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There are three big mixed martial arts events to keep an eye on this weekend, but it all kicks off this Friday Night with Bellator 79. This event will feature a semi-final tournament fight in both the heavyweight and featherweight divisions. Also, a welterweight title challenger and top Canadian prospect will be stepping into the Bellator cage.
Kicking off the action is a welterweight division fight as Kyle “Alley Cat†Baker (12-6-0) does battle with Ryan “The real Deal “Ford (18-4-0). Kyle Baker has won three of his last five entering this fight, most notably defeating James Warfield at Shine Fights III. Ryan Ford is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Luis Santos at Bellator 67. Bellator has high hopes for Ryan Ford when they arrive on Spike TV and he will continue to reward them with another victory on Friday Night.
More welterweight action will happen next as Douglas “The Phenom†Lima (21-5-0) faces Jacob “Kobe The Stunna†Ortiz (13-3-0). Douglas Lima is coming off of a Bellator Welterweight Title loss to Ben Askren, which happened back at Bellator 64. Jacob Ortiz is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Edgar Garcia back at Bellator 55. Douglas Lima will continue to show why he is a top contender in Bellator as he rolls through Jacob Ortiz.
Up next is a Bellator Featherweight Tournament Semi-Final fight as Mike “The Marine†Richman (13-1-0) battles Shahbulat “Sha†Shamhalaev (10-1-0). Mike Richman punched his ticket to the tournament semi-finals when he defeated Jeremy Spoon at Bellator 76. Shahbulat Shamahalaev made his way to the tournament’s second round when he defeated Cody Bollinger at Bellator 76. Both fighters looked dominant in their opening round fights, but it will be Mike Richman advancing to the finals.
Headlining this card is a Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Semi-Final fight as Richard “Rare Breed†Hale (20-4-0) takes on Thiago “Big Monster†Santos (11-1-0). Richard Hale pulled the upset of season eight thus far when he defeated UFC veteran Mike Wessel in the first round. Thiago Santos advanced to the next round of the tournament when he controversially defeated Eric Prindle by DQ at Bellator 75. Richard Hale’s luck will be running out in the semi-finals as Thiago Santos punches his ticket to the tournament finals.
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