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Bellator returns to action after a week long layoff to bring the fans the finals of the season seven lightweight tournament. Also, a light heavyweight finalist returns to compete in a heavyweight division fight for the first time in many years. If that was not enough, a UFC veteran will make his Bellator debut and Brett Rogers looks to return from his old form.
Kicking off the action is a welterweight division fight as “The Irish Hand Grenade†Marcus Davis (21-9-0) competes against Waachiim Spiritwolf (9-11-1-1NC). Davis has won four of five since being released from the UFC, which came after a loss to Jeremy Stephens at UFC 125. Spiritwolf enters the fight riding a four fight losing streak and has not won a fight since defeating Jaime Jara at Bellator 35. This should be nothing short of a great slugfest between these two fighters, but it will be Davis making a successful Bellator debut.
Heavyweights will step into the cage next as “The American Soldier†Eric Prindle (7-3-0-1NC) battles Brett “Da Grim†Rogers (12-5-0-1NC). Prindle enters the fight riding a two fight losing streak, but did fight for the Bellator Heavyweight Title in a loss to then champion Cole Konrad at Bellator 70. Rogers has split both of his fights in Bellator competition, defeating Kevin Asplund and suffering a defeat to Alexander Volkov. Prindle has the wrestling ability to take the striking game away from Rogers, which is what will be giving him the victory.
Up next is a heavyweight division fight as Ryan Martinez (8-2-0) takes on Travis “Diesel†Wiuff (68-16-0-1NC). Martinez has split both of his fights under the Bellator banner, defeating Manny Lara and suffering a defeat to Mike Wessel. Wiuff made it to the finals of the 2012 Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament, losing to Atilla Vegh. Wiuff is easily one of the most experienced fighters to compete in Bellator and he will get back on track with a victory on Thursday Night.
Headlining the event is a season seven lightweight tournament final fight as Marcin Held (15-2-0) faces Dave “The Fugitive†Jansen (18-2-0). Held punched his ticket to the tournament finals when he defeated both Murad Machaev and Rich Clementi. Jansen earned his way to the tournament with a pair of victories over Magomed Saadulaev and Ricardo Tirloni. The majority of this fight should be contested on the ground, but it will be Held earning the title opportunity.
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