Heavyweight Rematch Between Eric Prindle and Thiago Santos Headlines Bellator 61 In Bossier City, La.
By FCF Staff
Bellator Fighting Championships has announced that a much-anticipated rematch between “The American Solider” Eric Prindle and “The Big Monster” Thiago Santos will headline the Bellator 61 fight card at the Horseshoe Riverdome in Bossier City, La. on March 16.
Prindle meets Santos after last season’s Heavyweight Finals were declared a no contest as Santos delivered what was ruled an accidental illegal blow to the groin of Eric Prindle, which eventually halted the fight. The two will square off to determine who will earn the right to face current Bellator Heavyweight Champion Cole Konrad.
The night will also feature the quarterfinals of the Bellator Season 6 Middleweight Tournament. UFC veteran Maiquel “Big Rig” Falcao will make his Bellator debut against the dominant Norman Paraisy. Falcao enters Bellator with an astonishing 23 knockouts to his record and will look to keep that trend intact at Bellator 61.
In a middleweight matchup, Brian “The Predator” Rogers battles Brazilian ace Vitor Vianna for a spot in the semifinals.
Entering Bellator on a 14-fight win streak, explosive Russian Vyacheslav “Slava” Vasilevsky will be making his U.S. debut in a fight with Victor O’ Donnell. A highly touted prospect “Slava” is a two-time Sambo World Champion.
Giva “The Arm Collector” Santana will take on Bruno Santos. Santana has tapped 13 of his 17 career opponents by armbar.
“A lot of fighters like to go out there and try to knock their opponents out as soon as they can, and that’s the same way I am with my submissions,” Santana said. “For me, to tap a guy out is the same feeling as the knockout. When a punch lands and you know you knocked your opponent out, I feel the same feeling when I lock up a submission on my opponent. I know right away that he’s going to tap, and it’s a great feeling.”
The event will also be broadcast live on MTV2, beginning at 7 p.m. CST and in commercial-free HD on EPIX. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. CST, with the first fight scheduled for 6 p.m. CST. The preliminary card, featuring the area’s top local talent will be streamed LIVE and FREE around the world on Spike.com starting at 6 p.m. CST.