The addition of Baker is a good one for the tournament. He is a former high school wrestler who is now a black belt in judo and trains at Team Wildman in Denver, Colorado. He has wins against UFC veteran “Outburst” Rory Singer (12-9) and former IFL Grand Prix winner “Suave” Matt Horwich (24-13-1).

Baker says his singular goal is to advance through Bellator’s Season 2 tournament to earn the chance to take on reigning World Middleweight Champion Hector Lombard.“I put so much effort into my training that it gives me 100 percent confidence that I’m going to win every time,” Baker said. “Lombard has the belt and I’m coming for his belt. I’d say that he better stay on top of his training or else he’s in for a big surprise.”

This is just one of many additions Bellator has made in their off season. Former Olympian and highly touted prospect Ben Askren (3-0) signed an exclusive long term agreement and will participate in the welterweight tournament. Hardcore MMA fan favorite Dan Hornbuckle (14-2) also looking to make a splash in the welterweight tournament. Other fighters include “The Taz” Bao Quach (16-9-1), William Romero (4-0), Jim Wallhead (17-5) and Mike Ricci (1-0) to name a few.

Bellator is doing what many fans have been wanting to see for a long time. They are taking all the highly touted prospects along with a few well established fighters and giving them a  way to fight one another. I see Bellator as an organization that is becoming the proving grounds for these prospects. They will have to step in the cage, face each other and then look to fight men like Bellator FC middleweight champion Hector Lombard (22-2-1) and lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (17-2).

I have no idea what Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney has planned for the future or where he sees his organization in comparison to the UFC but I feel they could become the perfect feeder organization for Dana White, Joe Silva and the UFC. The only question remaining is if the fans will actually support them and get out to am event.

Last season the events seemed to be lacking fans from what I could tell. I wonder if the periodic signings slowly trickling out is a planned event in order to keep them in the news and to bring in more fans? If so it is a brilliant move. I have seen more people talk about this company in the last 6 months then I did during their first season. If this is any indication the fans will come out to support all the hard work they have put in to the new season and tournaments.

I have my doubts but with four events in Kansas City I hope for the best. The Midwest is a hot bed for MMA with hardcore fans that follow even the most obscure fight organization. My question to you is, will you be attending a Bellator event?

In the main event, light heavyweight Hawaiian Poai Suganuma (9-1), a veteran of Pancrase, ended Jared Hamman‘s (9-1) perfect record in just 15 seconds by TKO.

Brazilian lightweight “Morango” Fabricio Camoes (8-4) knocked out veteran Joe Camacho (10-12-3) at 3:30 of round one.

Undefeated Team Oyama middleweight Givanildo Santana (11-0) remained so after finding an armbar to submit “Luke Duke” Matt Lucas (9-1) at 4:49 of the first round.

Santana’s featherweight teammate Bao Quach (13-8-1) knocked out former UFC fighter Douglas Evans (5-3) 55 seconds into the fight.

Team Oyama scored another stoppage when heavyweight Tony Lopez (6-2) TKO’d Terrell Dees (2-2) at 1:09 of round two.

Middleweight Brent Cooper (3-0) TKO’d debuting Jaime Iracheta (0-1) at 1:30 of the first round.

Rookie Luke Riddering (1-0) TKO’d fellow nube Yasser Pezzat (0-1) at 2:53 of round one.

175-pound Lucas Gamaza (2-0) remained undefeated after a unanimous decision over Devin Howard (1-1).

Roberto Vargas (1-0) tapped fellow rook’ Telly Sanders (0-1) in a shoulder lock 1:53 into round three.