Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren will look to keep his undefeated record intact when he defends his title against No. 1 contender Douglas Lima on Friday, April 6th, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, in the main event of Bellator 64.
The Lima fight will be Askren’s second defense of the gold he won in October 2010. His first defense was a year later, a controversial split decision over Jay Hieron that had this writer asking for a rematch. Due to the promotional rules however, only tournament winners can earn title shots and interestingly enough, HIeron is not in this latest tourney field.
After a 3-0 record in the regional scene, Askren (9-0, 6-0 Bellator) debuted in Bjorn Rebney’s promotion and has been there ever since.
The two time NCAA Division I wrestling champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestler will have a stiff test in the 24-year-old Lima, who earned his shot with a second round KO of Ben Saunders in the recent 170-pound tourney finale. Lima (21-4, 3-0 Bellator) has finishes in 18 of his victories with 11 submissions and seven T/KOs. He’ll carry a nine fight win streak into the title match.
The undercard will feature former WEC fighter Chris Horodecki vs. the dreaded ‘opponent to be named later’ and the semifinals of the season six featherweight tournament that opens up on March 9th. Some combo of Marlon Sandro, Ronnie Mann, Roberto Vargas, Wagnney Fabiano, Daniel Straus, Alexandre Bezerra, Jeremy Spoon and Genair da Silva will tangle for the opportunity to fight in the finals.
The event airs at 8 PM EST on MTV2.
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