Shlemenko and Halsey top the bill at Bellator 126, as the promotion comes to Phoenix, Arizona on September 26th
by Andreas Georgiou - @AGeorgiouMMA
Bellator MMA are set to invade Phoenix, Arizona as Alexander Shlemenko defends his Middleweight title against Brandon Halsey at Bellator 126 on September 26th from Grand Canyon University Arena.
Shlemenko returns to his natural weight class of Middleweight, after a brief stint at 205lbs where he lost to Tito Ortiz at Bellator 120. Dropping back down to where he holds the belt, the division he has dominated, amassing a 50-8 career record, including 29 career knockouts.
The Russian native will now face the winner of last season's Middleweight Tournament Brandon Halsey, who enters the fight with a immaculate record of 7-0. His victorious include the likes of Brett Cooper, Joe Pacheco and Joe Yager.
Also featured is the $100k Lightweight Tournament Final between Patricky Pitbull and Marcin Held. Patricky's road to the final, included dominating performances over David Rickels and Derek Campos.
Held is currently riding an impressive four-fight win streak with victories over Derek Anderson, Rodrigo Cavalheiro and Nate Jolly. The 22-year-old Polish phenom has moved his training camp to the United States in an effort to take his skills to the next level.
“I’m very excited for this fight, it’s been a long time coming and I’m ready to finally face Pitbull,” Held said. “I’m training at one of the best gyms in the world with Duke Roufus and Roufusport, and my sparring partners have really elevated my game.
Even with my standup improving, my style isn’t going to change, I’m always going to look for the finish, but now I’m even more dangerous on my feet.”
Widely touted as of the MMA's top prospects, Bubba Jenkins will face promotional new boy Alejandro Villalobos in a featherweight feature fight. Known simply as “The Highlight Kid”, Jenkins has collected six out of seven in professional competition.
The Bantamweights will also feature as Ed “Wild” West makes his first appearance in over a year to take on Mike Richman; who is dropping down to 135 lbs. Two long time Bellator veterans, the two finishers are looking to make their mark in the division and are both closing in on title contention.
"The weight cut and training are going great,” Richman said. “I'm fired up to get back in the Bellator cage and throw some thunda’ at bantamweight and begin my title run."
MAIN CARD:
Middleweight World Title Fight: Alexander Shlemenko (50-8) vs. Brandon Halsey (7-0)
Lightweight Tournament Final: Patricky Pitbull (13-5) vs. Marcin Held (19-3)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Alejandro Villalobos (17-3) vs. Bubba Jenkins (6-1)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Mike Richman (15-6) vs. Ed West (18-8)
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