Eduardo Dantas Injured, Joe Warren Meets Rafael Silva at Bellator 118

Eduardo Dantas Injured, Joe Warren Meets Rafael Silva at Bellator 118

Reigning Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas will be sidelined indefinitely after suffering a head injury in training. Originally scheduled to face Joe Warren on Friday, May 2nd, the Brazilian phenom will be replaced by 21-3 Bellator Bantamweight Tournament winner Rafael Silva, as he battles “The Baddest Man On The Planet” Joe Warren for the Bellator Interim Bantamweight World title live on Spike.

“We take head injuries very seriously, and when we were notified that Eduardo was dealing with a head injury, we immediately flew him from Brazil to California to be examined by some of the leading specialists in the field. We are hopeful Eduardo will be able to resume his career later this year, but in the interim we have two incredible tournament winners ready to challenge for the Bellator World Title.  Two of the best on the planet in Joe Warren and Rafael Silva will fight for the title and when Dantas is able to return, he will challenge the winner for the undisputed Bellator World Title.”

“This is setback for me,” Dantas said. “I’m not feeling right at the moment, but I am a fighter and have been a fighter since my childhood and I promise that I will be back stronger than ever. I want to thank Bjorn and Bellator for taking care of me during this process, for flying me across the world to get top specialists to see me. And, when I am ready to fight, I will show everyone once again why the belt has been wrapped around my waist.”

No stranger to championships fights, Warren looks to capture his second World Title as the former Featherweight Champion looks to dominate the 21-3 Silva. Warren punched his ticket to a title shot with his Season 9 Tournament run that included two dominate finishes, and will be looking to make quick work of Silva.

“It doesn’t matter which Brazilian they throw at me, I’m going to destroy who is ever across the cage from me,” Warren said. “It sucks Dantas got injured as I was focused on destroying him and taking his belt.  But, now I’ll destroy Silva and Dantas can try to come and take my belt.”

Riding a dominant 13 fight win streak stretching over four years, Silva has his sights set on moving his record to 22-3 with the biggest victory of his career when he faces Warren. The Brazilian finisher recently suffered a setback after dealing with a knee injury that required surgery, but now healthy, Silva is looking to take the next step in his career with a World title win over Warren.

“I’m healthy, and I’m ready to fight,” Silva proclaimed. “I know Warren always likes to talk, but this fight isn’t going to be about talking, it’s going to be about who is the better fighter, and everyone is going to see who that is on May 2nd. I’ve always wanted to face Dantas, and now Joe Warren is in my way. I’ll take care of that shortly.”

The full fight card for Bellator 118 is listed below: 

Main Card
Eduardo Dantas vs Joe Warren - For the Bellator Bantamweight Title
Andrey Koreshkov vs Sam Oropeza - Welterweight Semi-Final Bout
Marcos Galvao vs Thomas Vasquez - Welterweight Semi-Final Bout
Liam McGeary vs Mike Mucitelli

Preliminary Card
Dante Rivera vs Tim Woods
Ryan Cotaldi vs Jesus Martinez
Darrion Caldwell vs Joe Pingitore
Lester Caslow vs Jay Haas
Julian Lane vs Anthony Morrison
Pat Bennett vs John Fain
Mike Bannon vs Sidney Outlaw
Amran Aliyev vs Kevin Roddy

Eduardo Dantas vs. Rafael Silva World Title Fight & Heavyweight Tournament Set for Bellator 111

Eduardo Dantas vs. Rafael Silva World Title Fight & Heavyweight Tournament Set for Bellator 111

The Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Title will be on the line live on Spike TV from the WinStar World Casino on Friday, March 7th. The night will also showcase the opening round of the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament.

Reigning Bellator Bantamweight Champion Eduardo Dantas will clash with Bellator Tournament winner Rafael Silva the main event of the evening.  Only 24 years old, Dantas holds an impressive 15-3 record, including three highlight reel knockouts inside the Bellator cage and won’t let anyone get in the way of keeping his championship belt.

“I’ve said all along I want to prove that I'm the true Bellator champion, because being the Bellator Bantamweight World Champion is the achievement of a dream for me,” Dantas said. “Rafael and I are friends, but Marcos Galvao and I are like brothers and I know I had a job to do then, and I know I have a job to do now.”

For the veteran Silva, the 28 year old Brazilian enters the title fight riding an incredible 13 fight win streak that includes 10 stoppage wins in the process. Known as one of the best submission finishers in the sport, Silva knows his time is now, and having the Bellator Bantamweight Belt wrapped around his waist is just one win away.

“I love Eduardo Dantas as a fighter and as a person,” Silva said. “We are good friends and I always cheer for him when he fights. I really like this guy. As a fighter he is as good as someone can be, but I know what this fight means to me, and nothing is going to get in the way of that. Nothing.”

The event will broadcast live at 9 p.m. EST/ 8 p.m. CST on Spike TV in the US. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com beginning at 7 p.m. EST/ 6 p.m. CST. Tickets for the event will be on sale Friday, January 10th and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com or by visiting the WinStar World Casino Box Office.

The event will also feature the opening rounds of the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament. No stranger to the Bellator cage, Ryan Martinez is ready to get back under the bright lights and will take on knockout kingpin Lavar Johnson. Both known for their powerful striking, Martinez will have to avoid the heavy hands of Johnson, who has won 15 of his 17 victories by knockout.

“I am finally 100 percent healed up with my hand and Lavar is a great fight for me,” Martinez said. “He likes to stand up and bang just like me, which makes for an exciting fight and a great opening round. I am just thrilled to be back into the tournament.”

After fighting his way to the Bellator Heavyweight Tournament Final last season, Peter Graham looks for redemption as he faces Mighty Mo in the opening round. Knowing what it takes to get to reach the top, Graham is anxious to make his way back to the finals.

“My sole objective is to stop every fight as early as possible,” Graham said. “Fans should expect absolute aggression and I am looking for the knockout every time. I feel I can beat everyone in the division and I am completely focused on winning the title.”

The heavyweight tournament will round out with a battle of Bellator Tournament veterans as former Bellator Heavyweight Champion Alexander Volkov will face Mark Holata. After being defeated by Vitaly Minakov during the Bellator Heavyweight Championship in November, Volkov has gone back to the drawing board and the resilient heavyweight is eager to get back into the Bellator cage.

“I am ready to get back into the tournament and get my belt back,” Volkov said. “I have continued to make improvements in my game and I will prove to the fans why I am one of the best heavyweights in the world. Nothing will stop me from getting the championship belt back.”

Entering his first Bellator tournament, Blagoi Ivanov looks to keep his undefeated record intact, as he faces Rich “Rare Breed” Hale. Coming off of a first round submission win against Keith Bell in November, Blagoi will put his skills to the test in a fight against Hale.

“With Dantas and Silva headlining the card, and a heavyweight tournament stacked with finishers, we’re all in for an explosive night on March 7th from WinStar World Casino,” Bellator Chairman & Chairman Bjorn Rebney said.

Bellator 111 Fight Card
Eduardo Dantas (15-3) vs. Rafael Silva (21-3) - For The Bantamweight Title Fight
Ryan Martinez (10-3) vs. Lavar Johnson (17-8) - Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round
Peter Graham (9-6) vs. Mighty Mo (5-2) - Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round
Alexander Volkov (19-4) vs. Mark Holata (12-4) - Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round
Blagoi Ivanov (9-0) vs. Rich Hale (21-6) - Heavyweight Tournament Opening Round