Bellator Returns to Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on August 12 for Season 3 Premiere Event

World's No.1 pound-for-pound female fighter, Megumi Fujii, plus two Heavyweight Tournament fights headline nationally-televised show

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Bellator Fighting Championships and the world's top-ranked pound-for-pound female fighter, Megumi Fujii, will return once again to Hard Rock Live at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., for the first event of Bellator's much-anticipated third season on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.

The event marks the beginning of Bellator's Season 3 Men's Heavyweight and Women's Tournaments with two quarterfinal bouts in each division. On the women's side, Fujii, who improved her pro MMA record to 20-0 during her Bellator debut at the Hard Rock on June 10^th, will return to headline the show in a quarterfinal round fight with Angela Magana, the world's No. 8-ranked female fighter at 115 lbs.  Then, in the evening's co-Main Event — another quarterfinal round fight — the world's No. 6-rankled 125-pounder, Lynn Alvarez, will square off against the world's No. 7-ranked 115-pounder Jessica Aguilar, a South Florida resident who trains at the American Top Team camp in Coconut Creek. Participants in the evening's two Men's Heavyweight Tournament quarterfinal fights will be announced soon.

"I can think of no better place than the Hard Rock to kick off the action in our third season," said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney. "The Hard Rock has been like a second home to us since our first event more than a year ago and we are proud to be partnering with them again during Season 3 to bring our action-packed, world-class fights to the many millions of MMA fans in South Florida."

In addition to the four nationally-televised tournament fights, the event will also play host to four Local Feature Fights showcasing some of the best up-and coming talent in South Florida.

In the evening's Local Main Event, Miami native Luis "Baboon" Palomino (13-5) looks for his fourth consecutive victory under the Bellator banner – and his fourth straight win overall – in a showdown with American Top Team product and UFC, Strikeforce, PRIDE, and EliteXC veteran  Yves Edwards (37-16-1). Also, 3-1 upstart Tulio Quintanilla takes on 5-0-1 American Top Team rising star Brian Eckstein. Two other Local Feature Fights will be announced soon.

For more information, visit Bellator.com, follow us on Twitter @BellatorMMA or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/Bellator.

Tickets cost $125, $75, $35 & $20.* All seats are reserved and available at the Hard Rock Live Box Office, open Tuesday – Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and on Sunday & Monday – only open on event days at noon. Tickets also are available at all Ticketmaster outlets online at www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone: 1-800-745-3000. Doors open one-hour prior to show start time. *Additional fees may apply.

About Hard Rock Live

Hard Rock Live, a spectacular state-of-the-art facility has quickly emerged as the entertainment capital of South Florida. Attracting music, comedy and sports fans, this 5,500-seat indoor arena further expands the ultimate entertainment experience at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. For more information please visit www.hardrocklivehollywoodfl.com or www.facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood.  

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino invites you to PLAYHARD!  Play, stay, dine, and shop at South Florida's ultimate entertainment destination. Eighty-nine tables offer Blackjack, Baccarat, Mini-Baccarat, Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker and Let it Ride on a nearly three-acre casino floor. Play one of the more than 2,500 Vegas-style slots including the Native-American Casino linked Multi-Area Progressive Jackpots and Mega Jackpots. Separate high-limit rooms for table games and slots, in addition to a non-smoking room are available for guests to enjoy. Loyal Player's Club members may enjoy an exclusive VIP Plum Lounge and VIP Chef's Table show kitchen. Convene in The Poker Room at Seminole Paradise for Texas Hold 'em, limit Texas Hold 'em, Seven Card Stud and two dollar and four dollar limit Omaha Hi Lo games. Located inside the casino is Hard Rock Cafe -Hollywood, part of Hard Rock's 130 globally recognized rock 'n roll themed restaurants. The Green Lodging Certified by the State of Florida, AAA, Four Diamond rated resort showcases 500 luxurious guest rooms, 18 restaurants and lounges, 40,000-square-feet of meeting room space, a European-style spa, auto salon, 25 boutique shops, 12 nightclubs, Paradise Live, and Hard Rock Live, a 5,500- seat concert arena. Located on State Road 7 (U.S. 441) in Hollywood, Florida. Take I-95, exit Stirling Rd. and travel west to 1 Seminole Way. For more information, call (954) 327-ROCK, 1 800-937-0010 or visit us online at www.seminolehardrockhollywood.com or www.facebook.com/seminolehardrockhollywood.    

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