Ron Sparks (red trunks) will return to the Bellator cage Friday night to pit his size and knockout power against Kevin Asplund. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It’s back to Cajun country as Bellator returns to the L’Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana with a loaded card featuring heavy hitters and dynamic finishing artists. Season 6 Middleweight Tournament finalist and owner of 23 first-round (T)KOs “Big Rig” Maiquel Falcao (30-4) will face submission specialist “Sweet Swede” Andreas Spang (8-1). Lighting fast French import “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (14-4) takes on “The Caveman” David Rickels (10-0) in a welterweight semi-final match-up that will determine who will face “The Beast” Bryan Baker (19-3) later this season. Former female tournament finalist and long-time top female fighter in the world “Mega Megu” Megumi Fujii (25-1) steps back into the Bellator cage after a lengthy hiatus to face the recharged and surging “JAG” Jessica Aguilar (13-4). Kentucky countryboy “The Monster” Ron Sparks (8-1) hopes to make a successful return to the bayou as he welcomes Brutaal fight veteran “Concrete” Kevin Asplund (15-1) and his 15-fight win streak to the Bellator cage.

Ron Sparks vs. Kevin Asplund: On the heels of his Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament semi-final defeat to now title challenger ”The American Soldier” Eric Prindle (7-1), Ron Sparks is a man who lives and dies by the sword inside the cage. His opponent is newcomer Kevin Asplund, who has secured 11 wins by stoppage, five by (T)KO, and six by submission, and will serve as a tough opponent for Sparks. “The Monster” will be the much larger man in the cage with an extra 20lbs. and five inches in height. The superior reach coupled with the power that has kept all but one of Sparks’ victories inside the first frame means that Asplund can’t get into a striking match with his foe. Asplund has to stay on the outside and get him into the later rounds or pull a Prindle and land a punch in the heat of an exchange. That is unfortunate for Asplund, as his footwork is typical of a heavyweight and that means darting in and out of Spark’s reach for three rounds is about as likely as lighting striking twice with Sparks getting caught trading in the pocket. “The Monster” has surely been working on his defense and his discipline in the heated exchanges to ensure that won’t happen. Sparks has already given Lake Charles a bloody knockout at Bellator 52 – come Friday night he will likely add another with a big punch that brings down the oak trees. Sparks via KO (Punch), Round 1

Megumi Fujii vs. Jessica Aguilar: In what many believed was a failure on the part of MMA’s judges, ”The Warrior Princess” Zoila Frausto-Gurgel (11-1) was awarded the Bellator Women’s Championship via Split Decision at Bellator 34 in October 2010 and Megumi Fujii returned to Japan following the end of the Bellator women’s tourney. Since then, Fujii has earned three straight wins and returns to Bellator to take on a new and improved Jessica Aguilar. ”JAG” herself has posted four solid wins, two under the Bellator banner, and has shown greatly improved striking since her own loss to Gurgel in the fall of 2010. Come Friday, a top three female fighter, Aguilar, is set to face arguably the top fighter in Women’s MMA, Fujii. “Mega Megu’s” submission game is that of a master, with 19 career victories by submission to prove it. Aguilar has seven wins by submission and two (T)KOs out of her 13 victories, however, what has earned her fans worldwide is her grit, a trait that she will greatly need against Fujii. “JAG” has to keep the fight standing and avoid the takedown and ground game altogether in her Bellator 69 match-up. “Mega Megu” will set up her takedowns with strikes but she isn’t looking to turn this into a boxing or kickboxing bout. If Fujii gets the fight to the mat and can’t secure an arm or leg, which Aguilar will fight tooth and nail to ensure she doesn’t, she will do the proper damage to make sure she steals round after round until the final bell. Aguilar is an underdog in this bout but if she can keep Fujii at bay with her jab and stay dancing on her feet she could walk away with the biggest win of her career. Aguilar via Split Decision

"Pyscho" Karl Amoussou (red gloves) will be much quicker and will have a technical advantage over his Bellator 69 opponent David Rickels in the striking department. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

Karl Amoussou vs. David Rickels: It took David Rickels only 22 seconds to explode on the scene with his knockout win over Jordan Smith (17-3). Although impressive and an eye opener, it was only a fraction of the energy and execution of skill by Karl Amoussou in his win over “The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano (9-3).  Amoussou showed speed, power, and what full-time training has done to his career as a fighter, but Rickels isn’t looking to become a stepping stone for the Frenchman. Rickels and Amoussou both earned most of their wins by submission but “Pyscho” has an edge in speed and technique due to his kickboxing background. Rickels is an ace off his back with five Triangle Choke victories, but the odds of catching Amoussou in that position are slim. Rickels will have to take down and control Amoussou against the fence in order to wear him down. He has solid power in his punches but against Amoussou, “The Caveman” will look like he is in slow motion. Amoussou will out-strike Rickels until he gets him hurt, then he will pounce to finish with strikes or lock on a choke to put his dazed opponent to sleep. Amoussou isn’t one to take any opponent lightly though, and he’ll be on guard against any slick attempts to shoot under his punches or bait him to the mat. Amoussou via TKO (Punches), Round 1 

Maiquel Falcao vs. Andreas Spang: Andreas Spang has pulled off an electric upset win over “The Predator” Brian Rogers (9-4), gotten under several fighters’ skin, and been punished by the athletic commission for almost starting a fight during the post-fight interviews all in his first appearance in the Bellator cage. Both Falcao and Spang are coming off hard-earned wins that secured them a place in the middleweight finale and both are looking to settle what was started on April 20 following their meeting in the cage at the end of the broadcast. With the middleweight crown now vacated by the long-time Bellator king “Shango” Hector Lombard (32-2), the winner  will face the previous season’s champion “The Storm” Alexander Shlemenko (45-7). Falcao and Spang will prove to be strong tests for the other. Spang has shown he can not only take endless amounts of punishment but he can give it back when least expected. Falcao proved even when the fight doesn’t go his way, he can come back and turn the tide in his favor with one punch. Falcao and Spang already have the bad blood to make a slugfest of a fight that will most likely end with a knockout and the referee literally forcing the winner off his fallen opponent. Falcao, however, has to get out of the habit of waiting for an opening and just stay aggressive, overwhelm Spang, and stay smart during exchanges. Spang was expected to lose against Rogers, but he pulled out a win by staying patient and capitalizing on a late second-round opportunity. The same gameplan won’t work against Falcao. Spang will have to out-move and out-work Falcao to the final bell unless he can catch him in a chokehold or grab an arm during a scramble. “Big Rig” has devoted his life to being a fighter and to becoming a champion, and a win over Spang seals his spot for the title. Spang comes to fight and has won eight out of nine times and he has the grit to weather the worst of storms, but that probably won’t be enough on Friday night. Falcao via Unanimous Decision

"The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung (left) and Dustin Poirier (right) wowed audiences in an instant classic match-up, earning both men "Fight of the Night" honors and Jung "Submission of the Night" for his fourth-round D'Arce Choke victory. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The following fight bonuses were awarded for UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier

Submission of the Night:

“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (over Dustin Poirier) receives $40,000

Knockout of the Night:

Tom Lawlor (over Jason MacDonald) receives $40,000

Fight of the Night:

Chan Sung Jung and Dustin Poirier each receive $40,000

Click here for the full list of UFC on Fuel TV 3 results.

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—

“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier: Jung via Technical Submission (D’Arce Choke), Round 4, 1:07

Amir Sadollah vs. Jorge Lopez: Sadollah via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Donald Cerrone vs. Jeremy Stephens: Cerrone via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Yves Jabouin vs. Jeff Hougland: Jabouin via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Igor Pokrajac vs. Fabio Maldonado: Pokrajac via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Jason MacDonald vs. Tom Lawlor: Lawlor via KO (Punches), Round 1, 0:50

—PRELIMS (on Facebook)—

Dongi Yang vs. Brad Tavares: Tavares via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Cody McKenzie vs. Marcus LeVesseur: McKenzie via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Round 1, 3:05

Carlo Prater vs. TJ Grant: Grant via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Kamal Shalorus vs. Rafael Dos Anjos: Dos Anjos via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 1:40

Johnny Eduardo vs. Jeff Curran: Eduardo via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Alex Soto vs. Franciso Rivera: Rivera via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

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Marcus LeVesseur (right), record-breaking collegiate wrestler turned well-rounded mixed martial artist, makes his national debut in the UFC on Fuel TV 3 prelims Tuesday night. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

UFC on Fuel TV: Zombie vs. Poirier is set to take place Tuesday night with a card that looks to bring a lot of exciting free fights to the masses yet again. Headlining the third installment of mixed martial arts action on Fuel TV courtesy of the UFC is a featherweight match-up between “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (12-3) and “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-1). Rounding out the main card are the likes of TUF alum Amir Sadollah (5-3), Tachi Palace Fights vet “Lil’ Monster” Jorge Lopez (11-2), lightweight mainstay and multiple-time fight bonus winner “Lil’ Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (20-7), Muay Thai aficionado “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (17-4), 145lbs. submission artist “Hellbound” Jeff Hougland (10-4), heavy-handed Croatian “The Duke” Igor Pokrajac (24-8), Team Nogueira fighter Fabio Maldonado (18-4), seasoned veteran “The Athlete” Jason MacDonald (25-15), and middleweight jokester “Filthy” Tom Lawlor (7-4). While there certainly will be plenty of entertainment afforded by the main card on Fuel TV, the prelims streamed on Facebook certainly should not be overlooked, as once again they are chock full of young hungry fighters ready to showcase their skills on the big stage.

Appropriately nicknamed newcomer to the UFC “The Prospect” Marcus LeVesseur (21-5) is slated to make his promotional debut at UFC on Fuel TV 3 against The Ultimate Fighter Season 12 alumni Cody McKenzie (12-2), filling in for Aaron Riley (30-13-1).  The 29-year-old lightweight “Prospect”, who trains out of The Minnesota Fight Factory, turned pro in 2003 with a 44-second knockout to kick off his MMA career. Since then LeVesseur has compiled a 21-5 record including ten wins via (T)KO, seven submission victories all coming by Rear Naked Choke, and four decisions. LeVesseur holds notable victories over several TUF vets such as “Red Horse” Dane Sayers (10-2), Brian Geraghty (25-17), and “The Machine” Eric Marriott (21-6). Since 2010, the Minnesota native has gone 7-2, including two three-fight win streaks and five finishes.

Marcus LeVesseur’s successful efforts in MMA come on the heels of an impressive high school and collegiate wrestling career. “The Prospect” won four State wrestling championships while attending Roosevelt High School and Bloomington Kennedy High School in Minnesota, even  defeating reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion “Funky” Ben Askren (10-0) in the title match of a Bi-State Tournament. He furthermore bears the distinctions of being the first NCAA Div. III wrestler to capture four national titles, and only the second collegiate wrestler to finish his career unbeaten, racking up a staggering 155-0 record. Fellow UFC fighter and top middleweight contender Chael Sonnen (27-11-1) is among the short list of wrestlers who have gone undefeated in college, fewer of whom have then followed it up with a dominant career in mixed martial arts. Much like with Sonnen, LeVesseur’s wrestling credentials put him in a class all his own, and coupled with an increasingly more well-rounded striking and submission game, Minnesota’s own “Prospect” is a force to contend with inside the UFC’s Octagon.

—MAIN CARD (on Fuel TV)—

“The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung: 145lbs.
Dustin Poirier: 145lbs.

Amir Sadollah: 171lbs.
Jorge Lopez: 171lbs.

Donald Cerrone: 155lbs.
Jeremy Stephens: 155lbs.

Yves Jabouin: 135lbs.
Jeff Hougland: 135lbs.

Igor Pokrajac: 205lbs.
Fabio Maldonado: 205lbs.

Jason MacDonald: 185lbs.
Tom Lawlor: 186lbs.

—PRELIMS (on Facebook)—

Cody McKenzie: 155lbs.
Marcus LeVesseur:155lbs.

Dongi Yang: 186lbs.
Brad Tavares: 185lbs.

Carlo Prater: 155lbs.
TJ Grant: 155lbs.

Kamal Shalorus: 155lbs.
Rafael Dos Anjos: 156lbs.

Johnny Eduardo: 135lbs.
Jeff Curran: 135lbs.

Alex Soto: 135lbs.
Franciso Rivera: 134lbs.

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Season 6 Featherweight Tournament Final Fight
Daniel Straus vs. Marlon Sandro: Straus via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Season 6 Bantamweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Marcos Galvao vs. Travis Marx: Galvao via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Catchweight Feature Fight
Seth Petruzelli vs. Carmelo Marrero: Bout cancelled due to a reported illness with Petruzelli.

Catchweight Feature Fight
Marius Zaromskis vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf: Zaromskis via TKO (Doctor Stoppage – Cut), Round 2, 5:00

—PRELIMS (on Bellator.com and Spike.com)—

Lightweight Feature Fight
Marcin Held vs. Derrick Kennington: Held via Submission (Heel Hook), Round 1, 2:08

Lightweight Feature Fight
Don Carlo-Clauss vs. Jacob Kirwan: Clauss via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Catchweight Feature Fight
Aung La Nsang vs. Jesus Martinez: Nsang via TKO (Punches), Round 1, 0:36

Bantamweight Feature Fight
Anthony Leone vs. Claudio Ledesma: Leone via Split Decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

Middleweight Feature Fight
Francois Ambang vs. Gregory Milliard: Ambang via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29), Round 3, 5:00

"The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung (blue gloves) is a dangerous finisher who will test the mettle of Dustin Poirier in the main event of UFC on Fuel TV 3. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The world’s premier MMA organization will return to its home away from home on cable TV as UFC on Fuel TV: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier hits the airwaves from the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia this Tuesday. The injury-plagued card has had no less than six changes due to injury, resulting in a main card filled with newcomers and fresh undercard stock. Headlining the event is “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (12-3) vs. “The Diamond” Dustin Poirier (12-1). Playing second horn is TUF winner Amir Sadollah (20-7) as he faces Tachi Palace Fight stand-out “Lil’ Monster” Jorge Lopez (11-2), who makes his sophomore effort in the big show. Lightweight top contender “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (17-4) looks to rebound from one of his worst performances ever against “Little Heathen” Jeremy Stephens (20-7). “Tiger” Yves Jabouin (17-7) will look for three in a row in the UFC against “Hellbound” Jeff Hougland (10-4). “The Duke” Igor Pokrajac (24-8) will go to war with Fabio Maldonado (18-4) as each man looks to get back above .500 in the UFC, and “The Athlete” Jason MacDonald (25-15) will open the card against “The Filthy Mauler” Tom Lawlor (7-4).

Jason MacDonald vs. Tom Lawlor: There is almost always a “fight for your job” kind of bout on any given UFC card. It is,  after all, an organization known for its overall intolerance of failure. The fight between Lawlor and MacDonald, however, runs a bit deeper. Combined, the two have a UFC record of 9-11, and in their past four UFC bouts, the pair are each just 1-3. A five-fight record of 1-4 is an almost guaranteed pink slip from the Zuffa brass, especially for MacDonald who has been shown the door once already. Luckily for him, this bout favors “The Athlete”. MacDonald and Lawlor both specialize on the ground, but the vastly more experienced Canadian is a more accomplished submission fighter from a more respected grappling team. Lawlor’s wrestling may get him top position, but it is doubtful it will get him a win. MacDonald via Submission (Anaconda Choke), Round 2

Igor Pokrajac vs. Fabio Maldonado: At 3-3 and 1-1, respectively, both Pokrajac and Maldonado are looking to break even in the UFC – Pokrajac for the first time. The advantage in this light heavyweight tilt rests squarely behind the Brazilian. Both men prefer to fight on the feet, but Maldonado is an undefeated professional boxer with 22 wins including 21 KOs, a fact that was on full display when he took the victory in his UFC debut by TKO. While both men have shown a weakness on the mat, Maldonado’s Team Nogueira-developed BJJ brown belt puts him a cut above the Croatian. If Pokrajac looks to take Maldonado down, it will at best only stave off the inevitable. Maldonado via TKO (Strikes), Round 2

Yves Jabouin vs. Jeff Hougland: Jabouin and Hougland are fighters of the cut that made Zuffa-run UFC what it is. They aren’t TUF alums or big names from other sports or even other organizations – they are salt of the earth, blue collar fighters that scratched and clawed their way into the UFC, hungry and driven. The result of that hunger showed in each man’s previous UFC efforts. Jabouin came in and dropped his first bout with a 1-2 WEC record behind him, but he saddled up and fought twice more in 2011, winning both times in gritty three-round fights. Hougland had all his woes earlier in his career when he went 1-4. He took a two-year break and has been undefeated ever since, racking up nine straight including a UFC debut win and six submissions. It will be a classic striker versus grappler pairing as Jabouin’s heavy hands have earned him 11 KO/TKOs and Hougland’s black belt level BJJ has scored him nine wins on the ground, seven via submission. Here the bout turns ugly for Jabouin, however. Hougland has been stopped by strikes only once and that was nine years ago. Expect a dirty, gritty war, but expect it to end on the ground with Hougland on top with a second straight UFC win. Hougland via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 3

"Cowboy" Donald Cerrone (red trunks) will be looking to make a big statement at UFC on Fuel TV 3 in an effort to erase the memory of his less-than-impressive showing at UFC 141. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Donald Cerrone vs. Jeremy Stephens: After a rather embarrassing loss to Nate Diaz (16-7), Muay Thai champion Donald Cerrone is getting a second chance to prove he belongs on the top of the lightweight striking heap as he faces heavy-handed brawler Jeremy Stephens. This match is a terrible pairing for Stephens on all fronts. “Little Heathen” has never been stopped with strikes, but he has been submitted three times and has suffered nearly all of his losses due to ground dominance. He has power by the truck load, but he lacks the reach and technical precision of “Cowboy” and once on the mat, he finds himself face to face with a “Submission of the Night” winner holding 13 wins via the three-tap symphony. Stephens is tough and he could land big and knock Cerrone out for the first time in his career, but it is far more likely that “Cowboy” will ride into the sunset with a clear decision win, leaving a battered Stephens in his wake. Cerrone via Unanimous Decision

Amir Sadollah vs. Jorge Lopez: Sadollah is the embodiment of what the UFC has always wanted The Ultimate Fighter to be. He is an extremely well-rounded fighter, born and bred as a professional in the UFC, he is respected by the community, and is well liked by the majority of the fan base. Against him is the polar opposite. Jorge Lopez is the virtual unknown who fought tooth and nail in the regional promotions of Las Vegas to get a chance in the organization in which Sadollah has spent his entire career. Never finished in 13 professional fights, Lopez is one of the toughest fighters Sadollah has faced and is arguably on the same level as the majority of the opponents Sadollah has already met in the cage. That being said, this isn’t Russia and Lopez isn’t Rocky. The product of the UFC and the Xtreme Couture training facilities is, on paper, a technically superior and far more accomplished fighter than his blue collar opponent. Lopez has heavy hands and may be able to stop the TUF winner a second time, but it is far more likely that Sadollah will pick him apart from the outside and beat his legs into mush over a grueling and ugly three-round striking clinic. Sadollah via Unanimous Decision

Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier: The night’s main event features a well-built blue chip prospect in Dustin Poirier against a battle hardened journeyman in “The Korean Zombie”. From a technical standpoint, the match is done and dusted for Poirier who has shown a solid, well-rounded skill set backed by an athleticism that Jung can’t match at this point in his career. “KZ”, however, is an exceedingly dangerous finisher and is known for his almost inhuman ability to absorb punishment with little or no effect on his own effectiveness. Though undefeated as a featherweight, Poirier has also faced much weaker competition than Jung, mainly because of the many late replacements he has faced due to his original opponents pulling out of fights. This could seriously hamper his efforts against “The Korean Zombie” as Jung has seen and learned many of the tricks more advanced fighters use and can employ those against Poirier who may not have encountered them. “KZ” is also a very dangerous fighter at all times. He may hold a lower rank in the submission arts than Poirier, but he has shown an ability to effectively submit opponents with sheer tenacity and opportunism. If the young Louisiana native can deal with the craftiness of his Korean foe, he should be able to come out ahead on the judges’ cards, but he can’t get caught looking or Jung will put him to sleep. Poirier via Unanimous Decision

Marius Zaromskis (black trunks) will make his Bellator debut in a long-awaited rematch against Waachiim Spiritwolf. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

It’s another stop in Atlantic City, New Jersey this Friday night as Caesars Hotel and Casino hosts the Bellator Season 6 Featherweight Tournament finale between former Sengoku 145lbs. king “The Monster of Rio” Marlon Sandro (22-3) and seasoned Bellator veteran Daniel Straus (19-4). Both men are making their second appearance in the tournament finals. Bantamweight semi-final number one goes down in the co-main event as WEC veteran “Loro” Macros Galvao (11-5) faces submission expert “T-Train” Travis Marx (19-3). Two UFC veterans will face off in a light heavyweight special feature fight as “The Silverback” Seth Petruzelli (14-6) battles “The Fury” Carmello Marrero (14-5). Starting off the main card on MTV2 is a rematch that has been brewing since November 2010 when their Strikeforce bout was ruled a No Contest, as DREAM Welterweight Champion “The Whitemare” Marius Zaromskis (16-6) locks horns with Wacchiim Spiritwolf (9-9) for a second time.

Marius Zaromskis vs. Waachiim Spiritwolf:  Their first meeting may have ended in a No Contest but this time fans can expect either Spiritwolf or “The White Nightmare” to have his hand raised in victory by the end of the bout. The two knockout artists have shared their highs and lows in recent years, but all that will be put to the side in Bellator. Zaromskis, the southpaw, is known for his aggressive striking and will waste no time getting in the face of Spiritwolf. Spiritwolf on the other hand will look to drag Zaromskis into deeper waters while he picks his shots and slows down the action. Zaromskis can get a little wild in the pocket. If he gets into a heated exchange, he will drop his hands, wing punches, and leave his chin exposed. Spiritwolf has been in tight spots many times and his epic battle with “El Cucui” Jaime Jara (32-13) showed that he can fight back and come out of top by staying cool under pressure. If Zaromskis wades in on Spiritwolf and gets reckless, the Native American can really do some damage, especially late in the fight when 15 minutes of throwing leather have taken their toll. Be ready for a three-round war that will take place on the feet with few trips to the canvas. Spiritwolf is a perfect example of a modern day warrior, but Zaroskmis’ well-rounded striking game will likely allow the Lithuanian fighter cruise to a decision victory as the constant aggressor. Zaromskis via Unaniomous Decision

Seth Petruzelli vs. Carmelo Marrero: The king of upsets Seth Petruzelli returns to the cage to welcome UFC and C3 Fight veteran Carmelo Marrero to Bellator. Petruzelli is coming off a win over former UFC  heavyweight king “Suava” Ricco Rodriguez (48-18) and is looking to make it three in a row by adding submission fighter Marrero to the list. Marrero is 4-1 in his last five fights and a win over the veteran Petruzelli will not only improve his stock, it will greatly increase his chances of gaining entry into Bellator’s upcoming 205lbs. tournament. “The Fury” will have a two-inch height advantage over Petruzelli, however, “The Silverback” has handled lengthy fighters well before. Petruzelli will do what he does best and mix up his strikes, especially his versatile kicks, to gain control on the feet. Marrero should know from previous tapes that Petruzelli’s weak point is grappling, so he needs to time Petruzelli’s offense, get the takedown and work for a submission. Standing with Petruzelli is something Marrero shouldn’t try and be brave with, but Petruzelli will avoid the ground at all cost and has the advantage of each round beginning on the feet. This fight is Petruzelli’s to lose. Look for him to catch Marrero with a big shot and finish him with strikes on the ground. Petruzelli via TKO (Punches), Round 2

Marcus Galvao's (blue gloves) disciplined game plan and crisp striking should carry him to a decision win at Bellator 68. (Photo courtesy of Sherdog)

Marcos Galvao vs. Travis Marx: Journeyman Marcos Galvao is looking for a storybook ending as he enters into his second semi-final fight against Travis Marx. Both men are known for religiously adhering to their game plans till the final bell and both have shown they can keep up a strong pace even in the final round. Marx can employ his wrestling and submission game to take Galvao to his back and work on him as long as he can and steal the rounds for himself but Galvao’s striking ability is far superior. Marx isn’t afraid to exchange a few hits to land some of his own, but that could be more of a liability in this case. Marx is also the shorter of the two men, further disadvantaging him on the feet. He should enjoy an edge in sheer physical strength, but to use it he will need to get inside and wrap up Galvao. Galvao will look to mix it up, use angles, and avoid the takedown and clinch game of Marx. The Jackson’s MMA fighter Marx has excellent takedown methods and will commit to it once he executes, but Galvao has faced a higher level of competition and it isn’t likely that Marx has any tricks the Brazilian hasn’t seen. As is par for the course, Galvao will stick tight to his game plan and control the action on the feet. He may not finish his tough-as-nails opponent, but probably he won’t get stupid trying to finish a fight, either. Galvao via Split Decision

Marlon Sandro vs. Daniel Straus: These men will enter the 145lbs. finale with two things in common: both have been to the finale and came up short, and both want to erase that failure. Marlon Sandro and Daniel Straus have fought their way back into the spotlight and now only one will achieve a title shot. Sandro will finally meet his match in size as a featherweight, though Straus has nowhere near the power that Sandro wields in his fists. Straus also has a history of doing poorly against aggressive strikers, especially those with crisp, precise boxing and good footwork – like Sandro. The Brazilian has to stay in Straus’ face and pump his jab and, when Straus tries to clinch and slow things down, pop him with heavy punches to keep him in the red zone. Where things turn in Straus’ favor is in the later rounds. He is known for his endless gas tank, while Sandro tends to fade as the fight wears into the deeper waters so he will try to drag the fight to the later rounds where he will have the upper hand. Straus won’t enjoy his usual size advantage, but he can wear Sandro down by clinching him against the cage and making him work to get back to the center. After a round-and-a-half of that, Sandro’s strikes will be sluggish and Straus is in his element. This fight will be perhaps one of the most entertaining tournament finals to date, but the heavy-handed Sandro needs only a few heavy blows to undo all of the work Straus puts into scoring points with the judges. Look for Straus to dominate in the third only to lose 29-28 across the board. Sandro via Unanimous Decision