CHICAGO, Ill. (January 17th, 2011) —Bellator Fighting Championships will welcome back one of its own as three time Bellator competitor Steve “The Wildman” Carl has been confirmed for Bellator’s upcoming Season 4 Welterweight Tournament, airing in March on MTV2. Carl secured his spot in the tournament with an impressive first round submission of Tyler Stinson (Watch Here: http://bit.ly/fel9qC) at Bellator 26 and is currently the seventh competitor confirmed for the eight man competition, with Dan “The Handler” Hornbuckle, Rick Hawn, Brent Weedman, Jim Wallhead, Chris “The Assassin” Lozano, and Lyman “Cyborg” Good already confirmed.
Carl, 26, a former U.S. Army sergeant who served in the Iraq War, took up MMA about six years ago while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, and has since compiled an impressive professional record of 14-2, including nine decisive submission victories. Now dedicated to MMA full time, Carl has notched nine victories in his last ten outings and firmly believes 2011 will be a breakout year.
“I don’t feel like I’ve ever been able to show my true potential out there in any of my fights, but I think fans can expect to see a more explosive and fired-up Steve Carl than ever before in 2011,” said the powerful welterweight. “What was good enough last year isn’t going to cut it this year.”
Based on Carl’s past, it would be easy for anyone to be content with fighting for a Bellator Championship. In December 2006, Carl was involved in a horrific car crash on an icy Iowa road that shattered his right leg and left doctors questioning whether he would ever walk again without the use of a cane. His career in fighting, they said, was almost certainly over.
“Steve Carl has been on an incredible journey, and I’m very happy to see him compete in this stacked tournament,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Steve has been a tremendous competitor throughout his fights in Bellator, and I expect him to take his game to the next level in this tournament.”
No stranger to Bellator’s unique tournament format, Carl fully understands that he will be facing the toughest test of his fighting career in the Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Tournament, and he welcomes the challenge with open arms.
“I think the level of talent in this upcoming welterweight tournament is phenomenal. It’s really off the charts this year,” said Carl. “I’m planning on fighting from the top to the bottom this year. I think that the further I make it in the tournament, the easier my opponents are going to get. I’m expecting to fight one of the best guys right off the bat, so that’s what I’m getting ready for.”
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