The once undefeated fighter tore his way to a title shot after dispatching some of the best in his weight class, in Will Ribeiro, Damacio Page and Marcos Galvao, en route to a title shot against then champion, Miguel Torres.

Seemingly unbeatable, the Georgia boy made quick work of the mullet-wonder with a swift first round knockout, cementing his spot as the best bantamweight in the world–though his glory and accolades didn’t hold up for all that long.

MMAJunkie.com has reported that an undisclosed injury has prevented the return of Bowles, who hails out of the famed Hardcore Gym, which is run by former UFC fighter Rory Singer, and has produced some of the best fighters in the world, including former UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin.

In his loss to Cruz, the then undefeated Brian was unable to counter the speed and precision that Cruz’ operated on, which advanced striking skills that elude people still in the 135-pound weight class. At the end of the second round, Bowles was unable to answer the bell to reengage in combat when he suffered a broken hand in the fight. The loss to Dominick snapped an undefeated 8 fight win streak.

Brian was to make his much anticipated return to the cage on November 11 at Pearl at the Palms Casino, in Las Vegas, Nev., for WEC 52 against top bantamweight fighter, Wagnney Fabiano.

The search is currently underway for a new fighter to replace Bowles, and it is rumored that former title challenger Joseph Benavidez is tapped as Brian’s replacement, however, no formal announcement has been made yet.

So, MMA peeps, are you disappointed with the removal? Would Benavidez provide a good replacement? Sound off in the comment section below.

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?

 Junior Assuncao:

Cale Yarbrough:

Rory Singer:

In the main event, Stephen Ledbetter (6-1) of “Version 2.5″ Rory Singer‘s (11-8) Georgia-based Hardcore Gym wasted little time submitting Johnny Bedford (4-4-1) in a leg triangle in the first round.

Bedford nailed Ledbetter with some hard shots before taking him to the mat, which was his mistake.

Ledbetter climbed up Bedford’s back with his legs and locked in the choke.

Ledbetter is a veteran of Atlanta-based promotion Wild Bill’s Fight Night and most recently went three rounds in the WEC with ranked featherweight “Big Frog” Jeff Curran (30-9-1), losing a unanimous decision.

On the undercard, an exciting lightweight brawl ended in a slick submission victory for Kamrin Naville (1-3).

Naville and Ben Pierce (3-5) slugged it out in round one; but, Naville took Pierce to the mat in round two and worked an arm triangle submission from side mount to tap Pierce.

Note that Naville had missed weight for the fight.

Light heavyweight “CT” Robert Turner (2-0) of Louisville TKO’d Neal Hayes (0-1) of Atlanta in a first round ground’n'pound.

Middleweight Tony Hunter (0-3) got locked in a guillotine by Heath Davis (1-0) as Hunter shot for a double-leg takedown.  Davis tapped in under 30 seconds of round one.

Lightweight John Cofer (1-0) choked out Lawson McClure (1-1) by rear naked in the second round.

Bantamweight Bryan Goldsby (1-0) won a unanimous decision over Joey Marimberga (2-2) by scores of 30-27 twice and 29-38.

Lightweight Shawn Snow (1-1) choked out Michael Gordon (0-1) by rear naked in round one.