Bellator Predictions: Bellator 56 Preview & Predictions

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Pro Fighting Fans is the home of Bellator MMA fans across the globe and we now bring you the best place to find the latest Bellator news as well as the latest preview & predictions. Bellator Fighting Championships 56 will take place on Saturday, October 29, 2011 and our Bellator predictions & fight previews will be posted below for MMA fans across the globe to enjoy. Check out the Bellator 56 results and buy Bellator MMA tickets online here through Pro Fighting Fans!

Thiago Silva vs. Neil Grove

Six foot three inch Brazilian submission specialist Thiago Silva (9-1) will take on UFC veteran Neil “Goliath” Grove (11-4-1) in a Bellator Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal Bout at Bellator 56.

Silva is a four-year veteran of mixed martial arts who fights out of the Top Brother team in his native Brazil. The Rio de Janeiro born Silva won his first six bouts while fighting in regional promotions throughout Russia and Brazil. His only career loss came in the Mayor’s Cup Final against Alexey Olenik in 2009. Since that loss, however Santos has posted three consecutive victories. Two wins came while fighting for the top Brazilian promotion, Amazon Fight, and his most recent victory came in his United States debut. At Bellator 53 earlier this month, Santos defeated Josh Burns via 1 st round submission.

Grove, 40, is a South African born mixed martial artist who now fights out of London, England. “Goliath” made his professional debut in 2006 and won seven of his first eight while fighting for the Ultimate Challenge MMA and Cage Rage organizations in England. He earned a spot on the UFC 95 fight card but lost in his only octagon appearance by submission against Mike Ciesnolevicz. After his February 2009 octagon defeat, Grove fought twice for the Ultimate Challenge MMA organization before signing with Bellator in 2010. He lost in the Bellator Season 3 Heavyweight Final against current Champion Cole Konrad but rebounded with a Bellator 47 victory over The Ultimate Fighter 10 veteran Zak Jensen. In his most recent bout, Grove lost in a Bellator Season 5 Quarterfinal Bout this month against Mike Hayes but was given his spot in the semifinals after it was decided that he had to withdraw because of an injury.

Prediction – Grove TKO

Eric Prindle vs. Ron Sparks

A hard-hitting Bellator Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament Semifinal Bout featuring Eric Prindle (8-1) and Ron Sparks (8-0) will determine who advances into the Final for a chance to fight for the organizations’ Title Belt.

Prindle, 35, is an Erie, PA native who fights out of the Death Clutch Gym in Arizona. “The American Soldier” made his professional debut in 2004 and won six of his first seven competing in regional organizations throughout Mexico, Singapore, and the United States. Prindle won his Bellator 40 debut this past April with a TKO victory over Josh Burns and then followed it with another sound victory in the Season 5 Quarterfinal Bout against Abe Wagner earlier this month.

Sparks, 36, is a Kentucky born mixed martial artist who fights out of the Louisville MMA Academy. Sparks made his professional debut in 2006 and won his first five while fighting in small regional organizations across the United States and Canada. He then won his Bellator 30 debut in September 2010 with a KO victory over Greg Maynard and followed that with a Bellator 43 submission win over Vince Lucero this past May. Sparks advanced into the semifinals earlier this month at Bellator 52 after finishing Mark Holata with a 1 st round KO.

Prediction – Sparks KO

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Ben Askren vs. Jay Hieron

Bellator Welterweight Champion Ben Askren (8-0) will defend his belt for the first time against his toughest opponent to date when he meets UFC/WEC/IFL veteran Jay Hieron (22-4) in the Bellator 56 main event.

Askren, 27, is a Cedar Rapids, Iowa native who fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Roufasport with famed trainer Duke Roufus. After closing the door on his successful amateur wrestling career, Askren debuted in 2009 and won his first three bouts while fighting in small regional promotions throughout Missouri and Iowa. The former University of Missouri wrestler debuted in the Season 2 Welterweight Tournament where he won three straight bouts, two over Ryan Thomas and one over Dan Hornbuckle to advance to his Championship bout against then-Champion Lyman Good. Askren dominated Good at Bellator 33 last October winning via unanimous decision to become the new Bellator 170-pound Champ. Since becoming the Champion, Askren has defeated Nick Thompson in a non-title fight at Bellator 40 this past April with yet another unanimous decision victory.

Hieron, 35, is a New York born mixed martial artist who fights out of Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada. Also a collegiate wrestler, Hieron made his professional MMA debut in 2003 and won his first four bouts to earn a contract from the UFC. Hieron lost a pair of bouts in the octagon including a UFC 48 TKO defeat against George St. Pierre. After being released from his contract, Hieron bounced around fighting for the IFL, Affliction, Night of Combat, and Strikeforce promotions. He had won seven straight before deciding to sign a contract with Bellator last year. Hieron easily advanced through the Season 4 Welterweight Tournament defeating Anthony Lapsley, Brent Weedman, and Rick Hawn to earn his title chance against Askren.

Prediction – Askren decision

By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer

Bellator Predictions: Bellator 56 Preview & Predictions

Thiago Silva vs. Neil Grove

Eric Prindle vs. Ron Sparks

Ben Askren vs. Jay Hieron

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