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Bellator on Tuesday announced two bouts heading to upcoming fight cards between season two tournament competitors and UFC veterans.
First up is a welterweight bout between season two welterweight semifinalist Steve Carl and UFC vet Rory Markham, which will head to Bellator 25 next Thursday at the Kansas City Power and Light District.
Then at Bellator 28 on September 9, season two featherweight semifinalist Georgi Karakhanyan will take on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt Alvin Robinson in New Orleans.
Carl had an eight fight win streak snapped by Dan Hornbuckle in the semifinals of last season's tournament, but will look to get right back on track against a very tough opponent in Markham. Markham was released from the UFC earlier this year following his second straight TKO loss.
Karakhanyan suffered only his second career defeat in Bellator's second season, having a nine fight win streak snapped by Joe Warren in the semifinals of the featherweight tournament. Robinson, meanwhile, picked up a win in May in Minnesota to snap a three fight skid. He went 1-3 in his UFC stint in 2007-2008, picking up a decision win against Jorge Gurgel but getting submitted by Kenny Florian, Nate Diaz and Mark Bocek.
Both events will air live or via tape delay on Fox Sports Net.
Penick's Analysis: Both of these matchups should provide for entertaining fights. Markham is a hard hitting fighter and will provide for a difficult fight for Carl. He was awarded a decision against Brett Cooper that some disagreed with in the quarterfinals, and Markham may be the better fighter coming in despite his recent losses. As for Karakhanyan-Robinson, that's an excellent featherweight matchup. Robinson, despite being a black belt under Royce Gracie, has run up against some very talented submission fighters who have forced him to submit. Dropping to featherweight may make a difference moving forward in his career, but it should at the least be an entertaining fight for that Bellator 28 card.
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