature two, five minute rounds. A fourth judge will be brought in, if after the 10 minutes the fight is scored as a draw by the three official judges. The finals will feature a regular three, five minute rounds. It has not been confirmed who will fight who in the opening two bouts.

Tickets for the event go on-sale next week.

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Nick Baldwin is a 17-year-old mixed martial arts writer. He has covered mixed martial arts since January 2014. The Winnipeg, Man., native is also a co-host of The MMA Circus. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaldwinMMA.

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