Middleweight veteran Falcao aims to be ‘Bellator’s face’
UFC announces Maynard-Guida, Franklin-Le
Vasilevsky, Falcao reach Bellator middleweight semis

7:56 AM


The middleweights who were supposed to dominate did just that for Bellator Fighting Championships on Friday.

Maiquel Falcao, Vyacheslav Vasilevsky, Brian Rogers and Bruno Santos won at Bellator 61 in Bossier City, La. They advanced to the semifinals of Bellator's middleweight tournament.

Vasilevsky met expectations as a solid betting favorite against Victor O'Donnell. A combat sambo champ who tore through competitors in M-1 Global before joining Bellator,Vasilevsky won a unanimous 29-28 decision by pounding O'Donnell for the last 10 minutes of their fight.

Heavy-handed striker Falcao got off to a slow start against Paraisy. But Falcao loosened up over the course of the fight, landing several kicks to Paraisy's left leg and outstriking him at close range with punch combinations.

Rogers used a knee strike to send Vitor Vianna toppling to the mat and earn a first-round knockout. Vianna was unconscious before he hit the mat.

Judges awarded Santos a unanimous decision against Giva Santana, an armbar expert. Santos landed harder punches, thwarted most of Santana's takedown attempts and escaped two submission attempts.

The 185-pound semifinals will take place April 20 in Cleveland, Bellator said. The two men listed as the biggest favorites of the first round, Falcao and Vasilevsky, will face each other next. Bruno and Santos will square off in the other semifinal.

Middleweight veteran Falcao aims to be ‘Bellator’s face’
UFC announces Maynard-Guida, Franklin-Le