Oropeza vs. Koreshkov Finalizes Bellator 118 From Atlantic Ctiy’s Revel
Newport Beach, Calif. (April 7, 2014) – Bellator MMA returns to Atlantic City’s Revel on Friday, May 2nd live on Spike TV as “The Baddest Man On The Planet” Joe Warren will look to reclaim a Bellator Title when he battles reigning Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas. The night will also feature the New Jersey return of Sam Oropeza, as he meets Russian phenom Andrey Koreshkov in the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals.
Originally scheduled to face Koreshkov in Reno on April 4th, Oropeza was given the news that Koreshkov was dealing with flu-like symptoms and his fight would be rescheduled. It was a true blessing in disguise for the Philadelphia native, as “Sammy O” will now face Koreshkov from Atlantic City’s Revel on May 2nd.
“I always say things happen for a reason, and this is one of those moments where everything is coming together,” Oropeza said. “It was frustrating to hear the fight got pushed back after training so hard for this semifinal fight, but when we heard I’d be fighting back in Revel so close to friends and family, things really couldn’t have worked out better. Bellator has taken great care of me, and I can’t wait to put on a show on May 2ndand move onto the finals of this tournament.”
The event will broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m. CST on Spike TV. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com beginning at 7 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. CST. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased on Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.
New Jersey native Kevin Roddy will kick off the Spike.com portion of the night against Amran Aliyev. With11 submission victories, Roddy is going to look to his ground game to get the victory, but will have to hold off Aliyev who has recorded all finish victories.
After defeating Kenny Foster in his Bellator debut at Bellator 108, Anthony Morrison returns to the cage to fight Julian Lane. Morrison enters the fight riding a two-fight win streak and has won 13 of his 14 professional victories by KO or submission.
At only 21-years-old, Sidney Outlaw steps into the Bellator cage and will face Mike Bannon in a lightweight battle. Looking to maintain his undefeated professional record, Bannon is looking for the finish and is ready to put on an exciting fight for the Revel fans.
After grabbing a submission victory in his professional debut, John Fain will put his skills to the test against Pat Bennett on May 2nd. Both stepping under the bright lights of Bellator for the first time, Bennett is has grabbed two of his four professional victories by first round KO and plans on recording another knockout against Fain.
New Jersey native Lester Caslow returns to the Bellator cage to fight Jay Haas in a featherweight bout. Caslow has on three of his previous four victories, but will have to hold off Hass who has won 10 of his 11 victories by knockout or submission.
At 4-0 Darrion Caldwell is looking to maintain his undefeated career in a battle against Joe Pingitore. After grabbing a submission victory in less than 50 seconds against Lance Surma at Bellator 112, Caldwell is looking to finish his fight with Pingitore just as quick.
Making his Bellator debut, Tim Woods will fight Dante Rivera. Woods has won all of his victories by KO or submission, but will need to stop Rivera who enters the cage on a two-fight win streak.
No stranger to the Bellator card, Jesus Martinez will round of the preliminary card. Known for his quick finishes, Martinez has won four victories by first round finish.
MAIN CARD:
Bellator Bantamweight World Title Fight: Eduardo Dantas (16-3) vs. Joe Warren (10-3)
Bellator Welterweight Tournament Semifinals: Andrey Koreshkov (15-1) vs. Sam Oropeza (11-2)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Marcos Galvao (15-6-1) vs. Thomas Vasquez (7-0)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary (6-0) vs. Mike Mucitelli (6-0)
PRELIMINARY CARD:
Welterweight Feature Fight: Tim Woods (6-4) vs. Dante Rivera (15-7)
Welterweight Feature Fight: Jesus Martinez (8-5) vs. Ryan Contaldi (7-7)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Joe Pingitore (4-1-1) vs. Darrion Caldwell (4-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Jay Haas (11-13) vs. Lester Caslow (11-9)
Catchweight Feature Fight (151lbs): Julian Lane (6-3-1) vs. Anthony Morrison (18-10)
Heavyweight Feature Fight: Pat Bennett (4-3) vs. John Fain (1-0)
Lightweight Feature Fight: Mike Bannon (5-1) vs. Sidney Outlaw (2-0)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Amran Aliyev (3-2) vs. Kevin Roddy (13-15-1)
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