Daniel Straus vs. Pat Curran III headlines Bellator 112, War Machine returns
If you liked Daniel Straus and Pat Curran‘s first two fights, mark your calendars for March 14.
Straus (22-4 MMA, 8-1 BMMA), Bellator MMA’s reigning featherweight champion, will immediately rematch ex-titleholder Curran (19-5 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) in a rubber match in the headliner of Bellator 112 on March 14.
Bellator officials today announced the fight and event, which takes place at Horseshoe Hammond Casino in Hammond, Ind. The main card airs on Spike TV following prelims on Spike.com.
Bellator officials are invoking their championship rematch clause, which allows them to book rematches (instead of waiting for the losing fighter to win another tournament) when they deem it appropriate. Straus recently won a clear-cut unanimous decision at Bellator 106, though the series is now tied 1-1 since Curran won their first meeting via knockout in 2009.
“Daniel Straus and Pat Curran are two of the best featherweights on the planet and deserve every ounce and praise and recognition they receive,†Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. “Our featherweight division continues to be the deepest and strongest featherweight division in MMA, and I’m very excited to have this title fight headline a huge night of fights on March 14 from The Horseshoe Hammond.â€
Straus, who’s now won six straight and 18 of his past 19, is ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA featherweight rankings. Curran, who snapped his six-fight winning streak during the title loss, is a spot behind at No. 7. Both are among the highest-ranked non-UFC fighters in the sport.
Also slated for Bellator 112 is the opening round of the Season 10 eight-man welterweight tournament.
Confirmed matchups include War Machine (14-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) vs. Nah-Shon Burrell (11-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and “Fight Master†show winner Joe Riggs (40-14 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) vs. Sam Oropeza (10-2 MMA, 2-1 BMMA). Additional tourney matchups will be announced in the coming weeks.
