Bellator Light Heavyweight Field Complete

Mike WhitmanFeb 25, 2011
Raphael Davis (standing) completes Bellator's light heavyweight tournament. | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com



Bellator's fourth-season light heavyweight tournament field is now full, as once-beaten International Fight League veteran Raphael Davis has officially joined the promotion's 205-pound draw.

Davis joins Daniel Gracie, Nik Fekete, Chris Davis, D.J. Linderman, Tim Carpenter, Richard Hale and Christian M'Pumbu in the competition. The winner of the tournament, which is expected to kick off March 26 at Bellator 38, will receive $100,000 in total pay and will be crowned the promotion's first-ever light heavyweight king.

Davis in undefeated in Bellator competition, winning twice for the promotion in 2010. First, the L.A. Boxing product submitted Demetrius Richards in just under three minutes at Bellator 22 before outpointing Tony Lopez four months later at Bellator 34. The light heavyweight holds seven of his 10 career victories by submission, and he has never before been finished in his four-year career as a pro.

“I've been waiting for so long for this Bellator light heavyweight tournament to finally happen,” said Davis in the official release. “I've been seeing all of these other champions get their belts put on them after their fights, and I want one of those belts for myself. That has always been my goal ever since I first started fighting. I just want to win a belt. I want to be a world champion. Now I'm just really excited to finally have that chance.”


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