· Welterweight Finals Promise To Deliver At Bellator 43

· Article author: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Posted on 05/06 at 11:18 AM

Bellator Fighting Championships makes its return to First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla. on May 7 as the promotion’s welterweight tournament reaches its crescendo with a finals matchup pitting Olympic judoka Rick Hawn against UFC and Strikeforce veteran Jay “The Thoroughbred” Hieron. Both fighters contend for the $100,000 tournament winner’s check and the opportunity to challenge the champion, the undefeated Ben Askren, for welterweight gold. Bellator 43 broadcasts live at 9 p.m. ET on MTV2.

Hieron (21-4) overcame two tough competitors en route to his spot in finals, finishing Anthony Lapsley via rear-naked choke at Bellator 35 in March, and edging out a formidable Brent Weedman by unanimous decision just one month later at Bellator 40. Hieron notches six knockouts and six submission wins in his career.

Despite his opponent's undefeated record, “The Thoroughbred” sees little to fear in the Olympian’s game. “I feel like I'm just way too experienced for Rick Hawn, and I'm just a better fighter. I just have to go out there and do what I do every day in the gym,” Hieron stated. “I'm going to bring my A-game to this fight. I'm healthy, I'm ready and I'm focused.”

Hawn (11-0) carries an elite-level judo pedigree and a increasingly impressive and continually improving mixed martial arts skill set into his bout with Hieron. Although he rides two decision wins into the finals, he faced, and eliminated, some of the toughest competition to get there. Hawn defeated British striker Jim Wallhead via unanimous decision at Bellator 35, and was awarded the split decision victory over former champion Lyman Good at Bellator 39.

Without dismissing the challenge presented by Hieron, Hawn believes the harder work has already been done. “I think Lyman was the toughest guy in the division, besides me of course. I'm not looking past Jay at all,” he said. “He's a really good athlete and a really good fighter, but honestly I feel like Lyman was a tougher fight for me than Jay's going to be.”

Several exciting feature fights fill out the main card, with UFC and Strikeforce veteran Joe “Diesel” Riggs (34-12, 1 NC) making his promotional debut at middleweight against WEC veteran and Bellator mainstay Bryan “The Beast” Baker (14-2), former WEC bantamweight champion Chase “The Rage” Beebe (17-7) taking on Bellator season three bantamweight semifinalist Jose Vega (9-4), and a heavyweight clash with Ron “The Monster” Sparks (6-0) facing Vince Lucero (19-19-1).

Riggs is coming off of a technical knockout loss to Jordan Mein this past January at “Wreck MMA 5: Strong and Proud.” His bout with Baker is a grudge match of sorts as “The Diesel” hopes to avenge a loss Jeremy Horn suffered at the hands of “The Beast.”

“The fact that Bryan Baker beat Jeremy Horn in his last fight is even extra motivation for me,” Riggs stated. “Jeremy has been a good friend and training partner of mine for a long time so it's going to be nice to go out there and get that win back for Jeremy.”

For Baker, currently battling leukemia (at present in remission), the future remains bright and a triumph over Riggs will just be the next stage in his incredible story.

“My victory over Jeremy Horn was a testament to myself and what I can get through on my quest to become a world champion. That fight was an introduction to the new Bryan Baker,” he remarked. “That fight was kind of a glimpse of what's to come, and now this fight with Joe Riggs is the start of the next chapter."

“I feel like, with what I just went through and overcome, my purpose in life is to inspire others. My purpose isn't just to be a champion just to be a champion,” Baker continued. “My purpose is to be a champion to be a light to let everyone know to believe in themselves and to achieve their dreams.”

The weigh-ins and pre-fight press conference for Bellator 43 take place at the First Council Casino today, May 6, at 6 p.m. ET and stream live from Bellator.com.