Ben Saunders, Brian Foster Draw Undefeated Opponents For Bellator 170-Pound Tourney

by Josh Nason on Feb 7, 2012 9:00 AM EST in Bellator News

Brian Foster (right) makes his Bellator debut on March 30 against undefeated David Rickels.

Bellator Fighting Championships returns to Connecticut's Mohegan Sun on Friday, March 30, with the opening round of their welterweight tournament, one that features two former UFC fighters mixed with some undefeated prospects that want to make a name for themselves at their expense.

Karl Amoussou (13-4-2) vs. Chris Lozano (9-2)

Former middleweight Amoussou has lacked consistency in the last two years, amassing a 2-2-1 record in Bellator, Strikeforce, Pancrase and Dream. He now drops to 170 pounds and his November 175-pound Bellator catchweight fight against Jesus Martinez turned out just fine with a first round KO victory.

He'll face Lozano, a late sub for the soon-to-be imprisoned War Machine. Lozano entered last year's tourney and was knocked out in the second round by eventual tournament winner Douglas Lima. He was 3-2 overall in 2011 with both losses coming in the Bellator cage.

Ben Saunders (12-4-2) vs. Raul Amaya (9-0)

Saunders' dream run in his debut Bellator tournament ended in the finals with a second round knockout loss to Lima. The UFC veteran is 4-1 since getting released by Zuffa in 2010 with finishes in all four of his wins. He will face promotional newcomer Amaya who has rung up an undefeated streak in Florida's Art Of Fighting promotion with six submissions and three T/KO's.

Brian Foster (18-5) vs. David Rickels (9-0)

Foster makes his Bellator debut on the heels of a four fight win streak. Released from the UFC after health issues threatened his career, the 27-year-old has finishes in all of his wins and has never gone to a decision. He'll have a tough challenge in the undefeated Rickels, a fixture on Bellator undercards for most of 2011. The submission machine has six tapout wins to his credit with three of his last four coming by triangle choke.

Bryan Baker (16-3) vs. Carlos Pereira (33-9-1)

Like Amoussou, Baker is dropping down to 170 pounds after getting TKO'd by Vitor Vianna last October, snapping a three fight win streak. A promotional fixture since 2009, Baker is 7-2 in his Bellator career and is a former middleweight tournament finalist. He faces the debuting Pereira, a well-traveled veteran who is unbeaten in his last four. Baker should be wary as "Indio" has 22 wins by T/KO.

The event -- entitled Bellator 63 -- will air at 8 PM EST on MTV2. Look for more Bellator-related Season Six news after the jump.

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too bad they're not giving Hieron

a rematch at Askren

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by Nate Wilcox on Feb 7, 2012 9:12 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

That would be a great rematch, and Bellator isn’t in a position where they should be declining to make great rematches just for the sake of following their tournament format.

by MichaelDavidSmith on Feb 7, 2012 9:24 AM EST up reply actions

Agreed they're at a point where their policy of title shots "earned not given" is hurting their ability to put on fights that make sense.

It worked out great at first but their belts aren’t active enough. They should keep up with the tournament format but it shouldn’t be the unique way to design a contender.

BECW season 2 member of the Intellegent Northern English Picking Team.
Draft number: 72.

by Sweet Scientist on Feb 7, 2012 10:02 AM EST up reply actions

I like the tournament format in theory

But in practice it sometimes works the exact opposite way of what’s intended, by preventing the best fighters from fighting each other because they have to sit around and wait for the next tournament to end. The point of a tournament is to keep good fighters active and make sure the best of the bunch end up fighting each other. In Bellator, we’re seeing the best of the bunch sitting on the sidelines far too often.

by MichaelDavidSmith on Feb 7, 2012 10:33 AM EST up reply actions

Totally agreed.

BECW season 2 member of the Intellegent Northern English Picking Team.
Draft number: 72.

by Sweet Scientist on Feb 7, 2012 10:49 AM EST up reply actions

I wonder if they can do two four-man tournaments instead of one big eight man tournament, or just something that keeps the tournament format, but tweaked a little.

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by chrisbboy82 on Feb 7, 2012 10:54 AM EST up reply actions

WAR KillaB!

with fiery Dornish peppers

by Psychic Octopus on Feb 7, 2012 9:41 AM EST reply actions

War Ben Saunders.

A writer looking for a new home.
Part of Team Luke Thomas' Beard (LTB)
The 209: Where we don't fight unless there's five guys on one, run away from the media, cry like babies when we lose decisions, and get finished by convicted sex offenders. Follow @TheCynicsCorner

by MicahtheCynic on Feb 7, 2012 9:41 AM EST reply actions

Any reason Foster didn't go back to the UFC after his tune up fights?

Maybe I missed it.

by HeadKickLegSweep on Feb 7, 2012 9:51 AM EST reply actions

Testicle got crushed.

Conductor of the Trainyard Sleepers! WHOO WHOOOOOO!

by Paulo Filho's Psychiatrist on Feb 7, 2012 10:03 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

He’s obviously still fighting though, so that’s not the reason. He was on a 2 fight win streak in the UFC before the injury and finished both fights. It’s odd that they wouldn’t want him back, and if they did it’s odd he wouldn’t take the offer.

I would have a horseshoe surgically implanted in my ass just so Brock would pull it out and beat me over the head with it while I pleasure myself.

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Daniel James Miller Foundation and donate.

by Machiel Van on Feb 7, 2012 12:30 PM EST up reply actions