Jacob “Stitch” Duran is one of the premiere cutmen in the world. He works in boxing and in mixed martial arts (MMA) for the UFC, WEC and many other organizations. Cutmen not only wrap the hands of a fighter but work on cuts in between rounds in order to keep the fighter in the fight. He will join us to talk about the importance of a cutman and the right and wrong ways to deal with cuts and swelling.

Next up will be Bellator fighters Joe Warren (3-1) and Ryan Thomas (13-4).

Joe Warren comes from a greco-roman wrestling background having won the 2006 Pan American and World Championship. Since he has transitioned into the world of MMA. He joined Team Quest and has fought in Dream but coherently is fighting in the Bellator featherweight tournament. His next fight is against a former MMA Gospel guest, “Insane” Georgi Karakhanyan (14-1) in the semi-final round.

Ryan comes back to MMA Gospel Radio to join “The Reverend of MMA” Turk Vangel and co-host Gary Freidman to discuss his next fight with Ben Askren (4-0) who he lost to at Bellator 14 in what was viewed by all fans as an awful stoppage considering Ryan was not out from the choke. The first time Ryan was on the show we had a great interview with him and posted it here as MMA Gospel Radio is “The Official Voice of Fighters.com” Take some time to read that interview and then join us tonight.

You can listen live and join in the live chatroom by going to www.blogtalkradio.com/mmagospel. If you want to chat with other MMA fans and get the chance to ask any of our guests questions, all you need to do is take about one minute to register and you can join in the fun that is MMA Gospel Radio.

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?