Bellator finalizes stacked event with addition of UFC vets to undercard

MMA fans are in for a treat this weekend when Bellator rolls into the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut with a card featuring the promotional debut of Ben Saunders, a pair of Season 4 tournament semi-finals, and an appearance from highly-ranked lightweight champ Eddie Alvarez as he defends his title against top contender Pat Curran.

The organization announced the Bellator 39 preliminary pairings earlier today and, staying true to the main card’s talent-ripe form, is offering up a five undercard fights including numerous names with previous ties to Zuffa.

According to an official press release, 15-3 Matt Veach will face undefeated Rene Nazare who has gone 6-0 thus far in his career, while TUF 7 alumnus Dan Cramer is set for a scrap with 12-2 Greg Rebello. A match-up between former WEC fighter Dave Jansen and 10-2 Alaskan prospect Scott McAfee will also take place.

As mentioned earlier, Bellator 39 will be headlined by 21-2 Alvarez’s long-awaited championship defense against 13-3 Curran who earned the shot nearly a year ago but was forced out of the scheduled fight due to a training injury.

“I’ve been dreaming every night about this (title) fight with (Alvarez). I think about it in the morning, all day, when I go to bed, and in my dreams,” explained Curran. “I’m coming out there to shock the world. I’m going to stand right in front of Eddie and I’m going to let my hands fly. I have all the confidence in the world that I can beat (him) so now it’s up to me to go out there and do it.”
The champ, however, dismissed Curran’s statement as folly, saying, “If I had a quarter for every time someone said they were going to stand with me and knock me out, I wouldn’t have to fight for a living. Pat may be saying he wants to stand in front of me, but that would be a stupid, stupid game plan. He won’t be standing in front of me for long.”

Fans can tune in to catch all the action live on MTV2 starting at 9:00 PM EST this Saturday night.

Here is a complete rundown of the Bellator 39 line-up:
John McLaughlin vs. Blair Tugman
Dave Jansen vs. Scott McAfee
Mike Winters vs. Ryan Quinn
Greg Rebello vs. Dan Cramer
Matt Veach vs. Rene Nazare
Ben Saunders vs. Matt Lee
Lyman Good vs. Rick Hawn – Welterweight Tournament Semi-Final
Toby Imada vs. Patricky “Pitbull” Freires – Lightweight Tournament Semi-Final
Eddie Alvarez vs. Pat Curran

Source: www.fiveouncesofpain.com