Bellator/Orthus- Bellator 97 Undercard Press Conference Coverage & Video
On Wednesday July 9 at the Crowne Plaza in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Orthus Promotions in conjunction with Bellator MMA held a press conference to announce the 9 bout undercard for Bellator 97. Bellator 97 takes place on Wednesday July 31, at the Santa Anna Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
The Summer Series Bantamweight tournament had been reportedly taken off the 2013 Summer Series pocket but, that is not the case as Frank Baca (16-2) of Fit NHB will meet Anthony Leone (12-5) of Team BombSquad in one semi final, while Rodrigo Lima (11-1) squares off with Rafael Silva (19-3)in the other.
Coming off his first pro loss at Bellator 91 Will Brooks (9-1) looks to get back in the win column against Chis Leyva (9-5), who is looking to halt a 4 fight skid.
Former King of the Cage champion Donald Sanchez (28-13) will step into the Bellator battle grounds for the second time riding a 3 fight winning streak, meeting Cliff Wright (7-4); who is 1-2 in Bellator losing two decisions while submitting Bobby Reardanz for his win in that span.
Coming off a Submission win at Triple A MMA “Win To Get In” Felipe “Flip” Chavez (6-3) of Mean 1 MMA & Fitness will test his skills against former training partner Adrian “Killa” Cruz (4-0) of Judgment MMA, who is coming off a submission win over Nick Gonzalez at Bellator 91.
The highly anticipated Bellator debut of Bubba Jenkins (3-0), will see the prospect take on 11 fight MMA vet Mike Barreras (5-6) of Lovato Total Fitness.
Young Bantamweights go head to head as Mean 1 MMA & Fitness’s Steve “Mean Machine” Garcia (1-0) faces Shawn Bunch (1-0). One man will leave undefeated no loner when Javier Palacios (1-0) takes on Richard Jacques (1-0).
Coming off a win submission win over Chidi Njokuani, which brought his current win streak to 5; Jeremy Kimball (9-3) will make his Bellator debut against Keith Berry (15-1); who is on a 4 fight winning streak.
It has also been announced that MMA Superstar Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (32-11) will be on hand and doing a special meet and greet at Bellator (&. Bellator Featherweight champion Pat “Paddy Mike” Curran (19-4) is also expected to be in attendance for July 31st event.
Bellator 97 is headlined by 2 title bouts with Dave Rickles challenging Michael Chandler for the Bellator Lightweight title and Andrey Koreshkov challenges Ben Askren for the Bellator Welterweight title.
There are more pictures from the press conference, check them out at the Caged Minds Combat Sports News page on facebook; while your their like the page too.