Bellator 53: Results and Event Recap
Bellator 53, held on October 8, 2011, at the Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma, was a night of thrilling fights and unforgettable knockouts. The event featured the semifinals of Bellator’s Season 5 welterweight tournament, with all fighters on the main card meeting their required weight, including each of the four welterweight tournament semifinalists. Sherdog event results.
Welterweight Tournament Semifinals
The welterweight tournament semifinals were the highlight of the event. Ben Saunders faced Luis Santos, while Douglas Lima took on Chris Lozano.
Saunders and Santos showed ample amounts of respect towards each other as they squared off. “He’s a great fighter and I’m expecting a good fight,” Santos said after tipping the scales. “I’m ready for him.” Saunders echoed the sentiment, declaring, “I respect him tremendously. We’re going to put on a great show.”
Saunders (12-3-2 MMA, 3-0 BFC) defeated Luis Santos via submission (keylock) at 1:35 of Round 3. Saunders dominated the first two rounds, rotating between triangle-choke and omaplata attempts while shutting down most of Santos’ offense. Saunders then escaped some trouble to begin the third but was able to stave off Santos and punch his ticket into the finals.
In the other semifinal, Lima (20-4 MMA, 2-0 BFC) defeated Chris Lozano via KO at 3:14 of Round 2. Lima survived an early onslaught in the fight, but was able to control the rest of the round with his jab and was able to bloody Lozano by the end of the first. Lima continued his dominance in the second round, flooring Lozano with a vicious right that put a halt to the fight. This sensational knockout win for Douglas Lima advanced him to the Bellator Season 5 welterweight tournament final.
Other Notable Fights
In addition to the welterweight tournament semifinals, Bellator 53 also featured other notable fights. Ronnie Mann secured his spot into the 2012 season-six featherweight tournament with a first-round submission victory over Kenny Foster in a tourney-qualifier bout. Foster scored takedowns early in the fight, but Mann sought out a triangle choke. On the second attempt, he got it, and Foster tapped out at the 3:52 in the first round.
In the night’s first televised fight, Thiago Santos likely fought his way back into this season’s heavyweight tournament with a first round submission victory over Josh Burns. Santos was slated for the initial field of eight, but he missed the opening round of the tournament due to visa issues. But with semifinalist Mike Hayes appealing a 60-day medical suspensions due to a broken orbital bone he suffered in his opening-round win, Bellator officials booked the tourney-reserve fight.
Conclusion
Bellator 53 was a night of thrilling fights and unforgettable knockouts. The welterweight tournament semifinals were the highlight of the event, with Ben Saunders and Douglas Lima advancing to the finals. The event also featured other notable fights, with Ronnie Mann and Thiago Santos securing impressive victories. Bellator 53 was evidence of the high level of competition and excitement that Bellator brings to the world of mixed martial arts.
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Bellator 53, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
