Alexander Shlemenko challenges Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard for his title at tonight's Bellator 34 event in Hollwood, Florida. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)
Bellator’s season-ending fight takes place in Hollywood, Florida at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino with two world title fights to cap off the night. The first title fight of the evening is to crown the Bellator 115lb. Women’s Championship, when the world’s top pound-for-pound female fighter “Mega Megu” Megumi Fujii (22-0) squares off against knockout artist “Warrior Princess” Zoila Frausto (9-1). Fujii and Frausto are the cream of the crop of the Season Three Women’s Tournament, having torn through fellow competitors Jessica Pene (7-1), Lisa Ward (14-4), Aisling Daly (5-1), Carla Esparza (3-1), “Jag” Jessica Aguilar (9-4), and Lynn Alvarez (5-2), respectively. Bellator 34′s main event sees the multiple-time Cuban National Judo Champion and Bellator Middleweight Champion “Shango” Hector Lombard (27-2) defend his belt against Season Two Middleweight Tournament winner “The Storm” Alexander Shlemenko (29-3) in a bout that will certainly end with a knockout. Shlemenko claims the belt will belong to the “true striker”, and that he will return to his homeland of Russia with the belt after knocking out the champion. Lombard promises to finish his opponent quickly and keep the belt tightly clinched around his waist. The champion, who tipped the scales at 183.25lbs of solid muscle, broke out of his usual silence when he spoke out at the weigh-ins. “Shango” said he plans on ending the fight with a submission, whether by strikes or his Judo-based grappling, leaving his fans and others to speculate until he takes on “The Storm” tonight in defense of his beloved belt.
Megumi Fujii vs. Zoila Frausto: Fujii has been the favorite to win the tournament from the moment she signed with the promotion. She has shown a level of skill that was far beyond any of her past opponents, especially in regards to the submission game, which is her deadliest weapon. Frausto is the opposite. She prefers to stand and strike with her opponents but has shown that her ground game is not a weak spot in her arsenal, either. “Mega Megu” wants the fight to hit the mat where she can capitalize on her opponent’s unprotected extremities and lock in a submission, whereas Frausto looks to stand and finish Fujii to claim the gold and become the Women’s Champion. The match up on paper would point all fingers toward Fujii being the clear-cut winner, however Frausto will exploit her position as the wildcard with a puncher’s chance, and finish Fujii in the stand-up. Frausto via TKO, Round 2
Hector Lombard vs. Alexander Shlemenko: Lombard’s game is no secret. The man of few words wants to finish his opponent quickly and go home with the belt. Shlemenko is a fighter much like Lombard in that he speaks only through his translator and his fists. The challenger will utilize his unorthdox style of striking in an effort to end the fight on the feet and claim the Bellator middleweight crown for himself. The champion has something a little different in mind. Lombard will be looking to decapitate Shlemenko before the ring of the first bell has even finished echoing throughout the arena. Expect Lombard to come out swinging with his usual knockout power, and continuously press the action until he lands that one solid hook or gets Shlemenko into a vulnerable position where he can just pound him out. No more than 90 seconds will pass before Shlemenko is slumped on the canvas or the ref is covering him and waving off Lombard’s advances. Lombard via submission (punches), Round 1
Also on the card is a Bellator middleweight Special Feature Fight between Serbian undefeated prospect “Gagi” Dragan Tesanovic (7-0) and knockout technician “El Gringo Diablo” Mike Bernhard (8-2), and explosive submission specialist Raphael Davis (9-1) squares off against former King of the Cage Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Champion “Kryptonite” Tony Lopez (19-4) in a 205lb. battle that will likely end up with a spot in the next season’s tournament. Lopez via TKO, Round 2 -and- Bernhard via unanimous decision.
