Bellator Fighting Championships 49
September 10, 2011
Caesar’s Atlantic City
Atlantic City, NJ
Last evening, Bellator Fighting Championships kicked off their season 5 at Caesar’s Atlantic City. The first card of the season featured the quarterfinals of the welterweight division. Although 3 of the 4 main card fights went to decision, each fighter did their best to prove they are worthy of a shot at the title versus the winner of Ben Askren Vs. Jay Heron.
Chris Lozano def. Brent Weedman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
In the first round, Weedman came out with a frantic pace and dropped Lozano with a punch 10 seconds in to the fight. Lozano was no rocked but was swarmed by Weedman attempting to take his back. When back to standing, each fighter scored big throws, which shake the ring. Weedman finished the last 2 minutes of the round with a triangle back mount on fighting for a rear naked choke.
After clearly losing the first round, Lozano decided to keep the second round standing lands several great power shots including two punches from the clinch that momentarily daze Weedman.
Lozano did 2 spinning back fists at the top of the third round, missing the first but landing the second. Lozano won the rest of the round with a close key lock attempt, and wining most of the scrambles that ensue during the round.
With this win Chris Lozano rebounds from his last Bellator loss against Lyman Good and extends his current winning streak to 3.
Ben Saunders def. Chris Cisneros via TKO at 0:29 Round 3
Chirs Cisneros was a last minute replacement for injured decorated judoka Rick Hawn.
The first round started with the larger and taller Saunders dominated Cisneros with solid top position and ground and pound. Cisneros was able to reverse the position in the last minute but was unable to produce any significant offense and finished the round in Saunders’ triangle at the bell.
In the second round Cisneros did a belly to back take down but Saunders threatened a rolling kneebar forcing Cisneros to give up position. Mid round Saunders established a side mount and threatened a Kimura that opened up Cisneros for 5 big knees to the side and shoulder of Cisneros. Cisneros showed lots of resiliency in squirming out of Saunders dangerous submission game.
The last round started with a Cisneros came out aggressively as he was aware that he was behind on rounds and needed a finish to win the fight. Saunder’s took advantage of the aggression and obtained a Thai clinch and drop Cisneros with knees and caused the referee to stop the fight for the TKO by strikes.
This is the third win in a row, and the second TKO finish in a row for the Ultimate Fighter alumni.
Luis Santos def. Dan Hornbuckle via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
The first round was all standing as the fighters stayed in a feeling out stage until the last minute of the round when Santos scores with a big jumping head kick and a take down. Santos finishes the round throwing heavy leg kicks that steal the round.
In the second and the third round Santos gives more of the same stand up picking his shots and standing just outside of Hornbuckle’s jab. Hornbuckle was frustrated as he was unable to create any brawling exchanges. The few times the fight went to the ground, the fight was stood up for inactivity.
Luis Santos is now on a 10 fight unbeaten streak since 2009.
Douglas Lima def. Steve Carl via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
This was Steve Carl’s first fight since a bad car accident that caused him to pull out of his last year’s quarter final fight against jay heron.
Lima survived a scare at the beginning of the first round when a huge right hand to the top of the head was landed by Carl that drops him to the canvas. Lima took down Carl and sat in Carl’s guard until he regained his bearings. Lima finished the round getting the better of the ground positions.
Steve Carl started the second round with a failed heel hook attempt and ends up in bottom position. Carl was able to stifle most of the ground and pound by treating a triangle forcing scrambles to keep the fight standing. Lima however this time was able to get the better of the exchanges. Lima rode out the round in top position after a failed double leg attempted from Carl.
The third round was almost all Lima in top position peppering Carl with strikes from guard and side mount. Carl was able to gain top position at the last minute of the fight but unable to produce enough offense to make himself a case to win the last round.
This brings Douglas Lima to a 7 fight-winning streak, 3 of which were made in Canada’s MFC promotion.
After the event Bjorn Rebney had confirmed the set bracket for the semifinal round with MMAjunkie.com . Ben Saunders will face Luis Santos, and Chris Lozano will face Douglas Lima.
