Alexander Shlemenko used a mix of punishing shots to the head and body to finish off Maiquel Falcao and claim the Bellator middleweight title in the featured attraction at Bellator 88 on Thursday night.
The event, which emanated from The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, also saw the completion of the quarterfinals of Bellator's season eight featherweight tournament. Marlon Sandro, Mike Richman, Alexandre Bezerra and Magomedrasul Khasbulaev all moved on to the semifinals with victories.
Complete results from the event are after the jump.
Bellator will crown a new middleweight champion and kick off the start of its season eight featherweight tournament during Bellator 88 this evening from Duluth, Georgia.
Alexander Shlemenko and Maiquel Falcao meet for the vacant Bellator 185 pound title and Marlon Sandro and Mike Richman will headline an eight-man field vying for a shot at the belt at 145 pounds. The show's main card will air live on Spike starting at 10 PM. You can also catch the preliminary bouts right here on MMA on Tap starting at 8 PM ET.
My predictions are after the jump.
All 18 fighters made weight for tomorrow night's Bellator 88 event, which takes place at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia.
Maiquel Falcao and Alexander Shlemenko, the last two fighters to win a middleweight tournament, will clash for the vacant Bellator middleweight title, left behind by Hector Lombard after signing with the UFC. In addition, Marlon Sandro and Mike Richman will headline an eight-man field vying for a shot at the belt at 145 pounds.
Complete weigh-in results are after the jump.
Bellator MMA announced on Monday that it will bring a middleweight title fight and the start of its season 8 featherweight tournament to The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Georgia for Bellator 88 on February 7.
Vying for the promotion's vacant middleweight belt will be perennial contender Alexander Shlemenko and one-time UFC veteran and season six tourney winner Maiquel Falcao.
The event's main card will air starting at 10 PM ET on Spike while the preliminary portion of bouts will stream live on Spike.com starting at 8 PM ET.