A victorious Wiuff (photo courtesy Bellator)

Brett Rogers Stops Kevin Asplund

By FCF Staff

Travis Wiuff, Attila Vegh, Emanuel Newton and Tim Carpenter advanced to the semifinals of Bellator’s latest light-heavyweight tourney tonight in Chester, W.V., as each man scored stoppage wins.

“Tonight at Mountaineer Casino was a perfect way to kick off our Light Heavyweight Summer Series Tournament,” Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “Travis Wiuff continues his impressive march through Bellator, while Attila Vegh showed why he is considered one of the best young fighters in the world. Emanuel Newton was incredibly impressive in his Bellator debut, and Tim Carpenter put up a great performance after becoming a tournament participant just days ago.”

“I’m ready to go. I want that belt,” Travis Wiuff was quoted saying. “Christian (M’Pumbu), I’m coming for that belt.”

“These guys can’t handle my pressure. These guys can’t handle a nose bleed, how can they stop me?” added Wiuff, who scored a UD win over M’Pumbu last October in a non-title bout.

“It was hard for me to get my rhythm going because Zelg came out very fast and aggressive,” said Attila Vegh. “Right now I’m thinking about the whole tournament and who my next opponent will be. That’s what I’m focused on.”

“This is so huge for me,” the former MFC champion Newton noted. “I didn’t have a full training camp, so I wasn’t able to land my slams. Wait until I get a good five week training camp going, then you’ll see my slams.”

Former Strikeforce heavyweight Brett Rogers was successful in his Bellator debut, as opponent and former training partner Kevin Asplund was unable to continue into the third round due to a cut.

“It was definitely a tough fight,” said Rogers. “We trained together in the past, so I knew it was going to be a hard fight.”

“I just want to continue getting better here in Bellator. I just want to get in here and knock these guys out.”

Here are the results from the Bellator 71 main card.

Travis Wiuff def. Chris Davis via TKO (strikes) R1, 4:12
Attila Vegh def. Zelg Galesic via submission (rear-naked choke)  R1, 1:00
Emanuel Newton def. Roy Boughton via submission (rear-naked choke) R2, 0:49
Tim Carpenter def. Beau Tribolet via submission (armbar) R2, 4:51
Brett Rogers def. Kevin Asplund via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) R2, 5:00