Bellator Fighting Championships put welterweight title on line in Windsor

TORONTO - The Bellator Fighting Championships are coming to Windsor, with Douglas (The Phenom) Lima taking on welterweight champion Ben Askren at Bellator 64 on April 6 at Caesars Windsor.

"The support we have received in Canada has been nothing short of spectacular, so when we had the chance to bring Bellator to Windsor, it was an easy decision," Bellator chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney said in a statement.

Askren (9-0) is a former U.S. Olympic wrestler who is coming off a split decision win in October over Season 4 welterweight tournament winner Jay Hieron at Bellator 56.

"After my fight with Jay, I went back to work the following Monday to continue my training," Askren said in a release. "I made no secret I wasn't happy with my performance in that fight, and now having spent over six months training at Roufusport (Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee), I'm really confident in my striking.

"Douglas is a great fighter, but I don't think he'll be able to handle what I bring to the table."

Lima (21-4) knocked out former UFC fighter Ben Saunders at Bellator 57 in November in Rama, Ont, the organization's first foray into Canada.

"There is no question Ben is a great fighter, and I've been focusing a lot of time on my wrestling," Lima said. "This is the biggest fight of my career, and I'm preparing for it. It's all I think about."

Bellator 64 will also host the semifinals of Season 6's featherweight tournament featuring 145-pounders Marlon Sandro, Ronnie Mann, Alexandre (Popo) Bezerra and Daniel Straus.

The card will also feature lightweight Chris (The Polish Hammer) Horodecki against an opponent to be named later.

Caesars Windsor hosted MFC 29 last April. Lima fought on that card, defeating Terry Martin.