Roger Bowling Hoping Strikeforce Title Shot Looms After Test Against Tarec Saffiedine


There may be Strikeforce fighters out there longing for a chance to slide over and fight in the UFC.

Roger Bowling isn't one of them yet. Not when he's still got business to attend to.

"I want to get that Strikeforce belt first – that's my goal," Bowling (11-2 MMA, 4-2 SF) recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio (http://www.mmajunkie.com/radio).

Bowling will take his next step toward the goal of a Strikeforce welterweight title fight on Aug. 18 when he meets Tarec Saffiedine (12-3 MMA, 4-1 SF) at "Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman," which takes place at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The event's main card airs live on Showtime; preliminary-card fights air on Showtime Extreme.

It's the type of challenge Bowling has been hoping for. After a pair of short-notice knockout wins over Jerron Peoples this past December and Brandon Saling in March, Bowling is glad for a fight that will give him a full training camp – and a real test.

"I asked them for a reputable opponent – I want to fight somebody good," Bowling said. "A couple guys, I've fought on late notice and it's hard to get motivated for fights like that. But with Tarec, it's easy to get motivated. I can't wait to get in there with him."

Like Bowling, Saffiedine will come into the August fight on a two-fight win streak – though his wins have gone the distance. The Team Quest fighter, a regular training partner of top UFC light heavyweight contender and former Strikeforce champ Dan Henderson, has wins over Scott Smith and Tyler Stinson since a January 2011 loss to Tyron Woodley.

Bowling said he's anxious for what he believes will be a fight that takes place on the feet against Saffiedine, a renowned kickboxer. And though he'd probably not turn down another quick finish against the Belgian, he also knows a longer scrap might be good for him in the long run.

"It was nice to get in and get out (against Saling) because I probably wasn't in as best shape as I could've been if i'd have had a longer camp," Bowling said. "I need later-round experience because that's what I'm lacking in my MMA career – just rounds."

The Ohio native recently helped UFC middleweight Rich Franklin prepare for his win over Wanderlei Silva at UFC 147. He said having plenty of winning around him – including rising Bellator standout Daniel Straus – gives a good vibe.

And a win over Saffiedine would be the biggest win – and biggest good vibe – of his career. And that could set him on a path that would have him fighting for the 170-pound title. That belt is vacant, but will wind up around the waist of either Nate Marquardt or Woodley after they fight on July 14.

The thought of being around in the promotion to challenge for a title sounds great to Bowling – regardless of what some of his colleagues under the Strikeforce banner think about wanting to jump ship to the UFC.

"They've treated me good, Scott Coker and Sean Shelby and all the guys," Bowling said. "They're a first-class organization and we've got tough guys there, too. The grass isn't always greener on the other side. They're keeping me busy and giving me the fights I need. I'm happy with them."

http://mmajunkie.com/news/29479/roger-bowling-hoping-strikeforce-title-shot-looms-after-test-against-tarec-saffiedine.mma

Former Champ Miesha Tate Meets Julie Kedzie At 'Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman'


Former Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate will return to the cage in August – on the same night the new champion defends her belt for the first time.

Tate (12-3 MMA, 5-2 SF) will face Julie Kedzie (16-9 MMA, 0-1 SF) on Aug. 18. Strikeforce officials on Monday announced the fight booking, which is expected to be part of the main card.

"Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman" takes place at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego and features a women's bantamweight title fight between champion Ronda Rousey, who beat Tate for the belt in March, and former champion Sarah Kaufman.

The evening's main card airs on Showtime, and Showtime Extreme carries the preliminary fights.

Tate took a six-fight win streak into her title fight against Rousey in Columbus, Ohio. The two had built up a weeks-long rivalry in the media, and their pre-fight weigh-in featured a tense moment that needed the fighters separated.

But when the fight rolled around, like she had done to all her previous opponents, Rousey caught Tate in an armbar, twisting it gruesomely before the then-champ finally tapped 4:27 into the first round.

Before the title fight loss to Rousey, Tate had taken the belt from Marloes Coenen the previous July with a fourth-round arm-triangle choke. The Team Alpha Male fighter got her shot at Coenen when she won a four-woman women's bantamweight tournament, beating Maiju Kujala and Hitomi Akano on the same night in August 2010.

Kedzie will enter the fight looking to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Alexis Davis nearly a year ago in her Strikeforce debut. She was expected to get back to action this past September, but had to pull out of the fight with an injury. Consequently, when she steps in against Tate, it will have been more than a year since her last fight.

Before the loss to Davis, Kedzie, who trains at the Greg Jackson camp in Albuquerque, N.M., had put together a four-fight win streak.

http://mmajunkie.com/news/29482/former-champ-miesha-tate-meets-julie-kedzie-at-strikeforce-rousey-vs-kaufman.mma

Ronda Rousey Featured On The Cover Of ESPN Magazine’s ‘The Body Issue’


Strikforce women’s bantamweight champion Ronda ‘Rowdy’ Rousey (5-0) graces the cover of ESPN Magazine’s ‘the BODY issue’.

The entire magazine features a number of prominent athletes, such as New York Nicks center Tyson Chandler, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, the U.S. Women’s National Volleyball Team and many others, who all take their close off to pose nude for the magazine.

The issue hits stands this Friday (July 13, 2012).

Rousey was the only mixed martial arts athlete featured in the 2012 issue.

http://www.themmanews.com/ronda-rousey-featured-on-the-cover-of-espn-magazines-the-body-issue/

MFC standout Lewis retires
Former title challenger left lasting impression with ‘Army’ of fans

Press Release – July 9, 2012 – Edmonton, Alberta, Canada – The longest-serving fighter, and unquestionably one of the biggest fan favorites, in the Maximum Fighting Championship has decided to hang up his gloves for good.

Former light-heavyweight title challenger and 15-time MFC competitor Dwayne “D-Bomb” Lewis recently announced his retirement on his Facebook page. The announcement comes not as a major surprise as injuries have taken their toll on the family man over the past couple of years. Lewis had hoped to fight on the MFC 33 card back in May but hand issues forced that fight to the backburner. Although he had considered taking a run at the MFC 35 event coming up in October, Lewis opted to say goodbye instead.

“Finally making it official … I’m done fighting,” Lewis wrote. “I’ve had a blast. For five years I tried my best to put in as much time as I could to be able to compete. It’s just been too busy of a schedule for me to keep up with and compete with guys who train and fight full-time.

“I’ve met some great people and made some great friends. I’ve won fights that I shouldn’t have won and I’ve definitely lost fights I shouldn’t have lost but they have all been memories I will cherish. Walking away with a 14-8 record, 9 KOs, a 7-fight win streak and a ton of memories! Thanks to everyone who had supported me.”

The ‘Lewis Army’ may have lost its General but the leader won’t soon be forgotten.

“Dwayne was an all-time fan favorite, and a guy who gave his heart and soul in every fight,” said MFC Owner/President Mark Pavelich.

“No one in MFC history was a better professional than Dwayne, and no one was more respected. He was a blue-collar, working man’s hero.”

Lewis’s MFC run didn’t start off with much of a spark. In fact, a 17-second knockout loss to Aron Lofton nearly finished his career for good, but in true ‘Cinderella Man’ style, Lewis rebounded in astounding fashion. Lewis tore through his next five opponents beginning with a 31-second, one-punch knockout of Jason Kuchera at the inaugural Heat XC show.

The impressive streak featured arguably the biggest win of Lewis’s career when he put a resounding stamp on a first-round knockout of Marvin Eastman at MFC 23. Following a setback against former MFC champ Emanuel Newton, Lewis regained his footing once again with back-to-back wins over Mike Nickels (first-round knockout) and Razak Al-Hassan (unanimous decision).

Those victories catapulted Lewis into the crowning achievement of his career – a shot at the MFC light-heavyweight title. But Lewis came up just short in his bid at MFC 28, dropping a third-round TKO via doctor’s stoppage against rival Ryan Jimmo.

Plagued by injuries including serious back problems, Lewis was sidelined for a year before returning at MFC 32 but he couldn’t come through in another comeback bid as he was stopped in the first round by a resurgent Wilson Gouveia.

“To my fans, friends, and family who stuck with me through my five-year roller coaster ride … thank you so much. It has been incredible,” added Lewis.

“Having the ‘Army’ of supporters follow me to my fights, cheering me on, and chanting my name will forever be etched in my mind and heart. Big thanks to the MFC for giving me the opportunity to compete on such an incredible stage. Also a big thanks to my coach, trainer, and brother Sandy Bowman for getting me involved in the sport.

“I’m putting down my MMA gloves and picking up my wife and kids and moving on.”

The entire MFC management, staff, sponsors, and fans bid Dwayne heartfelt congratulations on his career and best wishes in all his future endeavors.

http://www.themmanews.com/mfc-mainstay-dwayne-d-bomb-lewis-retires/

Aggression FC Owner Darren Owen Responds To Graham Spencer Contract Situation


Earlier this week, we announced that Canadian featherweight star Graham Spencer had inked a deal with Aggression Fighting Championship to face Adam Lorenz, another top 145er. We were extremely elated to have put together such a deal, as this is a major fight.

How this came about was that back in mid-June, I received a call from Echelon FM’s Darcy McBride asking me if I’d be interested in signing Graham Spencer. I replied that I definitely was, but I wanted to know the status of his current fight contract. I was assured that Spencer’s three-fight deal with his promotional home was completed, and that he wanted to fight somewhere else. Specifically, they asked to fight Adam Lorenz. I again asked to make sure that he was one hundred percent free and clear from any other fight contract, and was assured that this was the case.

I contacted Lorenz’s manager and they verbally accepted the terms and the fight. We just needed to confirm the date.

I then contacted Darcy to let him know we were confirmed for the Lorenz fight. He was happy, and shortly after I received a text message from him that Spencer has signed his contract, which I have a picture of. It is dated June 20, 2012.

In the following days, Darcy enquired about when a press release would be sent out regarding his client signing with AFC. Shortly after, a press release was sent out. After this release had gone out, Spencer’s old promotion stated that Spencer was on a champion’s clause, which was never communicated to me by Darcy. His response was that he didn’t think it was an issue because he was going to get his client released from that clause.

So, after I was told Graham Spencer had signed his contract on or before June 20th, and Darcy was asking for a press release about the signing, he fails to send in the signed contract, and then proceeds to hold it hostage while he entertains other offers. We had a signed agreement which was used as leverage and then reneged on. This is completely unprofessional.

As a result of what has come to light over the last few days, and the absolute malicious misrepresentation made by Echelon FM and Darcy McBride directly, we have decided that any fighter being represented by Echelon FM or Darcy McBride will no longer be fighting with Aggression Fighting Championship.

Darren Owen,
Promoter, Aggression Fighting Championship

http://www.themmanews.com/aggression-fc-owner-darren-owen-responds-to-graham-spencer-contract-situation/

Chris Weidman derailed Mark Munoz’ quest for a title shot, stopping the contender in the second round by technical knockout at UFC on Fuel TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman.

Following the win, Weidman called for a title shot against UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

From the time the opening bell sounded, it was all Chris Weidman.

In the first round, Weidman secured an early takedown and advanced to side control. From there he battered Munoz with punches and elbows. He worked to set up a choke but Munoz defended well. Weidman briefly had the mount position before Munoz escaped back to his feet in the closing seconds.

Weidman got the fight to the ground in the opening seconds of the second round but this time Munoz was able to quickly get back to his feet. It would be the beginning of the end.

Munoz got aggressive and moved in with a winging right hand and Weidman delivered a perfectly placed elbow on the inside that knocked Munoz to the canvas.

Weidman, sensing the end, followed Munoz to the ground and finished with a series of right hands – too many right hands.

In his post-fight interview Weidman said he has recently been working on that elbow that set up the end of the fight.

“I’ve been playing with elbows. I’ve got the long reach for it. Jon Jones pretty much gave a good blueprint on how to use them,” he said.

Following the biggest win of his career, Weidman thanked God, family and his coaches before turning his attention to who he wants to fight next.

“I want to fight Anderson Silva,” he said. “Every time I’ve had a full training came I’ve got a finish, every single time. Give me a full training camp and I’d love a shot at the man, Anderson Silva. I really think I can do pretty good. Give me a shot, please.”

With the destruction of Mark Munoz, he may very well get that title shot.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-on-fuel-tv-4-results-weidman-tkos-munoz-calls-for-anderson-silva

In the co-main event of UFC on Fuel TV 4 on Wednesday night in San Jose, Calif., James Te Huna scored a big decision victory over the returning Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran. Beltran showed his never-say-die fighting style, but Te Huna’s accumulation of punches and takedowns were just too much for the Mexicutioner.

Round one was all Te Huna. He landed a vicious left hook towards the end of the round that put Beltran on the canvas, and then opened up with huge ground and pound. Beltran, however, was able to get back to his feet. In the closing seconds, Te Huna blasted Beltran with hard lefts and rights against the cage, but couldn’t finish him off.

In the second round, Beltran started showing signs of life, but Te Huna was still in clear control. He outboxed Beltran for much of the round and scored a solid takedown. Beltran was able to finally mount some offense of his own, rocking Te Huna with a jab in the dying seconds of round.

Beltran tried to mount a comeback in round three, but it wasn’t enough. Te Huna would score with almost every takedown he attempted, even despite Beltran being able to scramble to his feet. Later on though, Beltran countered a leg kick from Te Huna with a big takedown and, as Te Huna scrambled, Beltran landed a hard elbow. Both men were clearly fatigued, but closed the round swinging for the fences.

The three judges Octagonside scored the bout 30-26, 30-27, 30-27, all in favor of James Te Huna.

After the decisive win over Beltran, Te Huna improves his UFC record to 4-1 in the light heavyweight division.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-on-fuel-4-results-james-te-huna-derails-joey-beltrans-ufc-return

Aaron “A-Train” Simpson got back on the right track in his welterweight debut with a win over Kenny Robertson at UFC on Fuel TV 4.

The opening stanza was competitive with each landing shots, but Simpson takedowns won him the round.

Simpson began to take over in the second round with his ability to get the fight to the canvas and control Robertson from there. He secured an early takedown and took Robertson’s back and pounded away with right hands.

The third round saw more of the same. Robertson couldn’t fend off Simpson’s takedowns and that was the story of the fight in a nutshell. Simpson poured on the strikes in the closing seconds but was unable to get the stoppage. All three judges scored the bout for Simpson by unanimous decision.

“This was the first cut (to welterweight). I’ve got to get used to it. I’ve got to get used to these guys’ speed,” said Simpson following his welterweight debut.

“He was a scrappy dude. My hat’s off to him,” said Simpson about his opponent, but he was critical of his own performance.

“I’ve just got to prepare better, I think. I’ll be better. I’ll perform better,” he said. “I’ve got to finish guys here at this weight. That’s what this business is built on and I want to be one of those athletes. It’s just a matter of putting the work in. The weight went great. I’ve just got to be a little better out there.”

The win was Simpson’s tenth fight inside the UFC Octagon. He’s amassed a 7-3 UFC record and is now undefeated at 170 pounds.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-on-fuel-tv-4-results-simpson-wins-welterweight-debut

After a back and forth submission exchange in the first round, Tristar gym middleweight Francis Carmont was able to score a second-round rear-naked-choke finish over Karlos Vemola at UFC on Fuel TV 4 in San Jose, Calif., on Wednesday night.

Vemola started round 1 off with a bodylock takedown. Carmont then utilized the butterfly guard to sweep and get back to his feet. As Carmont got back up, Vemola went for the neck and decided to drop down for an arm-in guillotine but Carmont escaped. Carmont then transitioned from side control to full mount with a keylock attempt, but Vemola got back to his feet and would attempt another arm in guillotine at the end of the round.

In round two, Vemola ate a front kick to the jaw early, but managed to get a takedown. It was Carmont, however, who countered with the crucifix position. From the cruxifix, Carmont kept the arm trapped and then transitioned to the rear naked choke.

Referee Josh Rosenthal stops the bout at 1:39 in the second round, awarding Carmont the submission by way of rear naked choke.

Now going 3-0 in the UFC’s middleweight division with the win over Vemola, Carmont feels it’s his time to step up and fight with the upper echelon of the division.

“I’m very happy to win this fight because it’s only my third fight in the UFC,” Carmont said post-fight. “I want to fight the best in the division. I had a very tough opponent my way, but I know where I want to go. I want to fight the top fighters in the division.”

http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-on-fuel-tv-4-results-francis-carmont-submits-karlos-vemola

“A Lotta Late!” UFC Pres Dana White Critical of Munoz vs. Weidman’s Late Stoppage


Fighter safety is solely in the hands of the referee while inside the cage during any combat sport, and referee Josh Rosenthal failed Mark Munoz at UFC on Fuel TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman on Wednesday night, according to UFC president Dana White.

During the second round of the main event, Munoz unloaded a wild right hand and in the process was caught by a well-placed, right elbow by Chris Weidman that hurt the middleweight contender. Munoz fell to the canvas and Weidman followed him. Weidman delivered several unanswered blows before referee Rosenthal stepped in to stop the slaughter.

Munoz was face down on the canvas eating right hand after right hand, unable to defend himself.

The referee’s primary objective is to protect the competitors, but on Wednesday, a referee failed a fighter in the main event on Fuel TV.

“It was a bad stoppage,” said White in a Fuel TV interview following the event.

He declared Rosenthal’s stoppage as, “A lotta late.” He continued, “I hate that. It drives me crazy. How you can be standing like this looking down at a guy getting hammered like that and not think the fight needs to be stopped?”

There’s little argument from anyone who has seen the footage that Munoz endured unnecessary damage.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/a-lotta-late-ufc-pres-dana-white-critical-of-munoz-vs-weidmans-late-stoppage

The UFC and Strikeforce earlier this week held their fourth Fighter Summit in Las Vegas where company officials and special guests worked to educate fighters on a number of issues from health insurance to dealing with the press to social media and numerous other topics.

One of the key points hit on at the Fighter Summit was the UFC’s new formalized written policy against performance enhancing drugs and other banned substances.

Lawrence Epstein, the company’s Executive Vice-President and General Counsel, explained the written policy is a continuation of existing policy, and that both promotions will follow guidelines drafted by the same law firm that advises the National Football League on PEDs.

“It is important to continue educating our athletes on the dangers of PEDs and other banned substances,” said Epstein. “Additionally, no new UFC or Strikeforce promotional agreement will become effective before the athlete has provided a clean PED test result.

“PED and banned substance usage harms the integrity of sport, potentially compromises the safety of our athletes, raises concerns for both short and long-term health issues and sends an improper message to our fanbase. We will continue to be at the forefront of this issue. And we will continue to work with Athletic Commissions and other bodies to ensure – to the fullest extent possible – that testing procedure keep pace with scientific advancements regarding the identification and detection of prohibited substances.”

The promotions’ medical consultant, Dr. Jeff Davidson, then spoke to the athletes about both the short and long-term medical effects of PEDs. Dr. Davidson discussed the topical Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and Keith Kizer, the Executive Director of the Nevada Athletic Commission, detailed the laws and regulations pertaining to PEDs and TRT.

The UFC has been under heavy scrutiny over how it deals with fighters and drug testing over the past year with detractors constantly saying that the company can do more. A written policy doesn’t constitute the stringent out-of-competition random testing that is often lobbed at UFC president Dana White, but it does provide a clear policy in regards to an athlete’s responsibility when it comes to drug use and what the company will or won’t tolerate.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-insitutes-formal-written-drug-policy

UFC Hawaii Not Happening Anytime Soon According To Dana White


Hawaii has been a hotbed of mixed martial arts throughout the years. The Ultimate Fighting Championship had kicked around the idea of doing an outdoor event in Hawaii for a couple of years, but those plans have been all but halted.

Following the UFC on Fuel TV 4: Munoz vs. Weidman event on Wednesday, UFC president Dana White said, “It’s going to be awhile (before the organization holds an event in Hawaii).”

Hawaii has produced legends in the sport like B.J. Penn. It has been the home of several MMA promotions that greatly contributed to the sport’s early growth: Super Brawl, Rumble on the Rock, Icon, ProElite, among others.

One of the major obstacles standing in the way of the Octagon gracing Hawaiian soil is Mother Nature.

“I’d love to go to Hawaii. I’d love to go there and do an event,” said the UFC president. “It kind of scares me to be outside. It rains every 15 minutes out there.”

An event in Hawaii seemed inevitable when Penn held the UFC lightweight title, but the idea of an event in the Pacific Island state has fizzled out over the course of the last year or so.

“It’s not in our plans right now,” added White.

As for now, Hawaii has to wait, and as Tom Petty lyricized, “The waiting is the hardest part.”

http://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-hawaii-not-happening-anytime-soon-according-to-dana-white

It's time for Dana, Lorenzo and company to admit something that we've all known for awhile now-- the UFC on Fuel is a failed experiment.

Commissioned to promote their fledgling network by their honeymooning network sweethearts at FOX, the UFC took on the monumental task of not only providing thousands of hours of programming for the little-seen cable network, but promoting it so aggressively that you would think Dana himself has a personal stake in its financial successes. Secondary programming like boutique-shows UFC Tonight, The Best of Pride and Ultimate Insider are just the sort of fare worth offering to hardcores and passerbys on cable TV's veritable ham radio-- providing just the incentive someone that frequents a site like Bloody Elbow needs to go all Charlie-Brown's-teacher on Comcast. Because we are the only types that care enough to frenetically pick up our cell phones and spend an excess $10 a month for the pleasure of watching Sakuraba's greatest hits and Aaron Simpson bumping up against Kenny Robertson for 15 solid minutes.

So when it's fully evident that even promotional features like the Countdown shows are squandered on these limited wavelengths, is it not abundantly clear that full-blown UFC fights are not only wasted on the few eyeballs they draw, but that the equity of the brand ultimately suffers for it?

Some have argued that the Weidman/Munoz fight should not have been placed on this card (oh, we revisionist MMA fans!), but that is not the nexus of the problem. The dilemma is that Sean Shelby and Joe Silva have enough of a responsibility populating the cards of FX, PPV and proper FOX to bother with fights on this 4th rate, air whistling life raft. There are fractured bodies tumbling off of cards such as UFC 147 (147k buys/LOL?) like Lemmings at the control of a sadistic teenager. Fighters are willingly accepting lower sponsorship dollars and chances at low-cut bonuses. And gates are dwindling with passive fans wondering aloud on Facebook "There were fights last night??".

It's time for Dana to stop taking a personal interest in the success of the Fuel Network, and it's time for FOX to stop caring as well. They're now joined at the hip with the value of the UFC brand, in loving television matrimony, and it would befit all parties involved to cease with this unhealthy practice. With the UFC aiming to be in more countries and households than ever before and ratings already teetering, it's important to drive home the idea that every event is unmissable, that every fight on a main card has high stakes and that every fighter that has scratched-and-clawed their way into the bright lights of the Octagon exhibits their wares before an audience larger than what HDNet can provide.

No more fights on Fuel, Dana. The honeymoon is over.

http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2012/7/12/3155600/out-of-fuel

Bellator 72 Fight Card Features Tourney Finals, Paul Daley’s Debut


Bellator Fighting Championships is headed back to “The Sunshine State” on Friday, July 20 for Bellator 72 from The USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla. Featuring the finals of the Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament between Bryan Baker and Karl Amoussou, Bellator 72 will also showcase the debut of dynamic knockout artist Paul “Semtex” Daley as well as a bad blood welterweight trilogy fight between Marius Zaromskis and Waachiim Spiritwolf.

Additionally, the semifinals of the Bellator Summer Series Light Heavyweight Tournament will take place as Attila Vegh meets Emanuel Newton and Travis Wiuff will face Tim Carpenter. Also, a stacked preliminary card full of the area’s top talent will be in action. Tickets for Bellator 72 are on sale at all online Ticketmaster outlets as well as visiting the USF Sun Dome Box Office.

After competing in the Bellator Season 5 and Season 6 Welterweight Tournament, Ben “Killa B” Saunders will make his return to the cage as he squares off against longtime veteran Brian Warren. Warren is currently riding a five-fight winning streak and is looking to earn the biggest win of his career when he meets Saunders in this catchweight bout at 178 pounds.

http://www.mmaweekly.com/bellator-72-fight-card-features-tourney-finals-paul-daleys-debut