This weekend starts the fifth season of Bellator and I could not be more excited. The promotion will begin by featuring a welterweight tournament that is stacked compared to the last two. Including fights with former MFC 170 lbs. champion Douglas Lima and UFC vet Ben Saunders. This year is going to be one of the toughest to win and let’s take a look at the quarterfinal draw.
Douglas Lima vs. Steve Carl
Lima is making his Bellator debut after capturing and defending the MFC welterweight title. He is currently one of the best 170 lbs. fighters not under the Zuffa banner. Steve Carl returns for his second WW GP after losing in the semi finals to Dan Hornbuckle in last one. He currently has a 2-1 record in BFC.
If Carl was matched up with any other member of this tournament I would probably pick him for the upset. Unfortunately he must face the most skilled man without a title in Bellator and that’s why his tournament hopes will end quickly.
Prediction: Douglas Lima
Dan Hornbuckle vs. Luis Santos
This is Hornbuckle’s third try in the BFC WW tournament. He made it to the finals in the second tourney but lost to Ben Askren. He currently holds a 3-2 record with the promotion. Luis “Sapo” Santos enters this GP with a 1-0 record in Bellator and over 50 other fights under his belt.
These two fighters have fought all over the world and combine for over 80 fights between them. That makes it a very difficult fight to call but I am going to go with Hornbuckle based on the fact that he has fought and defeated some tougher opponents in the past. This fight should go the distance and be very close.
Prediction: Dan Hornbuckle
Ben Saunders vs. Chris Cisneros
Saunders makes his BFC GP debut after defeating Matt Lee in his first fight with the promotion. He has fought tough opponents during his UFC career and should be one of the favorites to win this tournament. Cisneros is an injury replacement for Rick Hawn and is making his BFC debut. He currently holds at 13-3 record with wins over Gabe Rivas and Marlon Sims.
Saunders received one of the easiest matchups in all of the tournaments this season. Cisneros will give his all but Saunders should be able to walk away unharmed and advance to the next round.
Prediction: Ben Saunders.
Brent Weedman vs. Chris Lozano
Weedman returns to the BFC with a 4-1 record in the promotion. He surprised everyone in last years GP with his win over Dan Hornbuckle and he also holds a win over Douglas Lima. Lozano enters with a 1-1 record in Bellator but comes in to this fight on a two fight winning streak. He lost in the quarterfinals to former champ Lyman Good last year.
Weedman has been a pleasant surprise for BFC. He fought 3 times for the promotion before they decided to bump him up to the GP and he has shown why he deserves it. I expect him to out point Chris Lozano and move on to the next round.
Prediction: Brent Weedman
Opening Fights
Brylan Van Artsdalen vs. Joel Roberts – BVA by Submission.
Azunna Anyanwu vs. J.A. Dudley – Dudley by Decision
Giedrius Karavackas vs. LeVon Maynard – Maynard by KO.
Kenny Foster vs. Andy Main – Andy Main by Decision.
Alexandre Bezerra vs. Scott Heckman – Popo Bezzerra by Submission
