Bellator FC 24 - Information, Weigh-Ins & Event Results

[Keithlewis]

Bellator Fighting Championships today announced the completion of the Local Feature Fights for Bellator 24 taking place in Hollywood, Fla. at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on August 12th.

Joining an exciting lightweight fight between the ever-entertaining Yves Edwards and colorful, highly-regarded South Florida fan favorite Luis Palomino slated as the local main event, the promotion today confirmed four additional talent-rich fights for the Fox Sports Net event.

In a battle of Miami natives, the up-and-coming Nico Parella (2-1) will face Efrain “El Lobo” Ruiz (6-9) in a welterweight contest that will serve as the Local Co-Main Event. Both Parella and Ruiz will be hungry for a win after dropping their last respective fights which should provide fans with an explosive match-up at 170 lbs.

Hometown favorite Moyses Gabin (5-3) will take on Miami-based fighter Frank Carrillo (2-1) in a middleweight fight that is sure to bring fireworks. Both fighters have experience in the Bellator cage. In fact, this will be Gabin’s fourth appearance under the Bellator banner and second fight at The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Just two months ago at Bellator 21 Gabin won in convincing fashion with a slick Rear-Naked-Choke against Chris Boffil with just 20 seconds left in the first round. Carrillo is also coming off of a decisive victory garnered at Bellator 21 where he gained a 3rd round TKO against Sabah Homasi.

Also on the card will be Port St. Lucie, FL native Eric Luke facing off against Miami-based fighter Chino Duran in a featherweight fight.

Kicking off the night will be undefeated Orlando-based bantamweight prospect Brian Eckstein returning to the cage to take on Miami’s Tulio Quintanilla.

“Our Local Feature Fights give up-and-coming fighters a shot to perform on the big stage,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “This local talent combined with our stacked main card should provide a great night of fights.”

Bellator 24’s main card includes:

A special non-title “Super Fight” between reigning Bellator Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard (26-2-1) and former NFL standout Herbert “Whisper” Goodman (15-8);

An opening-round fight in Bellator’s Women’s World Championship Tournament featuring the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound female fighter, Megumi Fujii, and dangerous veteran Angela Magana, the world’s No. 8-ranked female fighter at 115 lbs.;

Another opening-round Women’s Tournament fight between the world’s No. 6-ranked 125-pounder, Lynn “Lights Out” Alvarez, and Florida’s Jessica Aguilar, the world’s No.7-ranked 115-pounder;

and an opening-round fight in Bellator’s Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament between heavy-handed UFC veteran Eddie Sanchez and British power-puncher Neil “Goliath” Grove.

[Keithlewis]

Bellator Fighting Championships today confirmed that Angela Magana has suffered a stress fracture to her right big toe that has subsequently forced her out of her scheduled Bellator 24 match-up with Megumi Fujii (20-0). Magana’s injury has provided an opening for undefeated Two-Time NCAA All American wrestler Carla Esparza (3-0) to step up to the challenge and face the World’s #1 female fighter at Bellator 24 in the Season 3 Women’s Tournament kicking off on August 12th at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla.

Esparza, the former two-time NCAA All American wrestler out of Menlo College in Atherton, California. A product of the highly touted Team Oyama is coming off of an impressive performance in her third professional fight against Strikeforce veteran Lacey Schuckman less than a month ago. Esparza secured a fight-ending rear-naked choke halfway through the second round.

“Angela’s unfortunate injury provides a spectacular opportunity for Carla. The two time All–American Wrestler has been working intensively with Team Oyama and now she has the opportunity to shock the world of women’s MMA.,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “I have great respect for Carla’s willingness to step up on short notice to face Megumi Fujii. She comes into this fight with a pure fighters attitude, she’s not here to survive, she’s coming here to win.

Fujii is widely regarded as the No.1 pound-for-pound female fighter in the world. She was trained in MMA by Shooto veteran Hiroyuki Abe and top heavyweight Josh Barnett and is known for her quick takedowns and skilled submissions. In fact, 16 of the 20 Japanese MMA sensation’s wins have come via submission.

However, Esparza plans on countering with her wrestling ability.

“I definitely think my wrestling is going to play a huge factor in this fight with Fujii,” said Esparza. “I don’t think she’s ever encountered a wrestler that has my striking ability. It’s not going to be a grappling match. She’s going to have to worry about my wrestling and my striking.”

“If I wasn’t in shape and ready for this fight I wouldn’t have taken it. With just three days notice I’m not going to be as prepared as I’d like to be, but I’m not going in there to survive for three rounds – I’m going in there to win.”

The two fighters join an impressive crop of female fighters competing in the Bellator Season 3 Women’s Tournament with 7-1 knockout artist Zoila Frausto, 12-5 Seattle submission specialist Lisa Ward, 7-0 Southern California striker Jessica Pene, 5-1 Las Vegas-based powerhouse Lynn “Lights Out” Alvarez, 9-0 Irish sensation Aisling Daly, and 8-4 American Top Team product Jessica Aguilar.

Additionally, in a late undercard switch up, Farakhad Sharipov (11-3) replaces Chino Duran and takes on Eric Luke in a featherweight contest.

[Keithlewis]

On the eve of Bellator Fighting Championships’ much-anticipated Season 3 debut at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the fighters competing in tomorrow’s event participated in an official weigh-in earlier this evening — all making weight.

Bellator middleweight champ Hector Lombard measured in at a few pounds heavier than opponent Herbert Goodman (6-1 in his last seven bouts). Lombard will be looking to avoid defeat for the 21st consecutive time against his 16-8 adversary. Meanwhile, undefeated submission artist Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii, who is coming off her first TKO win as well as initial victory in Bellator, registered at 115.5 pounds on the scale.

Bellator 24 will be broadcast live in prime time nationwide on Thursday (August 12th) on FOX Sports Net and during special Bellator highlight shows this Saturday night on NBC, Telemundo and Mun2.

The official results of the weigh-in are as follows:

Brian Eckstein (135 lbs) vs. Tulio Quintanilla (135.5 lbs)
Eric Luke (145 lbs) vs. Farkhard Sharipov (144 lbs)
Yves Edwards (154.5 lbs) vs. Luis Palomino (154.5 lbs)
Jessica Aguilar (113.5 lbs) vs. Lynn Alvarez (114.5 lbs)
Megumi Fujii (115.5 lbs) vs. Carla Esparza (115.25 lbs)
Eddie Sanchez (244.5 lbs) vs. Neil Grove (264.5 lbs)
Hector Lombard (185.5 lbs) vs. Herbert “Whisper” Goodman (183.5 lbs)

[Keithlewis]

Bellator FC 24 - Official Results:


Main Card:

Jessica Aguilar def. Lynn Alvarez via submission (arm-triangle choke) - Round 1, 4:01
Hector Lombard def. Herbert Goodman via knockout (punches) - Round 1, 0:38
Megumi Fujii def. Carla Esparza via submission (armbar) - Round 2, 0:57
Neil Grove def. Eddie Sanchez via TKO (referee stoppage) - Round 1, 1:32


Preliminary Card:

Frankhad Sharipov def. Eric Luke via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yves Edwards def. Luis Palomino via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Tulio Quintanilla def. Brian Eckstein via knockout (punches) – Round 3, 2:48

[Keithlewis]