Bellator Fighting Championships returns to Mohegan Sun on April 22; Tickets go on sale today

CHICAGO (March 19, 2010) — The Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn., will play host to Bellator Fighting Championships again this spring when the promotion returns to New England for Bellator XV on April 22.

Tickets for the event go on sale today at Ticketmaster.com and at the Mohegan Sun box office.


“The Mohegan Sun is a spectacular casino and resort destination and was a tremendous partner for us twice during Season 1,” said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “We are very happy to be returning to the Mohegan Sun for this event on April 22nd.”



The Mohegan Sun played host to two Bellator events during its first season: Bellator II on April 10, 2009, and Bellator XI on June 12, 2009 — a show that saw Lyman Good win the first-ever Bellator Welterweight Championship over Omar de la Cruz.



“We are extremely excited to bring Bellator Fighting Championships back to Mohegan Sun Arena,” said Bob Yalen, director of sports and entertainment at the Mohegan Sun. “The events last year were a big success and we are thrilled to continue the partnership in 2010. Bellator always puts together fantastic cards, so MMA fans can expect some fierce battles here in Uncasville come April 22nd.”



The fight card for the event — which will be broadcast nationwide on FOX Sports Net and in highlight shows on NBC and Telemundo — includes one yet-to-be-announced first-round lightweight tournament bout and three first-round welterweight tournament matchups:



- Dan Hornbuckle vs. Sean Pierson

- Jacob McClintock vs. ‘Judo’ Jim Wallhead

- Steve Carl vs. Brett Cooper.



Hornbuckle (19-2) sent shockwaves through the MMA world last August with his brutal KO of PRIDE and UFC veteran Akihiro Gono following a devastating high kick. The fantastic finish went down as one of the most memorable of the year. The 9-4 Pierson, meanwhile, rides a four-fight win streak into the match, with all four of those wins coming via first-round stoppage.



McClintock, a 22-year-old product of Arizona Combat Sports, is undefeated in 6 professional fights, with each win coming via first-round stoppage. He’ll square off against Wallhead, an 18-5 MMA veteran from England known for his judo skills and affiliation with Team Rough House.



Carl is an Iraq War veteran who began training in MMA about 5 years ago at Fort Hood in Texas. He boasts a 12-1 pro record including a stunning submission victory over the previously undefeated Ivan Ivanoff at a recent M1 Challenge event in Bulgaria. He faces Brett Cooper, an 11-5 veteran of the IFL and Affliction who has won seven of his last eight pro bouts.



For more information, please visit Bellator.com.