Feb 10, 2012 - 10:40:20 AM

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Bellator Bantamweight Champion Zach Makovsky won the season three Bellator tournament to become the organization's first 135 lb. Champion. But with no bantamweight tournament in season four, Makovsky was relegated to two non-title fights in 2011.

However, the organization crowned a new tournament winner during season five, with 23-year-old Brazilian Eduardo Dantas earning a shot at Makovsky and the title. That fight is now set, as Bellator announced on Friday that Makovsky will defend the belt against Dantas at Bellator 65 from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City on April 13.

"Our bantamweight division has been electrifying and has provided some of the best Bellator moments," said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney on Friday. "Zach and Eduardo are two of the greatest bantamweights in MMA today so this should be a really spectacular fight. We always have a packed house whenever we head out to Atlantic City, and I expect nothing less on April 13."

Dantas earned his shot with wins over Bellator tournament vets Wilson Reis and Ed West before defeating Alexis Vila by decision in the finals. The three-fight run moved his current winning streak to six fights, and brought his career record to 13-2.

"I'm here at Bellator to win the Bantamweight Championship," Dantas said. "I plan to not only win the title, but to keep it for many years to come."

To do that, he'll have to take out the supremely talented 29-year-old Champion. Philadelphia native Makovsky holds a 14-2 overall record, and has won six-straight fights inside of the Bellator cage. He's won eight straight overall, and has no intention on slowing down.

"I want to dominate everyone I compete against, but at the same time, I don't feel like I have to make any kind of statement," Makovsky said. "I just want to continue getting better and do the best I can every time I enter the cage. I don't pay attention to the rankings because I feel like that's going to put extra pressure on me. I just look forward to defending my belt on April 13."

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