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BELLATOR FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS 43 PRELIMINARY CARD PREVIEW

The welterweight tournament finals will be taking place at Bellator 43 on Saturday Night to see who will be challenging Ben Askren for the BFC Welterweight Title. Also, UFC veteran Joe Riggs, WEC veteran Chase Beebe and heavyweight prospect Ron Sparks will compete. However, before those fighters can step into the cage, two undefeated fighters will be competing on the preliminary card.

The evening will kick off with a welterweight encounter as Mike Schatz (3-3-0) takes on Michael Osborn (3-3-0). Mike Schatz hasn’t competed in nearly a year, but has fought Bellator veteran Zac George at an Extreme Fight League event. Michael Osborn is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Cody Carrillo at BFC 40. This is going to be a battle of decent stand up fighters and Michael Osborn is the superior striker of the two.

A pair of middleweights will do battle next as George Burton (1-0-0) will be facing John “Section 8” Bryant (5-4-0). George Burton hasn’t competed in over five years, but does hold a victory over Ludwing Salazar at a Titans Of The Pentagon event. John Bryant has already competed once in Bellator, losing to UFC veteran Jake Rosholt by submission at BFC 37. Although George Burton is undefeated, that streak will be ending at the hands of John Bryant on Saturday Night.

Headlining the preliminary card is a welterweight fight as Richard Bouphanouvong (1-3-0) faces David “The Caveman” Rickles (6-0-0). Richard Bouphanouvong has made an appearance in the Strikeforce promotion, losing to Michael Chandler at Strikeforce Challengers 5. David Rickles is undefeated in Bellator competition, defeating Dylan Smith by submission at BFC 40. This fight is pretty much a set up for David Rickles to get a win and that is exactly what is going to happen on Saturday Night.

You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com

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