CHICAGO, Ill. (September 07, 2010) — Bellator Fighting Championships announced today that South African born, UK-based knockout artist Neil “Goliath” Grove will take on Russian submission specialist Alexey Oleinik in a Season 3 Heavyweight Tournament Semi-final fight taking place at Bellator 29 from the historic Rave/Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, Wisc., on Sept. 16th. Bellator 29 will mark the first nationally televised, sanctioned MMA event to take place in the state of Wisconsin.
“Neil vs. Alexey is a classic striker vs. grappler match-up that should provide fans with an explosive heavyweight fight,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring our unique brand of Mixed Martial Arts to the great city of Milwaukee for their first taste of world class nationally televised MMA action. It will be a great night of fights.”
Grove literally punched his ticket to the semifinals with a brutal first-round TKO over hard-hitting UFC veteran Eddie Sanchez in quarterfinal action at Bellator 24. With the win, the 6’6”, 265 lbs former professional rugby player improved his record to an impressive 9-2-1 with every one of his wins coming via TKO or KO.
Oleinik had a tougher route to the semifinals, as the feared submission specialist engaged in a three round war with Mike “300” Hayes at Bellator 26. In a back and forth battle, Oleinik managed to remain busier than Hayes, drawing from an underestimated striking arsenal while consistently searching for his trademark Ezekiel Choke on the way to the unanimous decision victory. Oleinik brings an impressive 28-5-1 professional record into his highly anticipated semifinal fight with Grove, with an astounding 23 of those victories coming via submission.
The Fox Sports Net event will take place at the Rave/Eagles Club that was built in 1926 and was named to the National Register of Historic Places on July 29, 1986. The Rave/Eagles Ballroom is the largest venue at the club featuring 25,000 square feet and 1,500 seats which will provide an intimate venue for MMA fans.
Tickets for the event are priced at $100, $75, $50, and $35, and are on sale NOW at www.Ticketmaster.com.
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator