Bellator 43's "Submission of the Night": Chase Beebe

For former WEC bantamweight champion Chase Beebe, his debut under the Bellator banner would likely be a “make it or break it” scenario in his career at the moment.

After earning the prestigious world title in 2007 with a dominating win over perennial top-10 fighter Eddie Wineland, Beebe would then go on to successfully defend his strap against Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rani Yahya, in yet another dominating performance adding to the legacy he began to build at the tender age of 21.

However, after going on a five-fight losing streak to notables such as Miguel Torres, Will Ribeiro, and current Bellator featherweight champion Joe Warren (among others), Beebe would have a difficult time regaining the momentum he once had. He may have put any doubters to rest when he quickly submitted season-three semi-finalist Jose Vega last Saturday.

Beebe remains one of the more notable fighters now under the Bellator roster, so expectations were high upon his promotional debut last Saturday. However, Chase received anything but a “gimme” upon his arrival when he was pitted against Jose Vegas, a bantamweight fighter with both athletic talent couple with knockout power.

In the early goings of the bout, Chase–a four-time high school wrestling champion–gave up several takedowns when he fished for a guillotine choke. Beebe, now a training out of the famed Greg Jackson camp, remained poised throughout the bout despite the early setbacks.

Though he was going to the well with the hold, Chase remained vigilant in his approach and eventually secured the submission hold on his third-attempt leaving Vega no choice but to tapout.

Now, Beebe, 26, finds himself as an entrant into the season-five bantamweight tourney which kicks off this Summer. A powerhouse wrestler with capable finishing abilities, Beebe will now find himself as an early favorite heading into the 8-man tournament. There must be something in the water there in Albuquerque.