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Week after passing week, MMA fans have been getting top notch events from the Bellator Fighting Championships and this week is no exception. This weeks Bellator event will be headlined by a middleweight title bout as champion Alexander Shlemenko defends against Brennan Ward. There is a seven fight preliminary card as well, with the retirement fight of Rad Martinez in the featured spot.
Kicking off the action is a lightweight division affair as Bubba “The Highlight Reel†Jenkins (5-1-0) competes against Sean Powers (8-4-0). Jenkins has won two of three fights in Bellator, last defeating Ian Rammel by third round TKO at Bellator 109. Powers is currently undefeated in Bellator competition, having defeated David Allred at Bellator 90. Jenkins is a fighter who Bellator has a lot of high hopes for and he will show why when he defeats Powers in the opener.
We move to the welterweight division for the next bout as Michael “Mad Mike†Arrant (14-8-0) does battle against Aaron “The Daywalker†Wilkinson (11-6-0). Arrant will make his Bellator debut riding a seven fight winning streak, with only one of those fights going past the first round. Wilkinson is a UFC veteran who is coming off of a three fight run in Cage Warriors, achieving two victories in the promotion. Arrant is on an incredible run right now and his run will be continuing when he gets a victory over the UFC veteran.
More welterweight division action is happening next as Mike “The Real Pretty Boy†Estus (6-1-0) is in action against Gavin Sterritt (5-1-0). Estus is currently winless in Bellator competition, dropping a fight to Brandon Girtz back at Bellator 104. Sterritt is currently undefeated under the Bellator banner, having defeated Andy Murad by split decision at Bellator 99. These are two of the better prospects in Bellator right now, but it will be Sterritt leaving with a victory.
A pair of light heavyweights will collide next as Trevor Carlson (7-1-0) stands across the cage from Linton “The Swarm†Vassell (12-3-0-1NC). Carlson will be making his Bellator debut in this fight and he is a veteran of the Fight King MMA promotion. Vassell has been undefeated thus far in Bellator competition, having defeated Matt Jones at Bellator 107. Vassell looked good in his promotional debut a few events back and he will look good one more time when he defeats Carlson.
Another welterweight division attraction is up next as Ron Keslar (11-5-0) battles Jordan “Mata El†Smith (18-6-1). Keslar made it to the finals of the season nine welterweight tournament, losing to Rick Hawn in the finals. Smith has only won just one of his last five fights, with that lone win coming over Colton Vaughn at Rage In The Cage VII. Keslar is looking for another run in a welterweight tournament and he will get that opportunity when he defeats Smith.
Up next is a lightweight division affair as Jason “The Finisher†Fischer (6-2-0) takes on Justin “The Silverback†Wilcox (13-6-0-1NC). Fischer has won three of five fights under the Bellator banner, most notably defeating Kyle Prepolec at Bellator 76. Wilcox made it to the finals of the season nine lightweight tournament, losing to Patricio Freire in the finals. Wilcox came out of nowhere and nearly got a title shot in the season nine tournament, he will get another shot in a tournament after he gets past Fischer.
Headlining this portion of the card is a featherweight division battle as Edson “Little Tiger†Berto (17-11-1) faces Rad Martinez (14-3-0). Berto has won just three of his last ten bouts and he has not put a winning streak together in almost seven years. Martinez made it to the finals of the season eight featherweight tournament and this will be his retirement bout. Martinez has been one of the more inspiring fighters to ever compete in Bellator and his story will come to a positive ending when he defeats Berto in his retirement bout.
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