Bellator 115-pound women’s champ Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto will indeed return to action at Bellator Fighting Championships 35 on March 5th in Lemoore, California. The kickboxer, who captured Bellator gold last year, is expected to rematch rival Karina Hallinan in a non-title bout on the card.
MMAjunkie.com first reported on the targeted bout, and Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney today told The Fight Show that plans for the rematch are indeed in the works. Frausto and Hallinan first clashed in February of 2009, in a close bout that saw Frausto emerge victorious via a razor-thin Split Decision.
Frausto (10-1-0) had an incredible year in 2010 and earned four wins under the Bellator banner in just four months. However, the striker came under fire from critics after coming out on the winning end of a pair of contentious Split Decisions against Jessica “Jag” Aguilar and the previously unbeaten Megumi “Mega Megu” Fujii. The latter victory earned Frausto the promotion’s 115-pound women’s title, but as previously reported, the weight cut was very difficult for the former Californian and likely had a significant impact on her performances. With a dominant victory in March, Frausto could silence critics who felt that Hallinan deserved the nod in their 2009 fight.
Hallinan (3-4-0) made her professional mixed martial arts debut alongside Frausto in their first bout and many observers scored that fight two rounds to one in Hallinan’s favour. However, two judges dissented and awarded the close bout to Frausto; a result that no doubt followed Frausto into her 2010 Bellator tournament fights. Hallinan has dropped back-to-back fights in MMA, and was soundly beaten by Ai Takahashi in a shoot boxing match in November. However, with some believing that she should already hold a win over Frausto, an upset victory for Hallinan is not out of the question. Should the rematch become official, Hallinan will likely face Frausto at 125 pounds.
Bellator Fighting Championships 35 takes place on March 5th from the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, California.
(Photo Credit: Casper Munoz)