Bellator 56 Preview

Bellator 56 is set to take place at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas and features a Welterweight title fight in the main event as Ben Askren looks to defend his title for the first time against Season 4 tournament winner Jay Hieron.  The 3 fight main card also features the 2 semi final bouts in the Heavyweight Tournament.

Main Event
Welterweight Championship

Ben Askren vs Jay Hieron

8-0 Record 22-4

27 Age 35

171 Weight 171

5'10 Height 5'11

71" Reach 73"

How they got here: The undefeated Askren is looking to defend his Welterweight title for the 2nd time and is coming off a non title fight win against Nick Thompson at Bellator 40.  Hieron is coming off his Season 4 tournament win to earn the title shot with the final victory being over Rick Hawn, overall Hieron has won 10 in a row a streak that dates back 4 years.

What to expect: No reason to expect Askren to do anything differently than what got him here in the first place and that is wrestle.  For Hieron to win he will need to keep this fight standing and not get put on his back for all 3 rounds.  That is easier said than done against a guy with the level of Wrestling Askren has, Heiron very well be Askren's best opponent to date but it's still Askren's fight to lose.

My Prediction: Askren by Decision

Heavyweight Tournament Semi Final

Neil Grove vs Thiago Santos

11-4-1 Record 9-1

40 Age 24

265.5 Weight 263

6'6 Height 6'3

78" Reach N/A

How they got here: Both fighters are stepping in for injured fighters as Santos first replaced Mike Hayes while Grove recently replaced Blagoi Ivanov.  Santos got him self back into the tournament with a win over  Josh Burns after visa issues originally forced him out of the tournament.  Grove meanwhile lost a split decision to Mike Hayes in a quarter final bout.

What to expect: Santos is more than able to avoid Grove's striking and get the fight to the ground.  If/when the fight gets to the ground is where Santos could really take over and get Grove in alot of trouble with his submission skills.

My Prediction: Santos by Submission 1st Round

Heavyweight Tournament Semi Final

Eric Prindle vs Ron Sparks

8-1 Record 8-0

35 Age 36

265.5 Weight 263

6'5 Height 6'5

N/A Reach N/A

How they got here:  Sparks earned his place in the semi finals by defeating Mark Holota in the quarter finals by TKO and has won his first 3 bouts in Bellator.  Prindle got by Abe Wager in his quarter final bout and has won 6 fights in a row.

What to expect: A slugfest is the most likely scenario and with Sparks having the better of the striking between the two it Prindle could see his night end early.

My Prediction: Sparks by TKO 1st Round

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