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After a little break, the Bellator Fighting Championships returns to provide us fans with their annual “Summer Series.†This year’s Summer long event will feature a light heavyweight tournament that will crown a new challenger for champion Christian M’ Pumbu. Also, a once prominent Strikeforce heavyweight competitor will be making his Bellator debut on Friday Night.
Kicking off the action is a heavyweight division fight as Brett “Da Grim†Rogers (11-4-0) is in action against Kevin “Concrete†Asplund (15-1-0). Brett Rogers has had a pretty terrible run recently, where he has suffered two consecutive losses and a no contest. Kevin Asplund enters the fight riding a fifteen fight winning streak, with the majority of the wins coming in the Brutaal MMA promotion. This is going to be a brutal way to kick off the televised card, but it will be Kevin Asplund keeping the streak alive by defeating Brett Rogers.
A Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round fight is up as Roy Boughton (8-2-0) competes against Emanuel “The Hardcore Kid†Newton (17-6-0). Roy Boughton has won four of five heading into the tournament, with a notable victory coming over Murilo Rua. Emanuel Newton enters the fight riding a five fight winning streak, which includes victories over UFC veterans Rodney Wallace and James McSweeney. This is truly a tough fight to make a prediction for, but it will be Emanuel Newton advancing to the semi-finals.
Another Bellator Light Heavyweight tournament Opening Round Fight is next as Richard “Rare Breed†Hale (19-4-0) battles Beau Tribolet (7-1-0). Richard Hale has won four of five in Bellator competition, with his lone loss coming to Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Christian M’Pumbu. Beau Tribolet enters the fight riding a seven fight winning streak, which includes a victory over UFC veteran Chase Gormley. Considering who the only loss of Richard Hale’s Bellator run came to, it is unfathomable to think he will be losing in the opening round.
Up next is another Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round fight as Zelg “Benkei†Galesic (11-6-0) takes on Attila “Pumukli†Vegh (25-4-0). Zelg Galesic has won two of his last five heading into this tournament, but he holds a victory over WEC veteran Doug Marshall. Attila Vegh has won five straight heading into this tournament, including a Bellator 66 win over Dan Spohn. This is a great fight to show the international scouting for Bellator, but it will be Attila Vegh advancing here.
Headlining this card is a Bellator Light Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round fight as Chris “The Professional†Davis (10-3-0) faces Travis “Diesel†Wiuff (66-14-0). Chris Davis is currently winless in Bellator competition, having lost to current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Christian M’Pumbu. Travis Wiuff has won five straight heading into this tournament, including a non-title victory over Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Christian M’Pumbu. There is just way too much of an experience edge to have anything other than a Travis Wiuff victory here.
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