The semifinal match ups for the Bellator Fighting Championships featherweight tournament have been set with the two fights set to go down at the promotion's sixth event on May 8 in the state of Texas, according to Five Ounces of Pain.
Former EliteXC 145-pound champion Wilson Reis (7-0) will do battle against fellow undefeated fighter Joe Soto (5-0) in the evening's main event.
The 24-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu wizard Reis advanced to the final four by outpointing Mexican fighter Henry Martinez on the judge's scorecards for a unanimous decision win -- the fourth of his career. Coming into the tournament as a former champion and decorated jiu-jitsu practitioner, Reis was considered the favorite to take home the Bellator championship.
With that said, some people were a little disappointed in his performance against the lesser known Martinez. Don't count Reis as one of those people. Here were his thoughts after the first round victory.
"It was a tough fight. I was able to control the fight so I’m excited. It was a little slow in the first round but I think I picked it up after that. It was a difficult kind of fight because I was the one trying to do all the fighting. I am excited to move on. I have to keep working. I haven’t fought in seven months but now I’m ready to fight again tomorrow. I’m ready. I feel good."
Soto made his way into the semis by defeating Ben Greer with some devastating first round ground and pound on the inaugural Bellator event back on April 3 in Hollywood, Florida. He'll provide a very stiff test for Reis in this fight, and will certainly not be just some cupcake opponent.
The two men have contrasting styles with Reis relying on his submission skills and Soto preferring to use his heavy hands and ground and pound game. It's clear Soto will want to stay away from being on the mat with the black belt, but Reis will also have to be weary of being put on his back in this fight. Soto has proven to be very tough to fight off when he takes top position.
It should be a great fight either way.
In the other semifinal bout, first round winners Yahir Reyes (13-5) and Estevan Payan (7-1) will mix it up for the right to face either Reis or Soto in the final.
Reyes took out Nick Gonzalez in the quarterfinals with an aggressive first round submission (rear naked choke) win -- the eighth of his career. Meanwhile, Payan had a much tougher fight on his hands in his first round match up, squeaking out a split decision victory over Luis Palomino.
Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on the upcoming Bellator Fighting Championships May 8 event.
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