Unbeaten ‘Cupcake’ Woodard Official for Bellator Tourney

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The field for Bellator Fighting Championships’ season four lightweight tournament is now half full, as the promotion today made official the participation of undefeated prospect Lloyd “Cupcake” Woodard.

Woodard, 26, has not yet competed in the Bellator cage, but has amassed a perfect 10-0 record in his two years as a pro. The Montana native has finished eight of his opponents, including six inside the first round, and holds notable victories over World Extreme Cagefighting veteran Ryan Healy and Bellator season one tournament competitor Alonzo Martinez.

As with all of Bellator’s tournaments, the winner of the lightweight field will receive $100,000 and a shot at the division’s current champion -- in this case, reigning lightweight ace Eddie Alvarez. Woodard says a matchup with Alvarez would be “like fighting my idol,” but he will first have to navigate through a bracket loaded with dangerous opposition.

“It doesn’t matter who I fight in the first round of this tournament,” Woodard said in a release. “I’m pretty sure they’re going to be a really tough fighter, so that’s what I’m preparing for. I just can’t wait to get in that cage and show people what I can do. Every time I fight, more and more people are able to see me in exciting fights. The more I fight, the more people will see me, and the longer I'll be able to compete in this sport.”

Woodard joins former WEC lightweight champion “Razor” Rob McCullough, season two semi-finalist Carey Vanier and unbeaten collegiate wrestling convert Michael Chandler on the list of fighters confirmed for the eight-man draw. Other participants expected to be announced are Toby Imada, Ferrid Kheder, Marcin Held and Patricky Freire.

Quarterfinal matchups have yet to be revealed for the tournament, which is expected to begin in March.

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