Ben Saunders advances to tournament final with submission win at Bellator 53

It’s hard to tell how a fighter will react after being released by the UFC. Some bounce around on local shows hoping to string together a few wins over inferior competition while hoping to earn another shot in the Octagon, others take on all-comers with only moderate success. In the case of Ben Saunders, he’s gone 4-0 with a quartet of stoppages including three wins under the Bellator banner.

Saunders’ latest example of success came last night at Bellator 53 where “Killa B” submitted 50-7-1 Luis Santos in the closing minutes of their Season 5 Welterweight Tournament semifinal scrap. The finish was only the second time Santos had been tapped in his career with the first occurring more than five years ago.

Next up, the talented American Top Teamer will face 23-year old sensation Douglas Lima who flattened Chris Lozano with a right cross in the second stanza of their showdown despite having been hurt himself early in the fight. The powerful shot sent Lozano to the mat where he would remain until the referee jumped in to stop things and award Lima the knockout win. Lima has now finished seventeen of the twenty opponents he’s beaten.

The winner of what should be an absolutely fantastic final between himself and Saunders will earn $100,000 and a shot at the Bellator welterweight title whether held by current champion Ben Askren or top contender Jay Hieron who fight for the belt on October 29 at Bellator 56.

Askren Hungry for Competition in Bellator

Here is the complete rundown of Bellator 53 results:

Luis Nogueira def. Zak Laird via Submission Round 1 (Guillotine Choke)
David Rickels def. Levi Avera via Submission Round 2 (Triangle Choke)
Raphael Davis def. Myron Dennis via KO Round 2 (Left Hook)
A.J. Matthews def. Rudy Bears via Unanimous Decision
Giva Santana def. Darryl Cobb via Submission Round 1 (Armbar)
Emanuel Brooks def. Greg Scott via TKO Round 2 (Strikes)
Thiago Santos def. Josh Burns via Submission Round 1 (Rear Naked Choke)
Ronnie Mann def. Kenny Foster via Submission Round 1 (Triangle Choke)
Douglas Lima def. Chris Lozano via KO Round 2 (Punch)
Ben Saunders def. Luis Santos via Submission Round 3 (Keylock)

PHOTO CREDIT – BELLATOR