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Bellator Fighting Championships' latest signings add international flavor
The ESPN Deportes-backed Bellator Fighting Championships has signed four additional fighters (from four different countries) for its quickly expanding roster.
The latest round of signings includes Spanish middleweight Daniel Tabera, Mexican featherweight Yahir Reyes, American lightweight Toby Imada and Canadian featherweight Ben Greer.
Each of the four competitors will compete in his respective division's 12-week, eight-man tournament, which could earn each winner $250,000.
"Daniel, Yahir, Toby and Ben not only each bring a unique style and skill set into the cage, but they come from different parts of the world," Bellatoe CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. "They represent the top talent of their respective native countries, and any one of them could make a strong run for our title."
Tabera (12-1-3), a longtime M-1 fighter who's competed primarily in Europe, closed out a solid 2008 campaign with a 4-1-1 record. With a strong background in boxing, "Maximo el Gladiador" became the first Spanish MMA fighter to win in the U.S. when he defeated Ron Faircloth via unanimous decision in 2005.
Reyes (12-5) is a Mexican-born fighter and veteran of the country's MMA Xtreme organization, where he holds the promotion's featherweight title. Reyes has has won nine of his past 10 fights (nine via stoppage).
Imada (20-11), a Californian and Total Combat veteran, will go for his seventh straight victory when he makes his Bellator debut. The Judo black belt makes the drop from welterweight to lightweight and has recently defeated the likes of UFC veteran Zach Light and Randy Velarde.
Greer (11-4), who's recently competed for the TKO organization is his native Canada, went undefeated (9-0) from July 2004 to September 2007. Eight of his 11 career victories have come via stoppage. The former Douglas College wrestler has trained under the likes of UFC fighter Denis Kang.
The latest additions join other Bellator signees such as Eddie Alvarez, Jorge Masvidal, Wilson Reis, Hector Lombard and Lyman Good.
Bellator will air in two-hour timeslots on each Saturday night on ESPN Deportes. The shows air on a one-day tape delay; the actual events will take place in casinos and arenas around the U.S. in front of live crowds on Friday nights.
The organization is expected to release its full fight calendar in the coming weeks.
Location: TBA
Venue: TBA
Broadcast: ESPN Deportes
* The show will feature 12 two-hour weekly episodes (airing Saturday nights).
* Eight-man tournaments will be held in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions.
* Non-tournament feature bouts will also take place.
* Confirmed participants:
o Featherweight: Ben Greer, Nick Gonzalez, Wilson Reis, Yahir Reyes and Joe Soto
o Lightweight: Eddie Alvarez, Diego Garijo, Toby Imada, Jorge Masvidal and Thomas Shulte
o Welterweight: Kyman Good
o Middleweight: Edwin Aguilar, Hector Lombard and Daniel Tabera
http://mmajunkie.com/news/13970/bellator-fighting-championships-latest-signings-add-international-flavor.mma
http://www.bellator.com/
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