Video of the Day - Shlemenko v Minowaman

Here is Alexander Shlemenko fighting Ikuhisa "Minowaman" Minowa at Super Fight League 2 which took place on 4/7/12 in the T-Box Mobile Arena, Chandigarh, India.

Shlemenko (50-7, 11-1 BFC) will next move up from 185 pounds to fight at 205 against Tito Ortiz (16-11, 0-0 BFC) in the Bellator's first PPV. I expect Shlemenko to try to attack with kicks to the body and legs early and often. Tito should try to use his size advantage to try for a takedown or grind Shlemenko against the fence.


(Shlemenko landing a vicious body kick)

Video of the Day - Hose v. Marshall

Here is Doug "The Rhino" Marshall fighting Kala "Kolohe" Hose at Bellator 82 which took place on November 30, 2012 in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.

Marshall next fights against Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator 109.

Shlemenko v. Balschmieter

Here is Alexander Shlemenko fighting Andre Balschmieter at the Bratsk Combat Sport Festival which took place in Russia on 2/24/07. The match was conducted under odd rules with a standing 8 count which is uncommon for a fight after 2002.

Alexander will be fighting Brian Rogers at Bellator 54 in the semifinals of the middleweight tournament.

Bellator 54 will take place in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Boardwalk Hall and will be broadcast on MTV2, Epix and Spike.com.

MTV 2 Card

Brian Rogers v. Alexander Shlemenko - MW GP
Bryan Baker v. Vitor Vianna - MW GP
Zach Makovsky v. Ryan Roberts
Jacob Kirwan v. Rene Nazare

Spike.com Card

Duane Bastress v. Daniel Gracie
Karl Amoussou v. Joey Kirwan
Tim Carpenter v. Ryan Contaldi
Andria Caplan v. Adrienne Seiber
Brian Kelleher v. Claudio Ledesma

Bellator Tournament Progression

Bellator Fighting Championship recently wrapped another show with their first venture into Kansas City. The first round of the middleweight bracket was decided, with four action packed bouts.

Interesting Russian prospect Alexander Shlemenko (28-4) dominated Tapout Show veteran Matt Major for three rounds of action. The Russian used a wide array of spinning attacks that pleased the crowd. Bellator season 1 runner-up Jared Hess (11-1) made quick work of former IFL champ Ryan McGivern, winning on a guillotine choke.

To round out the bracket, Bryan Baker (12-1) made quick work of Sean Loeffler, taking him down and pounding him out in the first round. Eric Schambari (12-1) also won in the first round, choking out TUF 7 veteran Luke Zacharich with an arm triangle.

Middleweight Final 4 Match-ups:

Bryan Baker (12-1) v. Eric Schambari (12-1)
Alexander Shlemenko (28-4) v. Jared Hess (11-1)

(Bryan Baker pictured)

Welterweight Final 4 Match-ups:

Ben Askren (4-0) v. Ryan Thomas (11-4)
Dan Hornbuckle (20-2) v. Steve Carl (10-1)

(Dan Hornbuckle KO of Gono pictured)

Lightweight Final 4 Match-ups:

Pat Curran (10-3) v. Roger Huerta (21-3)
Toby Imada (24-13) v. Carey Vanier (8-2)

(Roger Huerta pictured)

Featherweight Final 4 Match-ups:

Wilson Reis (10-1) v. Pitbull Freire (13-0)
Joe Warren (3-1) v. Georgi Karakhanyan (13-1)

(Pitbull Freire pictured)