Bellator 50 recap.

Coming to us from the Hard Rock Cafe & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, Bellator Fighting Championships showcased its second card of their 5th season, broadcast live on MTV2 and Epix in the US and The Score in Canada.  Fights featured on the card were from the promotions middleweight tournament.
The main event featured 2 former finalists, in Jared Hess (who lost to current Middleweight kingpin, Hector Lombard in season one) and Bryan Baker (who was defeated by Aleksander Schlmenko in season 2).  Hess took the fight to the leukemia survivor Baker early, securing a body triangle and rear naked choke position early on in the opening round.  It appeared Hess was about to secure his ticket to the semi-finals, only for Baker to survive and reverse into a front headlock position of his own, attempting a side choke on several occasions and nearly making Hess tap before the bell sounded as the round ended.
Hess never seemed to be in the fight from that point on, as he was visibly exhausted, and Baker (though exhausted himself) pounced on his opponent, attempting submission attempts and having his opponents back to end round 2.  After securing Hess' back yet again in the final frame, Baker teed off on Hess with several shots while Hess was sprawled out stomach down, forcing the ref to stop the match at the 2:52 mark of round 3. Baker, who again had survived cancer and put his career on hold for 2 years, improves to 16-2 in his MMA career.
The co-main event featured Bellator newcomers Brian Rogers and Victor O'Donnell.  After several non-threatening exchanges with fighters feeling each other out,  Rogers threw a high kick that was ducked under by the Ohio native O'Donnell.  A stiff jab dropped O'Donnell however, and Rogers finished up with several hammerfists and advanced to the semi-finals at 1:55 of Round 1.
Other winners included Victor Vianna, who defeated "Smiling" Sam Alvey via split decision, and the aforementioned Schlemenko, who defeated fellow European and DREAM veteran Zelg Galesic via standing guillotine choke.
Honorable Mention :  I don't understand how MMA doesn't have a referees union. The referees appointed by the various state and provincial athletic commissions should have a central pool of referees to choose from.  The referees in Florida were atrocious, complete with Troy Waugh's botching of the Rogers/O'Donnell fight.  O'Donnell was furious at the stoppage, and from where I sat I do not blame him. He seemed to be defending himself well, and although stunned he was aware of his surroundings.
Schlemenko's standing guillotine choke on Galesic was incredible.  For a fighter who is more renowned for his stand up skills complete with spinning backfists and roundhouse kicks, it was refreshing for him to be trying new submission skills, and i applaud him for it. He says he'd like another shot at Hector Lombard, and that's a fight i'd like to see with his newfound skills.  Shaquille O'Neal in attendance at Hollywood was pretty cool.  Wonder how he'd do against Hong Man Choi.

Tune in next week for Bellator 51, from Canton, Ohio with opening round matches from the Season 5 bantamweight tournament, highlighted by current featherweight champion Joe Warren dropping down to fight for a shot at being a champion in 2 different weight classes.

Until next time, fight fans!