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.
As a result of a leg injury suffered in training, middleweight prospect Luke Rockhold has been forced to withdraw from his bout with decorated military veteran Tim Kennedy on March 5th at Strikeforce: Columbus. Kennedy is now rumoured to be facing knockout artist Melvin “No Mercy” Manhoef.
Strikeforce Welterweight Champion Nick Diaz had a tougher fight than some expected on January 29th, but the brash California native picked up his 13th victory in his last 15 fights when he submitted Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. Diaz edges up the welterweight rankings after the successful title defence.
Four fights are now confirmed for the main card of Strikeforce: Columbus on March 5th. Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion Marloes “Rumina” Coenen faces Miesha “Takedown” Tate, while Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Rafael “Feijao” Cavalcante battles Dan “Hendo” Henderson.
After original opponent Justine Kish was forced to withdraw due to what is believed to be a knee injury, unbeaten prospect Jessica “Evil” Eye now has a new opponent for her 130-pound title match at Ring of Combat 34 this Friday. Eye will face North Carolina native Ashley “No Limit” Nee.
Strikeforce returned to the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California tonight with a pair of title fights at Strikeforce: “Diaz vs Cyborg.” The event concluded with a Strikeforce Welterweight Championship bout between reigning champion Nick Diaz and hard-hitting challenger Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos.
Titan Fighting Championship held its first event on HDNet tonight with TFC 16: “Sylvia vs Wagner” from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The card concluded with a super heavyweight bout between former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia and Nebraska native Abe Wagner.
On October 28, 2010, Zoila “The Warrior Princess” Frausto became the first Bellator Women’s Champion. However, her victory did not come without a price, as the former 135-pound fighter was forced to drop huge amounts of weight in order to make 115 pounds on three separate occasions.