MMA Nation - Bellator 54 Results, News, Injuries, Suspensions, Gate Receipts And Attendancehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/33343/mma-icon.png2011-10-18T11:05:40-07:00http://mma.sbnation.com/rss/stream/22576962011-10-18T11:05:40-07:002011-10-18T11:05:40-07:00Bellator 54 Ratings Rebound With 185,000 MTV2 Viewers
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/bellator" class="sbn-auto-link">Bellator Fighting Championships</a>' fifth season ratings roller coaster pressed on over the weekend, as viewership for Saturday's <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82288/bellator-54">Bellator 54</a> broadcast rebounded from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84508/bellator-53">Bellator 53</a>'s <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/11/2483640/bellator-53-ratings-saunders-lima-mma-news/in/2232668">all-time MTV-2 low</a>. According to reports from <a target="_blank" href="http://mmajunkie.com/news/25711/bellator-54-ratings-rebound-185000-mtv2-viewers-produce-80-percent-increase.mma?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+mmajunkie+%28MMAjunkie.com+Feed%29">MMA Junkie</a>, the primetime event drew 185,000 viewers, up from the dejecting total of 103,000 the previous week. An immediate replay drew 116,000 viewers.</p>
<p>The jump in numbers can likely be attributed to a lack of direct competition. For the first time in a month, Bellator owned Saturday all to themselves, as the the UFC kicked-off their two-week break between shows. Though, it's quite possible that primetime college football still managed to syphon off some viewers. </p>
<p>Bellator 54 was held on October 15th at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and headlined by a pair of semifinal matchups for the season five middleweight tournament.</p>
<p>Ratings rankings of MTV2-televised Bellator shows:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74640/bellator-44-lombard-vs-vitale">Bellator 44</a>: 325,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/79681/bellator-47">Bellator 47</a>: 277,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84560/bellator-52">Bellator 52</a>: 269,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/75950/bellator-45">Bellator 45</a>: 264,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/81029/bellator-49">Bellator 49</a>: 235,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74505/bellator-36">Bellator 36</a>: 230,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/79735/bellator-48">Bellator 48</a>: 226,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74503/bellator-40">Bellator 40</a>: 218,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74405/bellator-35">Bellator 35</a>: 200,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74501/bellator-42">Bellator 42</a>: 199,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82288/bellator-54" class="sbn-auto-link">Bellator 54</a>: 185,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/77773/bellator-46">Bellator 46</a>: 185,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74500/bellator-43">Bellator 43</a>: 182,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74629/bellator-39">Bellator 39</a>: 174,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74504/bellator-37">Bellator 37</a>: 173,000 viewers<br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/81010/bellator-51">Bellator 51</a>: 158,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74628/bellator-38">Bellator 38</a>: 150,000 viewers<br><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/74502/bellator-41">Bellator 41</a>: 132,000 viewers<br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/77565/bellator-50">Bellator 50</a>: 114,000 viewers <br><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/84508/bellator-53">Bellator 53</a>: 103,000 viewers </p>
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https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/18/2498479/bellator-54-ratings-mtv2-vitor-vianna-bryan-baker-mma-newsShaun Al-Shatti2011-10-17T11:20:33-07:002011-10-17T11:20:33-07:00VIDEO: Vitor Vianna Demolishes Bryan Baker At Bellator 54
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<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HqnHL30he5M" height="200" width="295"></iframe></p>
<p>Just one step away from his second shot at the Bellator middleweight tournament finale, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122549/bryan-baker" class="sbn-auto-link">Bryan Baker</a> ran into the freight train that was <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/128509/vitor-vianna" class="sbn-auto-link">Vitor Vianna's</a> right hand. The fast-rising Brazilian prospect punched his ticket to the finals with a dazzling knockout just 54 seconds into the first round at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82288/bellator-54" class="sbn-auto-link">Bellator 54</a>.</p>
<p>Both fighters exchanged wild flurries to open the round before Vianna's looping overhand right found its mark, crumbling Baker to the canvas. The tournament newcomer immediately swarmed, controlling Baker's legs while raining down hammerfist after hammerfist onto the skull of his opponent until referee Keith Peterson was forced to step in. The win was the fifth in a row for Vianna and secures a spot against season-two winner <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/130784/alexander-shlemenko" class="sbn-auto-link">Alexander Shlemenko</a> in the tournament finals.</p>
<p>Bellator 54 was held on October 15th, 2011, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Bantamweight champion <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122987/zach-makovsky" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Makovsky</a> defeated <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143744/ryan-roberts" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Roberts</a> via north/south choke at 4:48 of the first round in the night's other featured bout. For complete results, news, and injuries, check <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/16/2493655/bellator-54-results-news-injuries-suspensions-gate-attendance-more">MMA Nation's comprehensive Bellator coverage</a>.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/17/2496150/video-vitor-vianna-knockout-bryan-baker-bellator-54Shaun Al-Shatti2011-10-17T09:25:10-07:002011-10-17T09:25:10-07:00Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney Hints At Broadcast Change For Sixth Season
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<p>Facing erratic event ratings on a weekly basis, Bellator chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney opened the door for a shift away from Saturday nights for the promotion's sixth season.</p> <p>As the rollercoaster ride that is <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/bellator" class="sbn-auto-link">Bellator Fighting Championships</a>' fifth-season presses on, promotion chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney is already looking towards the future. Despite producing electrifying cards on a weekly basis, Bellator has felt the burden of the ratings beast, dancing from <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/4/2468738/bellator-52-ratings-neil-grove-mike-hayes-cosmo-alexander-mma-news">records highs</a> to <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/11/2483640/bellator-53-ratings-saunders-lima-mma-news">record lows</a>, sometimes just seven days apart. The flippancy of the figures have caused some to question the promotion's chosen time slot.</p>
<p>Working in collaboration with broadcast partner MTV2, Bellator airs events on a Saturday night primetime schedule. The weekend model would suggest success in theory, however the reality is farther from the truth. Often facing direct competition from the UFC, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce" class="sbn-auto-link">Strikeforce</a>, or college football, Bellator's struggles to gain a consistent audience have become well-documented, creating situations where <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/11/2483640/bellator-53-ratings-saunders-lima-mma-news">a replay at a later time slot draws a larger audience than the live broadcast</a>.</p>
<p>The dilemma is one that promotion officials are well-aware of, and as the incentive for change grows, Rebney's team has begun to research alternatives.</p>
<p>"We've had some consistent amount of investigation and due diligence into what's the best time, the best day," Rebney said to <a target="_blank" href="http://mmajunkie.com/news/25694/bellator-ceo-bjorn-rebney-says-events-could-move-to-new-night-in-sixth-season.mma">MMA Junkie</a>. "Where can we reach the largest number of consumers with the Bellator product we've been putting out there?</p>
<p>"In season six when we kick off in the first quarter of 2012, it remains to be seen. We're not dead set on any specific [time slot] when we determine what's best."</p>
<p>Thus is the inherent problem for a fledgling promotion trying to carve out its niche in mixed martial arts. As the UFC moves to network mega-giant Fox next year, the dearth of MMA programming in the seven day broadcast schedule will shrink even further. Yet Rebney has remained steadfast with his belief that Bellator will find it's place in the sport.</p>
<p>"We try to consistently evolve," he explained. "We consistently try to move the bar forward and move the bar up."</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/17/2495853/bellator-bjorn-rebney-sixth-season-mtv2-mma-newsShaun Al-Shatti2011-10-17T04:52:12-07:002011-10-17T04:52:12-07:00MMA Results: Bellator, M-1, W-1, Score And More From The Weekend That Was
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<figcaption>Photo via <a href="http://www.bellator.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=23600&ATCLID=205317505" target="new">Bellator.com</a></figcaption>
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<p>Get up to speed on all the non-UFC MMA action this weekend that you may have missed or just want to revisit before we set our sights on upcoming events.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/ufc" class="sbn-auto-link">Ultimate Fighting Championship</a> (UFC) took a rare, albeit much needed, rest from promoting an event this past weekend to gear up for its upcoming blitz.</p>
<p>And it will do it again next weekend, too, before <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/79709/ufc-137-st-pierre-vs-condit" class="sbn-auto-link">UFC 137</a>: St. PIerre vs. Condit blows the doors off the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 29, 2011. Three events will then follow in succession, as well as a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce" class="sbn-auto-link">Strikeforce</a> "Challengers" show, ending with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82269/ufc-139-henderson-vs-rua" class="sbn-auto-link">UFC 139</a>: Henderson vs. Rua on Nov. 19, 2011.</p>
<p>Despite the absence of a Zuffa-promoted event this weekend and next, the mixed martial arts (MMA) world did (and will) not stop churning. In fact, several notable events took place this weekend throughout the nation, featuring a few names that might ring a bell.</p>
<p>Let's take a quick look at the weekend that was in MMA:</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82288/bellator-54" class="sbn-auto-link">Bellator 54</a><br>Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey<br>Oct. 15, 2011</b><br>Bellator was at it again, delivering another exciting event that featured the semifinals of its middleweight tournament. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/130784/alexander-shlemenko" class="sbn-auto-link">Alexander Shlemenko</a> survived a first round scare to storm back and stop <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129803/brian-rogers-brian-rogers" class="sbn-auto-link">Brian Rogers</a>, while <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/128509/vitor-vianna" class="sbn-auto-link">Vitor Vianna</a> clipped <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122549/bryan-baker" class="sbn-auto-link">Bryan Baker</a> with an overhand right to punch their tickets to the final on Nov. 19, 2011. In other action, Bellator Bantamweight Champion <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122987/zach-makovsky" class="sbn-auto-link">Zach Makovsky</a> made quick work of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143744/ryan-roberts" class="sbn-auto-link">Ryan Roberts</a> in their non-title fight, locking in a fight-ending submission (North-South Choke) in the opening frame. If you missed any or all of it, or just want to keep the discussion alive, check out complete Bellator 54 results coverage and more right <a target="_blank" href="http://%20http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/16/2493655/bellator-54-results-news-injuries-suspensions-gate-attendance-more">here</a>.</p>
<p><b>M-1 GLOBAL Challenge XXVII<br>Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix, Arizona<br>Oct. 14, 2011</b><br>Fresh off winning gold at the 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship, M-1 Global Light Heavyweight Champion Vinny Magalhaes defended his 205-pound title against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143367/mikhail-zayats" class="sbn-auto-link">Mikhail Zayats</a>. It wasn't easy, but The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 alum recovered from a slow start to score a technical knockout finish in round three that was set up by a nice head kick.<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>In the co-featured fight of the night, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/132164/kenny-garner" class="sbn-auto-link">Kenny Garner</a>, the promotion's interim heavyweight champion, needed nearly all 25 minutes to finally stop <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143979/maxim-grishin" class="sbn-auto-link">Maxim Grishin</a> in the final 60 seconds in what was described as "a knock-down, drag-out brawl." The bout had a heavy dose of officiating controversy, as well as a <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/15/2492459/maxim-grishin-bengay-m-1-challenge-27-mma-news#storyjump">healthy helping of BenGay</a>. Whistles, too, also <a target="_blank" href="http://%20http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/15/2492372/m-1-challenge-27-arizona-commission-whistle-mma">wreaked havoc on the action</a>, nearly affecting the outcome of at least one fight on the card. To find out what happened and to check out the latest M-1 GLOBAL Challenge XXVII result coverage click <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/15/2491653/m-1-challenge-xxvii-results-kenny-garner-vinny-magalhaes-mma-news">here</a>.</p>
<p><b><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/79733/score-fighting-series" class="sbn-auto-link">Score Fighting Series</a> 2: "Doerksen vs. Cooper"<br>Ronald V. Joyce Centre for Performing Arts in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada<br>Oct. 14, 2011</b><br>The upstart Canadian promotion pulled the trigger on its encore event with seven-fight card from the Great White North. UFC veteran and MMA journey man, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122552/joe-doerksen" class="sbn-auto-link">Joe Doerksen</a>, participated in his 63rd professional bout this weekend, taking on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/130785/brett-cooper" class="sbn-auto-link">Brett Cooper</a> in the headliner. Cooper, who admittedly "got caught with some good ones" from "El Dirte," hung on to register a very impressive technical knockout in round two. To watch the full fight, and the finish, click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/10/15/2491783/video-brett-cooper-kos-ufc-veteran-joe-doerksen">here</a>. <span style="line-height: 9px;">Cooper wasn't the only fighter to score a nice finish. </span>Bellator veteran <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131817/william-romero" class="sbn-auto-link">William Romero</a> came from behind to stop Stephane Bernadel in the opening round of their co main event fight. <span style="line-height: 9px;">For more on Score Fighting Series 2, including complete results, click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2011/10/15/2492487/score-fighting-series-2-results-and-recap-for-doerksen-vs-cooper-oct">here</a>.</span></p>
<p><b>W-1: "Reloaded"<br>United Bank Center in Miami, Florida<br>Oct. 15, 2011</b><br>Riding a three-fight win streak into the "Sunshine State," <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/128562/marcus-davis" class="sbn-auto-link">Marcus Davis</a> was on a mission to make it four straight and hope it was good enough to be invited back to the UFC. (TUF) alum <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131681/chuck-o-neil">Chuck O'Neil</a> had a different plan. The pair split the first two rounds of the main event, but then in the final frame the "Irish Hand Grenade" absorbed a wig-splitting elbow that had him bleeding profusely. O'Neil continued to pour on the punishment en route to surprising split decision victory. In the co-main event, former XFC Featherweight Champion and South Florida favorite, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/131728/luis-palomino" class="sbn-auto-link">Luis Palomino</a>, edged <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/136174/edson-berto" class="sbn-auto-link">Edson Berto</a> via decision in a bout that was originally scheduled to be fought under the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/bellator" class="sbn-auto-link">Bellator Fighting Championships</a> umbrella earlier this year. For complete W-1 results and coverage click <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mmamania.com/2011/10/15/2489754/w-1-results-and-live-fight-coverage-for-reloaded-on-oct-15-in-miami">here </a>and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2011/10/16/2493336/w-1-mma-reloaded-results-chuck-oneil-edges-marcus-davis-palomino">here</a>. </p>
<p>Bellator will be back in business this upcoming weekend with the semifinals of its bantamweight tournament, highlighted with a light heavyweight "super fight" between <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143983/travis-wiuff" class="sbn-auto-link">Travis Wiuff</a> vs. <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/130122/christian-m-pumbu" class="sbn-auto-link">Christian M'Pumbu</a>. Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC) will also be in play with its "Resurrection" card from the University of Central Florida campus in Orlando, Florida.</p>
<p>Be sure to check in with MMA Nation for all the UFC/MMA news and results from around globe. Just because UFC takes breaks, doesn't mean that we let up on our non-stop coverage of the sport.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/17/2494891/mma-results-bellator-m-1-w-1-score-weekend-mma-newsThomas Myers2011-10-16T08:53:13-07:002011-10-16T08:53:13-07:00Bellator Signs UFC veteran Maiquel Falcao
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<p>Bellator bossman Bjorn Rebney announced that the promotion has signed UFC veteran <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/126091/maiquel-falcao">Maiquel Falcao</a> yesterday during the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82288/bellator-54">Bellator 54</a> preliminary fights stream on Spike.com. Falcao is best known for a one fight stint with the UFC that saw him beat <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122554/gerald-harris">Gerald Harris</a> at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/62039/ufc-123-jackson-vs-machida">UFC 123</a>. </p>
<p>That bout was shrouded in controversy. Not only did a time keeper's error likely prevent Falcao from getting a rear naked choke tapout win over Harris at the end of the second round, but neither fighter ever returned to the UFC. Harris was cut after the fight, despite a 3-1 record with the organization. Falcao was cut after legal issues in his native Brazil prevented his return at <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/71387/ufc-134-rio">UFC 134</a>. </p>
<p>Falcao, a middleweight, is 2-1 since leaving the UFC with two TKO wins and one submission loss to Jiu-Jitsu world champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/139605/antonio-braga-neto">Antonio Braga Neto</a>. He'll be an exciting addition to Bellator's middleweight division and will likely enter their next middleweight tournament as a favorite. Beyond that, he's a fighter who could give Bellator middleweight champion <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129559/hector-lombard">Hector Lombard</a> a serious run for his money.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/16/2493684/bellator-signs-ufc-veteran-maiquel-falcaoNate Wilcox2011-10-16T08:15:33-07:002011-10-16T08:15:33-07:00Bellator 54 Results: Shlemenko, Vianna Advance, Makovsky Wins Non-Title Fight
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<p>Vitor Vianna and Alexander Shlemenko advance to the finals of the Bellator season 5 tournament with wins at Bellator 54. </p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight-card/82288/bellator-54">Bellator 54</a> was held last night in Atlantic City, NJ and saw the semi-final round of the Bellator season 5 middleweight tournament as well as a non-title fight featuring Bellator bantamweight champ <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122987/zach-makovsky">Zach Makovsky</a>.</p>
<p>Alexander Shlemenko endured a tough first round at the hands and feet of Brian Rogers before coming back to blast him out in the second. In the other middleweight tourny bout, Vitor Vianna made short work of Bryan Baker after catching him charging into a right hand for a 0:54 TKO.</p>
<p>Makovsky was able to submit Roberts toward the end of the first round with a nifty north-south choke.</p>
<p>Here are the complete results:</p>
<p><b>Main Card </b>(MTV2)</p>
<p>185 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1201/bellator-54-brian-rogers-vs-alexander-shlemenko">Alexander Shlemenko</a> def. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129803/brian-rogers-brian-rogers">Brian Rogers</a> via TKO at 2:30 Round 2<br>185 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1200/bellator-54-bryan-baker-vs-vitor-vianna">Vitor Vianna </a>def.<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1200/bellator-54-bryan-baker-vs-vitor-vianna"> Bryan Baker</a> via TKO at 0:54 Round 1<br>135 lbs.: Zach Makovsky def. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143744/ryan-roberts">Ryan Roberts</a> via submission (North-South choke) at 4:48 Round 1<br>155 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1266/bellator-54-jacob-kirwan-vs-rene-nazare">Jacob Kirwan </a>def.<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1266/bellator-54-jacob-kirwan-vs-rene-nazare"> Rene Nazare</a> via unanimous decision</p>
<p><b>Undercard </b>(Spike.com)</p>
<p>185 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1227/bellator-54-duane-bastress-vs-daniel-gracie">Duane Bastress </a>def.<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1227/bellator-54-duane-bastress-vs-daniel-gracie"> Daniel Gracie</a> via TKO at 5:00 Round 2<br>205 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1229/bellator-54-tim-carpenter-vs-ryan-contaldi">Tim Carpenter</a> def. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143815/ryan-contaldi">Ryan Contaldi</a> via TKO at 2:16 Round 1<br>185 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143801/joey-kirwan">Joey Kirwan</a> def. Lewis Rumsey via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:30 Round 1<br>125 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1225/bellator-54-andria-caplan-vs-adrienne-seiber">Andria Caplan </a>def.<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1225/bellator-54-andria-caplan-vs-adrienne-seiber"> Adrienne Seiber</a> via unanimous decision<br>135 lbs.: <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fight/1267/bellator-54-brian-kelleher-vs-claudio-ledesma">Claudio Ledesma</a> def. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/143909/brian-kelleher">Brian Kelleher</a> via unanimous decision</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/16/2493604/bellator-54-results-shlemenko-vianna-advance-makovsky-wins-non-titleNate Wilcox2011-10-15T13:22:22-07:002011-10-15T13:22:22-07:00Why UFC's Dana White Isn't Worried About Bellator
<figure>
<img alt="Photo by Zuffa LLC via Getty Images." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/yXeVpm_XmuGXvvNOiElbWf3epT8=/0x22:1000x689/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/assets/675282/113244431.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Zuffa LLC via Getty Images.</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>UFC president Dana White isn't threatened by Bellator.</p> <p>UFC president Dana White isn't known for being a magnanimous competitor. He talks more smack about rival promotions than most fighters talk about their opponents.<a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/entry_photo_images/774638/tombstone_large.jpg"> He infamously keeps a tombstone in his office</a> on which he puts the names of former competitors who've been forced out of the business. And when push comes to shove, he's an aggressive counter-programmer and talent poacher who revels in making it harder for competitors to do business.</p>
<p>But so far, apart from<a target="_blank" href="http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2010/7/29/1595624/zuffa-sues-ken-pavia-bellator-for"> some legal wrangling</a>, Bellator has escaped his ire. Dana will tell you it's because Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney hasn't talked smack about "coming after the UFC," but the reality is that Bellator isn't really in direct competition with the UFC.</p>
<p>Let us count the ways:</p>
<p> </p>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><b>Bellator isn't competing with the UFC for top-of-the-card fighters</b><br>While Bellator has some formidable talent on their roster and is a competitor for new talent, they're just not going after the fighters that really impact the UFC's bottom line. Unlike Affliction or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/promotion/strikeforce">Strikeforce</a>, the UFC isn't losing sleep that fighters like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122499/alistair-overeem">Alistair Overeem</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122575/nick-diaz">Nick Diaz</a>, or <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122555/dan-henderson">Dan Henderson</a> are going to jump ship to Bellator. The fight business is overwhelmingly about the fights on top of the card and so far, Bellator hasn't done anything to mess with Dana's headliners. <br>Fighters like <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122521/eddie-alvarez">Eddie Alvarez</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/123065/ben-askren">Ben Askren</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/122986/cole-konrad">Cole Konrad</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mma/fighter/129559/hector-lombard">Hector Lombard</a> may be tough enough to compete at the upper echelons of the UFC, but they're not well known enough to headline a pay-per-view and that's really all that matters.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><b>Bellator isn't competing with the UFC for television deals</b><br>While Bellator has a so-so deal with MTV2 and may even jump up to Spike TV someday, the UFC has moved on to bigger and better things. The UFC outgrew their Spike TV relationship and isn't looking in the rear-view mirror. The broadcast and cable package that the UFC's new partner Fox can put together leaves anything but the biggest media deals in the dust. <br>There's an outside possibility that Bellator could move to Spike TV in 2013 when Spike's rights to the UFC archives expire, but even that isn't much of a threat. Just look at how little impact TNA has had as a competitor to the WWE since replacing them on Spike TV. It's not 2005 and the odds of Bellator putting together a breakout programming package on Spike TV are slim to none.<br><br></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 9px;"><b>Bellator isn't competing with the UFC on pay-per-view</b><br>This is the big one. The promotions that have really drawn Dana's ire are the ones like Pride or Affliction who attempted to go head-to-head with the UFC on PPV. Pay-per-view still represents an overwhelming share of the UFC's revenue and anyone who threatens that will find themselves in a fight to the death.<br>Bellator has talked about ultimately doing pay-per-view, and no doubt that's their goal, but they're nowhere near making that move. It's been shown again and again that without a robust cable or broadcast TV platform from which to promote a PPV card, it's just not a viable business. The 100 to 300 thousand viewers a week that Bellator is drawing on MTV2 is so far from the critical mass of fans the promotion needs to be profitable on pay-per-view it's not even funny. </span></li>
</ul>
<p> </p>
<p>So there you have. Sure it's also handy for the UFC to have at least one rival MMA promotion on American cable television with <a target="_blank" href="http://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/13/2488044/the-economist-ftc-ufc-culinary-union-mma-news">the specter of an FTC investigation</a> looming, but the reality is that as long as Bellator stays in its (slow) lane, Dana White won't be putting them in his cross-hairs anytime soon.</p>
https://mma.sbnation.com/2011/10/15/2492217/why-ufcs-dana-white-isnt-worried-about-bellatorNate Wilcox