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It is that time of the year again as the Bellator Fighting Championships presents it’s 2013 “Summer Series.†The promotion has decided to go all out for the first of three summer events, with a total of nine fights on the preliminary card. Of the nine fights on the preliminary card, one will feature a Strikeforce veteran, a UFC veteran and a heavyweight tournament opening round bout.
Kicking off the action is a bantamweight division fight as Steven Artoff (5-1-0) does battle against Justin “The Kid†McNally (1-1-0). Artoff will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came against Jesse Thornton at Sugar Creek Showdown 16. McNally is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Dave Blattman at Bellator 78. McNally may have the better record in Bellator competition, but Artoff is the far superior fighter and will show why as he gets the win.
Lightweight division action will be occurring next as Derek “The Stallion†Campos (10-3-0) is in action against Brandon Girtz (8-2-0). Campos has won two of his last three fight, plus he has competed against UFC veterans Diego Brandao and Rich Clementi. Girtz has won three of his last four bouts and has competed against UFC/Bellator veteran Alvin Robinson. These are two fighters who have fought some well-known competitors, but it will be Campos getting the victory.
A pair of light heavyweight division fighters are up next as Brandon Halsey (3-0-0) competes against Joe “Yagerbombz†Yager (5-1-0). Halsey is currently undefeated as a professional MMA fighter and has defeated UFC veteran Shonie Carter. Yager will be looking to rebound from his first professional MMA defeat, which came against UFC veteran Marcio Cruz. Yager may have more experience than Halsey, but Halsey has fought better competition and that will help carry him to the win.
More light heavyweight division action is up as Raphael “The Silencer†Butler (5-0-0) stands across the cage from Jeremian O’Neal (12-21-0). Butler is currently undefeated as a professional MMA fighter, with only one of five fights going past the opening round. O’Neal may have a poor record as a pro, but he has fought top names like Pete Spratt, Carlo Prater, TJ Waldburger and Tony Fryklund. Barring a major MMA upset from happening, Butler should walk away with the victory to remain undefeated.
Our next fight is a Bellator Heavyweight Tournament opening round fight as Richard “Rare Breed†Hale (21-5-1) has signed on to fight Vinicius “Spartan†Quieroz (6-3-0). Hale last competed for the Bellator Heavyweight Title, losing to current champion Alexander Volkov via decision. Quieroz has only won one of two fights since his UFC release, which came after a loss to Rob Broughton at UFC 120. Hale was a fight away from becoming the champion and he will get one step closer to another shot as he advances in the tournament.
Another lightweight division fight is up next as Damon “Leech†Jackson (5-0-0) will duke it out with Keith Miner (5-4-0). Jackson is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Zac Church via submission at Bellator 86. Miner has only won one of his last three fights, with that lone victory coming over Christopher Friddle by TKO. Jackson has been looking unstoppable thus far in his career and he will continue to be unstoppable on Wednesday Night.
We return to the bantamweight division for the next fight as Mike “Mighty Mouse†Maldonado (4-0-0) battles Chabous Smith (2-3-0). Maldonado is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Tim Goodwin at Bellator 89. Smith has mainly competed in the King Of The Cage promotion, where he won one of three fights while there. Maldonado has a great future in mixed martial arts and he will show why as he hands Smith another loss.
Up next is a middleweight division fight as Keith “KO Kid†Berry (14-10-0) takes on Cortez “Crazy Cowboy†Coleman (9-3-0). Berry has been undefeated since his Strikeforce release, which came after a loss to Adlan Amagov at Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman. Coleman is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated Matt Jones by decision at Bellator 86. Coleman is easily the toughest fighter Berry has fought since his Strikeforce release, but it will be a victory for Berry either way.
Headlining this portion of the card is a featherweight division fight as Jarrod “The Wild Card†Card (13-6-1) faces Chas Skelly (10-0-0). Card has only won one of his last four fights, but one of those losses came to Bellator veteran Luis Palomino. Skelly is currently undefeated as a professional MMA fighter and he holds a victory over UFC veteran Daniel Pineda. Card has been in a bad slump as of late and that slump will continue as Skelly adds to his undefeated streak.
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