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In a big weekend that includes four big MMA events, the Bellator Fighting Championships is putting on another big event on Spike TV. The card will be headlined by David Rickels, who will be competing for the first time since his title fight loss to Michael Chandler. Also, a pair of featherweight tournament semi-finals are taking place and a UFC veteran steps into the cage.
Kicking off the action is a light heavyweight division battle as Aaron Rosa (17-5-0) competes against Mikhail Zayats (21-7-0). Rosa is competing for the first time since his UFC release, which came after a loss to James Te Huna at UFC On FX II. Zayats is returning to the cage after losing in the finals of the season eight light heavyweight tournament to Emanuel Newton. Zayats was looking great in the tournament until he ran into Newton, but he will rebound to defeat to UFC veteran in this one.
A season nine featherweight tournament semi-final fight is next as Patricio “Pitbull†Freire (19-2-0) battles Fabricio Guerreiro (19-2-0-1NC). Freire earned his ticket to the tournament semi-finals when he defeated UFC veteran Diego Nunes at Bellator 99. Guerreiro was able to get himself into the second round of the tournament when he beat Desmond Green at Bellator 99. These two fighters have polar opposite styles, but it will be the striker in Freire moving onto the finals.
Up next is the other season nine featherweight tournament semi-final fight as Joe “The Juggernaut†Taimanglo (19-4-1) takes on Justin “The Silverback†Wilcox (12-5-0-1NC). Taimanglo found himself in the tournament’s second round after defeating Andrew Fisher at Bellator 99. Wilcox pulled the biggest upset in the tournament thus far when he defeated Akop Stepanyan at Bellator 99. Wilcox shocked the field in the first round, but will not surprise anyone as he defeats Taimanglo in the semi-finals.
Headlining this card is a lightweight division fight as JJ “Superman†Ambrose (19-4-0-2NC) faces David “The Caveman†Rickels (14-2-0). Ambrose will enter the fight riding a two fight winning streak, which includes a win over Brian Warren at Bellator 85. Rickels will be competing for the first time since losing a Bellator Lightweight Title bout to Michael Chandler at Bellator 97. This is a fight that could launch the winner into a season ten tournament and it will be Rickels getting that opportunity.
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