Headlining BFC 62 will be the long-awaited Season 5 heavyweight tournament finals between Eric Pridle and Thiago Santos. The two had already fought once before in a bout that ended in a “no contest” at BFC 59 due to an unfortunate low blow by Santos. They were finally set to settle the score last week in Bossier City, LA (BFC 61) but the bout was nixed at the last possible moment when Pridle came down with the flu. Now both men are finally ready to get it on in South Texas for the $100,000 tournament prize and a shot at current BFC heavyweight champ Cole Konrad.
Also featured on the main draw is season 6 of the Bellator lightweight tournament. As usual, eight combatants are set to compete in opening round bouts in Laredo. This season should be a hotly-contested one with guys like exciting fighters like Team Nogueira’s Patricky “Pitbull” Freire, judo ace Rick Hawn, and Muay Thai specialist J.J. Ambrose all in the field and looking for a $100,000 prize and title shot of their own.
Speaking of which, those loyal to following TEXAS MMA specifically in addition to the national scene should definitely tune in to watch the prelims as we (Texas) have some top tier talent being featured on this card from the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
To begin, Laredo’s own Sonny Luque Trad will be making his Bellator debut in front of his hometown against fellow RGV native Luis Vega. Sonny hasn’t fought since a win over Elias Marks back in December of 2010 while the streaking Vega does have 6 wins in a row to his credit including a victory over fellow RGV instructor Johnny Garcia at STFC 19 earlier this month so it should be interesting to see whether Luis can continue the streak or fall prey to an upset-minded Trad in this one.
Next up is Imperial fighter “Sir” Douglas Frey who’ll be following his stablemate Jason Sampson into Bellator after his win in Bossier City against Jeremy Myers last weekend. Frey already has one win in Bellator under his belt as well from way back in May 2010 against Aaron Wise but he’ll be looking to bring that streak up to two here. In order to get his second win in a row, Douglas will have to earn it against maybe his most notable opponent yet in Rad Martinez. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because Rad was previously featured on ESPN’s Outside the Lines in “The Promise,” a video talking about the sacrifices he’s made to take care of his brother while trying to make it in the tough sport of Mixed Martial Arts.
A few other fighters from the Dallas-Forth Worth Metroplex join Douglas Frey on the undercard.
Looking for his second win in a row after besting Derick Krantz this past December, “Black Magik” Sean Spencer will be looking takes on South Texan Joseph Daily. Meanwhile, XKO champ and Legacy FC veteran Steven Peterson will be taking on streaking “Lionheart” Chris Jones, also an XKO veteran. This bout should be telling for the futures of both men as “Ocho” Peterson enters this bout with 4-fight unbeaten streak while Jones hasn’t lose in his last five fights as well. Rounding out the Texas contingent is 1-2 Oscar de la Parra, who’ll be taking on Florifian striker Cosmo Alexandre. A lightweight tilt between Oregonian Dave Jansen and Maryland’s Jacob Kirwan completes the card.
Bellator 62 is set to air live with prelims set to begin airing on Spike.com around 6PM and the main card continuing both online and on MTV2 starting promptly at 7PM, all Texas Time. After the main card is over, make sure to tune back into Spike.com for the conclusion of the prelims after the televised card.
Bellator 62 – Main Card (MTV2 / EPIX)
Heavyweight Tournament Final: Eric Prindle vs. Thiago Santos
155 lbs.: Patricky Freire vs. Lloyd Woodard (tournament opening round)
155 lbs.: Rick Hawn vs. Ricardo Tirloni (tournament opening round)
155 lbs.: J.J. Ambrose vs. Brent Weedman (tournament opening round)
155 lbs.: Thiago Michel Pereira Silva vs. Rene Nazare (tournament opening round)
Bellator 62 – Preliminary Card (SPIKE.COM)
155 lbs.: Sonny Luque vs. Luis Vega
145 lbs.: Douglas Frey vs. Rad Martinez
155 lbs.: Cosmo Alexander vs. Oscar de la Parra
170 lbs.: Joseph Daily vs. Sean Spencer
145 lbs.: Steven Peterson vs. Chris Jones
155 lbs.: Dave Jansen vs. Jacob Kirwan
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