Pat Curran To Defend Bellator Featherweight Title Versus Shahbulat Shamhalaev April 4th
Rick Hawn Fighting Fellow Judoka Karo Parisyan
By FCF Staff
Bellator has confirmed that recent tournament winner Shahbulat Shamhalaev (12-1-1) will take on featherweight champ Pat Curran (18-4), April 4th at the Revel Resort in Atlantic City. In addition, the card will feature the latest middleweight tourney finale between Dough Marshall (17-6) and Brett Cooper (19-7), and the featherweight finale between Mike Richman (15-2) and Frodo Khasbulaev (20-5).
The promotion has also confirmed that the card will feature a fight between all-star judo competitors Rick Hawn and Karo Parisyan.
“He’s a great counter striker, as am I, and I see a lot of openings with Shabulat,” Curran was quoted saying in a press release from the promotion. “Shabulat brings one punch knockout power, and with my style, it’s going to be a swing for fences fight. This is my second fight this season, and I couldn’t ask for more. I love staying active, and Bellator has provided that for me.”
Parisyan (22-9) will be competing for the first time since October, when the former UFC contender tapped out Edward Darby while competing for Gladiator Challenge.
“I’m really excited to be back fighting so soon,” Hawn (14-2) said about his upcoming tilt with Parisyan. “I have a tough opponent in Karo, but I’m looking forward to the challenge. With two of the world’s best judoka fighters fighting each other, it should be an exciting fight.”
Here is the entire line-up for the April 4th card which will be broadcast on SPIKE.
MAIN CARD:
Bellator Featherweight World Title Fight: Pat Curran vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev
Bellator Middleweight Tournament Finals: Brett Cooper vs. Doug Marshall
Bellator Featherweight Tournament Finals: Mike Richman vs. Frodo Khasbulaev
Welterweight Feature Fight: Rick Hawn vs. Karo Parisyan
PRELIMINARY CARD:
Welterweight Feature Fight: Lyman Good vs. Dante Rivera
Women’s Feature Fight: Munah Holland vs. Jessica Eye
Catchweight Feature Fight(140 lbs.): Jimmie Rivera vs. Brian Kelleher
Welterweight Feature Fight: Sam Oropeza vs. Shedrick Goodridge
Middleweight Feature Fight: Tom DeBlass vs. Carlos Brooks
Light Heavyweight Feature Fight: Liam McGeary vs. Anton Talamantes
Featherweight Feature Fight: Brylan Van Artsdalen vs. Brett Martinez