CHICAGO, Ill. (September 27, 2010) —Bellator Fighting Championships today announced the official fight card for Bellator 33, which will take place at The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia on October 21st, marking the promotion’s first trip to the city.
“We are thrilled to be bringing this World Class event to Philadelphia and to the Worlds,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “On Oct. 21 we have a PPV-worthy super fight between Eddie Alvarez and Roger Huerta, a Welterweight World Title Fight between two of the sport’s most exciting undefeated phenoms, and a host of local fighters on display. This event will be a party for anyone who calls themselves an MMA fan.
Headlining the card will be a highly anticipated lightweight Superfight battle between Philadelphia native and Bellator Lightweight Champion Eddie Alvarez and former UFC star Roger “El Matador” Huerta in one of the most anticipated MMA fights of the year.
In a fight worthy of main event billing, Bellator Season 2 Welterweight champ Ben “Funky” Askren takes on current Bellator Welterweight Champion Lyman “Cyborg” Good for the Bellator World Welterweight Championship. Askren, a 2008 U.S. Olympic wrestler, looks to continue his prolific rise through the MMA ranks and capture his first title while Good hopes to secure hist first title defense.
Another former Olympian brings his talents to Philadelphia as Rick Hawn makes his Bellator debut against LeVon “Da Maynman” Maynard in welterweight action. A 2004 Judo Olympian, the decorated Judoka Hawn enters the fight with a perfect 8-0 record, including six knockout victories.
In Featherweight action, Bellator veteran and World Jiu-Jitsu Champion Wilson Reis battles dangerous WEC alum Deividas Taurosevicius. Reis, a Philadelphia transplant by way of Brazil, is looking for revenge after suffering a rare loss at Bellator 18. Reis lost by decision to countryman Patricio “Pitbull” Freire in the Season 2 semifinals and looks to get back on track against the experienced submission artist Taurosevicius. A jiu-jitsu instructor at three of Philadelphia’s most prominent MMA schools (Daddis Fight Camps, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu United, and Tri-State), Reis is expected to have a large contingent of supporters on hand.
Philadelphia native and Jiu-Jitsu black belt Tim Carpenter fights IFL veteran and New York native Jamal “The Suit” Patterson in light heavyweight action. Carpenter trains at Balance Studios in Philadelphia under the renowned Migliarese brothers and owns a perfect 5-0 professional record.
Former WKA Muay Thai Champion Tuan Pham, who operates his own MMA academy in Center City Philadelphia called Fight Firm, takes on amateur wrestling standout Nick Cottone, who makes his training home at Daddis Fight Camps in downtown Philadelphia.
Two lightweights face off when Eduard Guedes out of Kurt Pellegrino’s MMA Academy in New Jersey puts his undefeated 5-0 record on the line against UFC veteran and New Jersey native Chris “The Story” Liguori.
Local action continues with another of Pellegrino’s top students, Lester Caslow, as he takes on Kenny “The Tooth Fairy” Foster, representing Team Bombsquad in Ithaca, New York. Rounding out the card will be Maryland native Lewis Cassner versus Francis Evans, a local Philadelphia promoter/fighter who is turning pro following an impressive 6-1 amateur career.
Tickets for the event – which will also be broadcast LIVE nationwide on FOX Sports Net along with action-packed highlight shows that will air on NBC Saturday nights – are on sale now at ComcastTix.com