Chris Lozano Discusses Move to Jackson’s MMA, Berth in Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament

 Posted by at 4:27 PM  Bellator, MMA Gospel Exclusives, MMA Gospel Young Guns, MMA News  No Responses »
Feb 112012
 

"The Cleveland Assassin" Chris Lozano (left) will make his third run at the Bellator 170lbs. tournament starting in March, this time under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and team. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)

“The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano’s (9-2) name is back on the Bellator welterweight tournament roster with the Ohio native looking to the make the third time a charm. The now 29-year-old Lozano made his Bellator debut in September 2010 with an impressive TKO victory over Yoshiyuki Yoshida (11-6). Six months later at Bellator 35, a three-round battle in favor of former Bellator champion “Cyborg” Lyman Good (11-2) ended Lozano’s hopes of advancing in the Season 4 welterweight tourney. Lozano followed up his first professional loss with a pair of first-round stoppage victories in the regional promotion North American Allied Fight Series (NAAFS) before being asked to return to the Bellator cage. The Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Quarter-Finals in September 2011 saw the “Assassin” shut down a seasoned veteran and top prospect in Brent Weedman (18-7) and move on to the semi-finals with the hopes of winning it all; heavy-handed eventual tournament champion “The Phenom” Douglas Lima (19-4) had something different in mind, however, and handed Lozano his first and only knockout loss to date. Continue reading »
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MMA Gospel Exclusive: Chris Lozano Reloads, Prepares for Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament

 Posted by at 4:39 PM  Bellator, MMA Gospel Exclusives, MMA Gospel Young Guns, MMA News  No Responses »
Aug 282011
 

“The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano returns to the Bellator cage September 10 to take on Brent Weedman in the promotion’s Season 5 Welterweight Tournament quarter-finals. (Photo courtesy of Keith Mills)

“The Cleveland Assassin” Chris Lozano (8-1) is taking no prisoners in his quest for glory. In just over two years as a professional mixed martial artist, Lozano has already made quite a name for himself, knocking out seven of his nine opponents and not only competing in Bellator’s Season 4 Welterweight Tournament, but also in serving as the headliner of the first fight card in history to be aired on MTV2, Bellator 35. That bout saw Lozano take on the promotion’s most recent former 170lbs. champion, “Cyborg” Lyman Good (11-2), in a hard fought three-round battle that rendered “The Cleveland Assassin” on the losing end for the first time in his career. Lozano then followed up his stint in Bellator with a pair of consecutive victories in the North American Allied Fight Series promotion, after which he was invited to return to the Bellator cage for the Season 5 Welterweight Tournament. Come September 10, “The Cleveland Assassin” will step into the national spotlight yet again, this time facing off with fellow knockout artist Brent Weedman (18-6) in the Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament quarter-finals. MMA Gospel Editor-in-Chief Mallory Mejia got the opportunity to sit down with the rising star Lozano and discuss his evolving fight game, his mindset going into one of the most important match-ups of his career thus far, and what he plans on doing differently this time around. Continue reading »

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Bellator 43: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 1:36 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
May 082011
 

"The Thoroughbred" Jay Hieron (blue trunks) won a controversial Split Decision over Olympic Judoka Rick Hawn (black trunks) to become the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Champion. Next, he will face Bellator 170lbs. champ Ben Askren. (Photo courtesy of Keith Mills and Sherdog)

Last night MMA fans of Newkirk, Oklahoma witnessed a night of explosive fights and finishes, courtesy of Bellator 43. The twists and turns of the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament also came to a close, as a tourney champion was declared and dubbed the next man to take on reigning Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (8-0) for the belt.  IFL veteran “The Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (19-4) took on undefeated Judo Olympian Rick Hawn (11-1) in the main event and tournament final. Returning middleweight finalist “The Beast” Bryan Baker (12-2) teed off with UFC and Strikeforce veteran “Diesel” Joe Riggs (33-14). Former WEC Bantamweight Champion “The Rage” Chase Beebe (17-5) faced Bellator veteran Jose Vega (9-5); with a ticket into the Season 5 Bantamweight Tournament hanging in the balance only one could proceed to a shot at glory. A late main card addition in the form of a heavyweight tilt between heavy hitter “The Monster” Ron Sparks (4-0) and journeyman Vince Lucero (20-19) opened the event of the MTV2 broadcast. Continue reading »

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Looking for the Underdog: Jake Shields

 Posted by at 6:22 AM  MMA News, UFC  No Responses »
Apr 302011
 

Tonight's UFC 129 main event sees NCAA Div. II wrestler and former Strikeforce and Elite XC champ take on renowned welterweight kingpin Georges St. Pierre. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

More is on the line than the UFC welterweight title tonight at UFC 129: St. Pierre vs. Shields. The main event will be another chapter in an ages old philosophical debate akin to the combat sports version of the immovable object and the irresistible force. It is the answer to the question of who is the best fighter – the man with the longer winning streak and belts in multiple smaller promotions, or the man who has fought in the best promotion against arguably better opponents and defended his title multiple times? That answer will become glaringly apparent this evening when former top Elite XC welterweight and Strikeforce and Shooto Welterweight Champion Jake Shields (26-4) faces off against world renowned UFC Welterweight Champion “Rush” Georges St. Pierre (21-2). Continue reading »

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Bellator 44 Brings Stacked Card to Atlantic City

 Posted by at 1:42 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 282011
 

Bellator 44 delivers big names including dangerous kickboxers Alexander Shlemenko (left) and reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard (right). "The Storm" will take on Brett Cooper and "Shango" will lock horns with UFC veteran Falaniko Vitale. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

The recently announced Bellator Fighting Championships Featherweight “Summer Series” Tournament begins May 14 with perhaps their most stacked card to date. The event will take place in Atlantic City, New Jersey and also hosts a middleweight elimination match to determine who will grace the Season 5 Tournament as Bellator Season 2 Middleweight Tournament winner and title challenger “The Storm” Alexander Shlemenko (29-4) steps back into the cage against Brett Cooper (12-5). Continue reading »

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Bellator Finalizes May 7 Card; Includes Welterweight Tournament Finals

 Posted by at 3:51 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 262011
 

Judoka Rick Hawn (standing) is set to take on "The Thoroughbred" Jay Hieron in the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament finals May 7. (Photo courtesy of Henry S. Dziekan III and Getty Images)

Today Bellator Fighting Championships announced that its May 7 card, Bellator 43, in Newkirk, Oklahoma will not only host the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament finals between undefeated Judo Olympian Rick Hawn (11-0) and former International Fight League (IFL) 170lbs. champ “The Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (18-4) but also will feature a stacked night of fights leading up to the main event. Continue reading »

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Video Highlights: Bellator 40

 Posted by at 1:23 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 162011
 

Before Bellator Fighting Championships takes Arizona by storm with yet another installment of its Season 4 tournaments courtesy of Bellator 41, here’s a look at what the Chicago-based promotion offered fight fans last week.

 


(Video courtesy of Bellator) Continue reading »

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Bellator 40 Live Results

 Posted by at 7:17 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 092011
 

—MAIN CARD (MTV2)—

Main Event
Ben Askren vs. Nick Thompson: Askren via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semi-Final
Lloyd Woodard vs. Michael Chandler: Chandler via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semi-Final
Jay Hieron vs. Brent Weedman: Hieron via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), Round 3, 5:00

Continue reading »

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Bellator 39: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 3:23 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 032011
 

Patricky Freire (red/black shorts) sealed his place in the Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament finals with a second straight upset KO win, this time against submission expert Toby Imada (white shorts). (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Bellator Fighting Championships rolled into Connecticut for the first time last night, taking Uncasville’s Mohegan Sun by storm and marking Eddie Alvarez’s (19-2) first title defense against number one contender Pat Curran (12-3). Also two semi-final match ups took place in the Bellator Season 4 Tournaments. In the Welterweight Tournament, “Cyborg” Lyman Good (11-2) faced of against former Judo Olympian Rick Hawn (11-0) and in the Lightweight Tournament “Pitbull” Patricky Freire (3-0) and Toby Imada (28-16) went head-to-head for a spot in the finals. Starting off the night was a catchweight bout between UFC veteran “Killa B” Ben Saunders (10-3) and MMA journeyman Matt Lee (12-10) to mark the debut of the TUF star with the Bellator organization. The card was an overall solid offering as has come to be expected from Bellator, with a night of local feature fights packing the house for the main card that was televised nationwide on MTV2. Continue reading »

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Bellator 39 Live Results

 Posted by at 8:01 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Apr 022011
 

 

(Photo courtesy of Bellator)

—MAIN CARD (on MTV2)—

Main event – World Lightweight Title Fight
Eddie Alvarez vs. Pat Curran: Alvarez via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45), Round 5, 5:00

Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Rick Hawn vs. Lyman Good: Hawn via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27), Round 3, 5:00

Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Tournament Semi-Final Fight
Toby Imada vs. Patricky Freire: Freire via TKO (Strikes), Round 1, 2:53

Welterweight Fight:
Ben Saunders vs. Matt Lee: Saunders via TKO (Doctor’s Stoppage), Round 3. 1:24 Continue reading »

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Good vs. Hawn, Freire vs. Imada Kick Off Bellator Season 4 Tournament Semi-Finals This Saturday at Bellator 39

 Posted by at 6:39 AM  Bellator, MMA News  1 Response »
Mar 312011
 

 

While Rick Hawn (right) defeated his last opponent with his hands, Lyman Good represents a whole other level of striker. Hawn will need to rely on his Judo to win his fight at Bellator 39. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

This Saturday night Bellator Fighting Championships takes the northeastern US by storm with Bellator 39 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Headlining the event is Bellator Lightweight Champion and top five 155lbs. fighter Eddie Alvarez (19-2) putting his belt on the line for the first time against No.1 contender and Season 2 tournament winner Pat Curran (12-3). Supporting the highly electric main event though is former Bellator Welterweight Champion “Cyborg” Lyman Good (11-1) fighting former Judo Olympian Rick Hawn (10-0) in the first match of Bellator’s Season 4 Welterweight Tournament semi-finals, and “Pitbull” Patricky Freire (2-0) will go to war with two-time tournament finalist and submission wizard Toby Imada (18-15) in Bellator’s first  Season 4 Lightweight Tournament semi-final fight. All four semi-finalists have one thing in mind: a shot at the tournament finals and owning Bellator gold, and with four hungry fighters ready to go, there’s no way Bellator 39 won’t deliver. Who will advance to the next round? Let’s take a look at how this Saturday night could unfold.  Continue reading »

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Lyman Good vs. Rick Hawn Slated for Season 4 Welterweight Tournament Semi-Final Bout at Bellator 39

 Posted by at 11:36 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Mar 082011
 

Former Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman Good must face and defeat Judo aficionado Rick Hawn to earn a spot in the finals of the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Sherwood and Sherdog)

Just days after former Bellator Welterweight Champion “Cyborg” Lyman Good (11-1) and Olympian Judoka Rick Hawn (10-0) claimed decision victories over their opponents and continued on to the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament semi-finals, Bellator announced that the two victors will face each other to determine who moves on to the finals and takes on the winner of “The Thoroughbred” Jay Hieron (17-4) and (18-5) Brent Weedman. Weedman was suspended for 60 days or until he is cleared by a physician due to the cut he received on his left eyebrow in his bout with “The Handler” Dan Hornbuckle (18-4) thus the Hieron vs. Weedman bout is rumored to take place in late April or early May to provide Weedman with ample time to heal. Good and Hawn will experience no such delay though and will step in to settle their business with one another much sooner. Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez (19-2) makes his first title defense against Season 2 winner Pat Curran (12-3) as the main event of Bellator 39, where Good and Hawn will most likely serve as the co-main event. Continue reading »

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Bellator 35: The Aftermath

 Posted by at 9:17 PM  Bellator, Features, MMA News  No Responses »
Mar 072011
 

"The Thoroughbred" Jay Hieron (pictured), Rick Hawn, Brent Weedman, and Lyman Good all emerged victorious at Bellator 35 and move on to the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament semi-finals. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Bellator Fighting Championships (BFC) made its major cable network debut last Saturday on MTV2 with Bellator 35. Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino hosted the Welterweight Tournament quarter-final match-ups, a night that had three bouts that went the distance and one that seemed to be stopped prematurely due to referee miscommunication during a submission hold. The Bellator Season 4 premier was an excellent display of match making and mixed martial arts prowess overall and served well in its mission to remind MMA fans why they tune in every Saturday to see the BFC tournament contests. Continue reading »

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Spilled Bag of Fights: 17 Fights & Charlie Sheen

 Posted by at 5:37 PM  Spilled Bag of Fights  2 Responses »
Mar 072011
 

Feast or Famine. Such is life. Such is MMA. I think over the last week there were about 738 fights. UFC on Versus: Kampmann vs. Sanchez, Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson, Bellator 35 aka The Welterweight Tournament, Chicago Cagefighting Championship with lovable Twitter Smartass/Badass Felice Herrig and the venerable legend and fan favorite Jens “Lil Evil” Pulver headlining.  GASP! That’s too much, Billy!! ( From Buffalo 66 http://twitpic.com/4784p3 ) See, now you’re all in on my references. And yes, for the record, I shot that from my TV & uploaded it, just so you would get the reference. I love you that much… Well, either that or I was just procrastinating. Tomato – Tomahto.

So what do I do? Do I focus on a few key fights and ignore everything else or do quick thoughts on everything? Decisions, decisions. Damn, the new season of The Ultimate Fighter is coming up soon and I’ll have that to add to everything else to write about. I need a nap. Continue reading »

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Bellator 35 Quick Results

 Posted by at 3:52 PM  Bellator, MMA News  No Responses »
Mar 052011
 

In the Bellator 35 main event, "The Assassin" Chris Lozano (left) took on former Bellator Welterweight Champion "Cyborg" Lyman Good (right) and was defeated via Unanimous Decision. (Photo courtesy of Bellator)


—Main Card: Strikeforce Welterweight Tournament Bouts (MTV 2)—

Jim Wallhead vs. Rick Hawn: Hawn via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00 (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

Anthony Lapsely vs. Jay Hieron: Hieron via Technical Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 3:59

Chris Lozano vs. Lyman Good: Good via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00 (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Brent Weedman vs. Dan Hornbuckle: Weedman via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00 (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) Continue reading »

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