Bellator Rumbles South Florida

Bellator and Everlast brought yet another fantastic fight night to south Florida this past August 12, 2010 for the Bellator Mixed Martial Arts competition.

South African born Neil Grove savagely beat Eddie Sanchez, resulting in a TKO Round 1 (1:32). Grove is an Ultimate Challenge UK heavyweight champion and one-time UFC fighter with a 4 year career in fighting after transitioning from rugby.

The “Queen of Sambo,” Megumi Fujii, threw jabs like lighting, establishing her as a force to be reckoned with. She won by TKO against Carla Esparaza of Redondo Beach, California with an arm bar submission in Round 2 at 57 seconds. Megumi softened the Hard Asses in her post-fight interview with her huge smile and limited English -- winning over the crowd.  

Cuban born Judo Olympian Hector “Shango” Lombard won by TKO against Herbert Goodman. Lombard established himself as the current Middleweight champion for the Bellator Fighting Championships by delivering a round of bell ringers in Round 1, ending the fight at 38 seconds. 

A round and pound that everyone waited for was Jessica Aguilar! She is an absolute celebrity in the sport. Everyone anticipated her fight. Aguilar's fan base is growing at an exponential rate, building a solid female following in Mixed Martial Arts.

Her respect for the sport and her opponent is evident in every fight. No one seems to have the focus and tranquility that Jessica carries.

Aguilar had a special guest in attendance, the creator of popular Spanish Christmas song "Feliz Navidad" -- a South Florida favorite! José Feliciano was in attendance to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his hit song.

When Aguilar's opponent, Lyn Alvarez walked out, the crowd was torn as to who would dominate the cage. Lyn looked like a hardcore grappler. Even the judges thought it might be a toss up.

The fighters tapped gloves and the crowd sat silent. The echo of barking coaches replaced cheering, until Aguilar triumphed and Alvarez surrendered, crumbling beneath Aguilar’s fury -- tapping out of an arm triangle submission at 4 minutes and 1 second. A commending effort from Alvarez for holding out that extra second!

The main event of the night was moved to later on in the night. Luis Palomino of Miami, Florida was defeated by Yves Edwards of Austin TX. It was a win by judge's decision with a triple outcome of 30/27.

The last fight of the night was a snore. Franhad Sharipov of Orlando, Florida spent most of the time on his back.

It was evident that Eric Luke of Port St. Lucie, Florida would win by TKO. Even a seasoned judge said, “I love when it’s an easy fight to call!” It was yet another fantastic fight night at the Hard Rock Live in Hollywood, Florida.

Miami is now looking forward to the next large MMA event to come to South Florida: Fight Time 1 featuring Jeff “The Snowman” Monson on August 21st at Club Cinema in Pompano Beach, Florida.

You can buy your tickets this next event at: http://www.fighttimepromotions.com Below are the outcomes of each fight at Bellator XXI on August 12 2010.

Fight 1: Blue-Tulio Quintanilla of Hialeah FL. WIN BY TKO Round 3 (4:28) Red- Brain Eckstein (Boynton Beach, FL)

Fight 2: Blue- Eddie Sanchez of San Diego, CA. Red -Neil Grove- (England UK) WIN BY TKO Round 1 (1:32)

Fight 3: Blue-Megumi Fujii of Fullerton, Ca. WIN BY TKO Round 2 (57 seconds) by arm bar submission Red- Carla Esparza (Redondo Beach CA)

Fight 4: Blue- Hector Lombard of Miami FL WIN BY TKO in Round 1 (38 seconds) Red- Herbert Goodman (Green Bay, WI)

Fight 5: Blue-Jessica Aguilar of Pompano Beach, FL Representing American Top Team. WIN BY TKO Round 1 (4:01) by Arm triangle submission. Red- Lyn Alvarez (Las Vegas NV)

Fight 6: Blue-Luis Palomino (Miami Fl) Red-Yves Edwards of Austin TX. WIN by Judges decision (30/27 x 3)

Fight 7: Blue-Franhad Sharipov (Orlando FL) Red-Eric Luke of Port St. Lucie FL. WIN BY TKO