Bellator 43: Results and Event Recap
Bellator 43, held on May 7, 2011, at the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Oklahoma, was a memorable event in the history of Bellator MMA. The event featured six exciting fights, each with its unique story and outcome. Sherdog event results.
The main event of the evening was a welterweight tournament final between Jay Hieron and Rick Hawn. Hieron, a veteran of the UFC, Strikeforce, and the IFL, had defeated Brent Weedman and Anthony Lapsley on his road to the finals. On the other hand, Hawn, who was perfect in 11 fights, had defeated Jim Wallhead and Lyman Good to reach the finals. The fight was a close one, with Hieron circling and landing with jabs and leg kicks, while Hawn managed to wobble Hieron during the bout. The fight ended with a split decision victory for Hieron, earning him a title shot at reigning 170-pound champion Ben Askren.
The co-main event featured Bryan Baker against Joe Riggs in a middleweight matchup. Baker, who had lost to Alexander Shlemenko in season two’s middleweight tournament finals, managed to knock out Riggs in the second round, marking a significant win in his career.
Chase Beebe, a former WEC champion, faced Jose Vega in a bantamweight matchup. The fight was a qualifier for the right to enter the Bantamweight tournament. Beebe managed to secure a guillotine choke on Vega, forcing him to tap out in the first round.
In the heavyweight division, Ronnie Sparks faced Vince Lucero. Sparks dominated Lucero with leg kicks and secured a keylock for the submission victory in the first round. This win was a significant boost for Sparks, who was expected to participate in the next Bellator heavyweight tournament.
David Rickels faced Richard Bouphanouvong in a preliminary bout. Rickels managed to submit Bouphanouvong with a triangle choke in the second round. The opening bout of the evening saw Michael Osborn defeat Mike Schatz via TKO in the first round.
Bellator 43 was a significant event that showcased the skills and determination of its fighters. Each fight told a unique story, contributing to the rich history of Bellator MMA.
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Bellator 43, Bellator, Mixed Martial Arts, Event Results
