CT fighters confirmed for Bellator
by Brian Woodman Jr. on 06/15/14
Sources stated that two fighters from Connecticut may compete at Bellator 123 on September 5 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. The event will begin Bellator's eleventh season.
Groton resident Josh Diekman, who competed on the preliminary card at Bellator 98, will compete in the opening rounds of the season's heavyweight tournament. Bellator representatives did not confirm as of this writing who he will fight or who the other contenders in the tournament will be. It has not yet been confirmed by Bellator whether he will appear at Mohegan Sun.
Waterford resident Brennan Ward, who won the middleweight tournament for Bellator's ninth season, will fight James Irvin that evening. Ward was submitted by guillotine choke at 1:22 in the second round by belt holder Alexander Shlemenko during a middleweight title fight on March 28 at Bellator 114.
Bellator spokespersons confirmed that Matt Bessette, who trains at Hartord's Underdog BJJ, will also compete this fall. They did not confirm whether Bessette, a heralded fighter in Connecticut who competed as a lightweight for Reality Fighting, will be at Mohegan Sun this fall. Bessette competed this spring in Bellator's featherweight tournament and lost a decision to Daniel Weichel at Bellator 114.
More details will be posted as they become available.
