From the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas, Bellator 113 launches tonight on Spike TV. Atop the card, official light-heavyweight champion Attila Vegh seeks outright finality in a long-awaited rematch with interim champ Emanuel Newton. The pair first met up at Bellator 72 in July of 2012, and the tournament semifinal match ended in a controversial split decision for Vegh, though many felt that Newton was deserving of the nod.
The disappointing loss is Newton’s only in his last eleven turns; wins among that streak include both a surprising knockout and a convincing decision over Muhammed Lawal in addition to notables like Ilir Latifi, James McSweeney and Mikhail Zayats. Vegh has remained unbeaten since a 2010 loss to Simon Carlsen and a 2011 draw with new UFC acquisition Hans Stringer, piecing together a nine-fight streak and snaring the Bellator 205-pound crown in the process.
The rest of the main card is dedicated to the opening, quarterfinal round of the Season 10 Lightweight Tournament to determine the next challenger for the winner of the upcoming Eddie Alvarez vs. Michael Chandler clash, the highlight of which is a collision between fierce gamers Patricky Freire and David Rickels. The other lightweight bouts include Polish submission specialist Marcin Held against Bellator newcomer Rodrigo Cavalheiro, promising youngster Derek Campos, who’s dropped down from welterweight for the tourney, against Fight Master cast member Tim Welch and, captaining the preliminary card, Derek Anderson, who’s fresh off an upset of Freire, taking on Brandon Girtz.
The featured card kicks off on Spike TV at 9:00 p.m. ET and the preliminary card will stream live on Bloody Elbow and Spike.com at approximately 6:45 p.m. ET.
Bellator 113: Vegh vs. Newton
Main Card
(9:00 p.m. ET on Spike)
Attila Vegh vs. Emanuel Newton — Bellator Light-Heavyweight championship unification
Patricky Freire vs. David Rickels — Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal
Rodrigo Cavalheiro vs. Marcin Held — Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal
Derek Campos vs. Tim Welch — Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal
Preliminary Card
(streaming on Bloody Elbow and Spike.com at approx. 6:45 p.m. ET)
Derek Anderson vs. Brandon Girtz — Lightweight Tournament quarterfinal
Bobby Cooper vs. Marcio Navarro
Donnie Bell vs. Eric Wisely
Taurean Bogguess vs. L.C. Davis
Brian Rogers vs. Gary Tapusoa
Daniel Gallemore vs. Maurice Jackson
Cody Carrillo vs. Israel Giron
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