CHICAGO, Ill. (July 13, 2011) — Bellator Fighting Championships’ Summer Series continues at Bellator 47 on July 23rd when the promotion makes its Canadian debut from Casino Rama LIVE on MTV2. While the Bellator Featherweight Semifinals are sure to produce fireworks, the night features a collection of talent rich feature fights headlined by Ontario native and knockout artist Chris “The Polish Hammer” Horodecki, who takes on former Montreal resident Chris “The So Cal Kid” Saunders (9-1) in a lightweight showdown. Still just 23, Horodecki (17-3) has the resume of a veteran mixed martial artist, including an impressive 12 fight win streak to begin his professional career.
“Fighting for a promotion like Bellator in front of my friends and family is just a dream come true,” said Horodecki. “I had a great fight at Casino Rama back in April, and I’m just looking to build off that at Bellator 47.”
The night continues with local action, as former Canadian paratrooper and Bellator alum Will Romero battles Daniel Langbeen in a catch weight fight. Armed with heavy hands, all of Langbeen’s victories have come via the knockout.
Two lightweights lock horns as Toronto’s own Alka Matewa takes on Alex Ricci, who hails from Woodbridge. A long time veteran of Muay-Thai, Matewa holds an incredible 40-2 in Muay-Thai with 3 career titles.
A bantamweight battle is on tap when former Canadian Muay Thai Champion Syd Barnier meets top 10 bantamweight prospect and Stoney Creek resident Denis Puric, while 8-2 Daron Cruickshank takes on welterweight Sergej Juskevic, who is coming off an impressive victory against UFC veteran Gideon Ray in his last fight.
The local action rounds out as Bellator veteran Bryan Goldsby takes on Bo Harris in a bantamweight tilt, while Ottawa native Christopher St. Jean battles Lee Villeneuve in welterweight action. A bronze medalist at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, St. Jean has had the privilege of fighting in front of the Canadian troops twice in Afghanistan.
“Along with two unbelievable featherweight semifinal fights, our feature fights are loaded with great talent,” said Bellator Chairman & CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Canada truly is a hotbed for our sport, and I can’t wait for Bellator 47 on July 23rd.”
The complete lineup for Bellator 47’s Feature Fights are as follows:
Chris Horodecki vs. Chris Saunders
Daniel Langbeen vs. Will Romero
Alka Matewa vs. Alex Ricci
Syd Barnier vs. Denis Puric
Daron Cruickshank vs. Sergej Juskevic
Bo Harris vs. Bryan Goldsby
Lee Villeneuve vs. Christopher St. Jean
For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow Bellator on Twitter @BellatorMMA or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Bellator
