Bellator's Open Tryout Yields Lightweight Prospect Troy Gerhart

Two weeks out from the promotion's first live show and next-day ESPN Deportes debut, Bellator Fighting Championships held open tryouts at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida. The March 17th workout yielded at least one promising fighter: Troy Gerhart, a powerful wrestler and XFC veteran (see video above) who is currently undefeated as a pro at 4-0, with all four wins coming by TKO and three of four coming inside two minutes.

More straight from the horse's mouth:

Of the numerous fighters who participated, Troy Gerhart’s performance earned him a spot as a featured fighter in Bellator’s Lightweight (155 lbs.) division.  He was the only fighter among the highly-talented group selected. Gerhart will not be participating in Bellator’s 155 lbs. tournament, but will be featured in a 155 lbs. bout in the coming weeks as part of the Bellator series.  Gerhart, who trains out of Gracie Tampa, holds a 4-0 record as a professional with all 4 wins coming by KO or TKO.  He has a strong wrestling background and has been training alongside UFC veterans Matt Arroyo and Corey Hill at Gracie Tampa Academy.

"Troy is an extremely explosive wrestler with great technical grappling, and his record shows that he has very heavy hands," said Matt Stansell, Matchmaker/Executive Director of Fighter Development for Bellator Fighting Championships.  "We are excited to give him a chance to show what he can do in Bellator’s Lightweight division."

Rumored fight cards for Bellator's first two shows after the jump.

Bellator Fighting Championships #1
April 3, 2009 (airs April 4 on ESPN Deportes)
Seminole Hard Rock & Casino
Hollywood, Florida, USA

Lightweight Tournament Bouts

Eddie Alvarez (15-2) vs. TBA
Daniel Morales (5-1) vs. TBA
Jorge Masvidal (16-3) vs. TBA
Israel Giron (7-1) vs. Toby Imada (20-11)

Featherweight Tournament Bouts

Nick Gonzalez (14-6) vs. Yahir Reyes (12-5)
Joe Soto (4-0) vs. Ben Greer (11-4)
Estevan Payan  (6-1) vs. Luis Palomino (9-4)

Womens Bout

Rosi Sexton (9-1) vs. Jessica Aguilar (5-2)

Non-Tournament Featherweight Bout

Jonathan Brookins (8-3) vs. Stephen Ledbetter (6-2)

Bellator Fighting Championships #2
April 10, 2009 (airs April 11 on ESPN Deportes)
Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino
Uncasville, Connecticut, USA

Featherweight Tournament Bout

Wilson Reis (6-0) vs. Henry Martinez (2-0)

Lightweight Tournament Bout

Thomas Schulte (18-6) vs. Ivan Iberico (7-1)
Diego Garijo (3-1) vs. TBA

Welterweight Tournament Bouts

Lyman Good (7-0) vs. Hector Urbina (12-4)
Jorge Ortiz (15-4) vs. Aaron Romero (5-2)
Dave Menne (42-15-2) vs. Norman Paraisy (5-0)
Omar De La Cruz (3-1) vs. Victor Meza (9-0)

Bellator Fighting Championships #3
April 17, 2009 (airs April 18 on ESPN Deportes)
Lloyd Noble Center
Norman, Oklahoma, USA

Middleweight Tournament Bout

Hector Lombard (18-2-1) vs. Virgil Lozano (6-1-1)