Terry Etim Makes Bellator Tournament Debut at Bellator 113

Terry Etim Makes Bellator Tournament Debut at Bellator 113
by Chris Houten - @mrhouts

The UKs Terry Etim will make his Bellator tournament debut at Bellator 113 against undefeated prospect Derek Anderson.

Bellator 113 takes place March 21st at Kanas Star Arena, USA and is headline by a light-heavyweight unification bout between Attila Vegh and Emmanuel Newton. Notable lightweights Patricky Pitbull, David Rickels, and Marcin Held will also feature on the card as part of Bellator's lightweight tournament.

Top 5 in the UK lightweight rankings, Terry Etim (19-5) fights for the second time under the Bellator banner since being released by The UFC following back-to-back losses to Brazilians Edson Barboza and Renne Forte.

Fighting out of Team Kaobon, the Liverpudlian made his Bellator debut with a unanimous decision victory over Patrick Cenoble at Bellator 109 in November. A fight against Anderson in March will represent a relatively quick turn around for Etim who has suffered with injury problem in recent years, having fought once each year since 2010. 

His opponent Derek Anderson is unbeaten in his MMA career taking 9 of 10 victories either by TKO or submission; 7 in the first round. The only time Anderson has been to decision is in his most recent outing when he fought Bellator Season 4 Lightweight Runner-Up Patricky Freire at Bellator 98.

“I am extremely confident and excited to have the opportunity to be in a tournament,” Anderson said. “I saw Terry’s previous fight and I was unimpressed.”

Bellator 113 Fight Card
Attila Vegh (29-4) vs. Emanuel Newton (22-7) - For the  Bellator Light Heavyweight World Title David Rickels (15-2) vs. Patricky Pitbull (11-5) - Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round
Marcin Held (16-3) vs. Rodrigo Cavalheiro (14-2) - Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round
Terry Etim (16-5) vs. Derek Anderson (10-0) - Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round 
Brandon Girtz (10-3) vs. Derek Campos (13-3) - Bellator Lightweight Tournament Opening Round

Stay tuned to kingdomMMA.co.uk for your latest Bellator news.

Attila Vegh and Emanuel Newton Meet at Bellator 113

Attila Vegh and Emanuel Newton Meet at Bellator 113

The Bellator Light Heavyweight Title will be settled on Friday, March 21^st from the Kansas Star Arena, live on Spike TV. The event will be headlined by the Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship as Attila Vegh defends his belt against “The Hardcore Kid” Emmanuel Newton as well as the opening rounds of the Bellator Lightweight Tournament, including Kansas’s own David “The Caveman” Rickels facing Brazilian Knockout artist Patricy Pitbull.

After suffering an injury, reigning Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Attila Vegh is now ready to defend his title and face Bellator Interim Light Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton. After a razor close decision and ruthless battle in their previous meeting in 2012, Newton experienced his sole defeat since 2009 after falling to Vegh. Newton is confident that with the adjustment he’s made in his game, this fight will lend a different outcome.

“I’m ready for redemption,” Newton said. “I really wasn’t ready at the time in my career to be a champion. It wasn’t something physically, mentally, and spiritually I was prepared for. I’m a totally different fighter now, and this is my time.  I’m training hard, continuing to grow, and this is it. Now is the time. I’ve got a new contract with Bellator, Bjorn and I are happy, I’m going to be here for a long time and I couldn’t be happier. This is my home, and I’m going to be Champion."

Putting his title on the line for the first time, Vegh holds an impressive 29-4 professional record and enters the fight with a nine-fight win streak and remains undefeated in the Bellator cage. Vegh plans on ending this fight with Newton as quickly as possible and won’t let anyone get their hands on his championship belt.

“I’m ready to get back into the cage, and defend my belt,” Vegh said. “Even though I won my last fight with Emanuel, I wasn't happy with my performance in my last fight against Emanuel Newton. I was ready but things just didn't go the way I planned. We are both different fighters since then, and it’s going to be a great fight.”