A Closer Look at The Women of Bellator 24

On August 12th, Bellator will kick off Season three with their Women's World Championship Tournament at Bellator 24. The card will feature some of the top talent female MMA has to offer.

The first televised matchup will pit the undefeated Megumi Fujii (20-0) against the top 10 ranked grappler Angela Magana (8-4). The second female tournament fight on the card will see two more top 10 ranked fighters square off in the from of Lynn Alvarez (5-1) and Jessica Aguilar (8-3).

With female MMA on the rise and both of these fights being broadcast live on Fox Sports Net, let's take a closer look at who these women are and what we can expect to see come fight night.

Angela Magana (8-4)

Angela Magana, the number eight women's junior flyweight (106-115 lbs) according to Independent World MMA Rankings, was last seen losing to Jessica Pane in September at Action Fight League in Hollywood, Fla. It seems almost poetic that her return to fighting will be at the same Hard Rock venue where she hopes to defeat top dog Megumi Fujii in order to advance in the tournament.

Considered a submission grappling artist, two of Magana's eight wins are by way virtue of a TKO, which is probably in part due to her high school wrestling and Golden Glove boxing background. Magana has already faced off against two of the other tournament competitors in the past, deafeating Lynn Alvarez by armbar, and winning her rubber-match against Jessica Aguilar after two previous losses.

Prior to her loss in September, Magana was coming off back-to-back first round finishes over Meghan Wright and Stephanie Palmer. Don't think she hasn't been occupied since then, because she's been rather busy filming NBC's new show "Ultimate Women Challenge," which will be hosted by the legendary Bas Rutten and is scheduled to premiere this fall.

Jessica Aguilar (8-3)

Jessica Aguilar comes in as the number six women's junior flyweight. That's two higher than the previously mentioned Angela Magana, which is very fitting,considering the higher ranked Aguilar already has two wins over the lower ranked grappler.

Aguilar will look to continue her three-fight win streak as she faces off against Lynn Alvarez, who is on a four-fight win streak of her own. If one thing is certain, it is that "Lights Out" Alvarez will have her hands full as only one of the American Top Team fighter's eight wins have gone to a decision.

Lynn Alvarez (5-1)

Lynn "Lights Out" Alvarez holds a black belt in Kajukenbo. She has also trained in Jeet Kune Do, Aikido, Tae Kwon Do, BJJ, and Judo. She is also on a four-fight win streak. So if I was her opponent I would be taking this match very seriously.

Alvarez has been able to finish all five of her wins, with four of those wins by way of submission. The only blemish on her record is a submission loss to Angela Magana, which I'm sure she would like to avenge in the second round of the tournament. But in order to do that, she must first get through Jessica Aguilar who is also looking to avenge a loss to the aforementioned Magana.

Megumi Fujii (20-0)

Considered by many as the top pound-for-pound female fighter, it's hard to question those claims with a perfect record in 20 matches over six years. Fujii is the quintessential definition of a submission specialist in MMA as 16 of her wins have come by way of submission.

Only three wins have gone the distance and her only TKO finish is her most recent win over Sarah Schneider at Bellator 21. This should all come as no surprise as Fujii's Sambo, BJJ, Judo, and submission grappling credentials and accomplishments are so extensive, I wouldn't even know where to start.

No doubt Fujii will go into her bout with Angela Magana as the favorite, but in MMA, we can't count anyone out until the fight comes to an end. Look for Fujii to be trying for an early submission. I'd also be looking for Magana to TKO or win a decision over the undefeated Fujii who hasn't had her cardio truly tested for three rounds since 2004.

Fujii should not be taken lightly by anyone, and her last win showed she can finish a fight in more ways than one. That said, if she were to lose, I have little doubt this fight wouldn't be a contender for upset of the year (even with Fedor already losing). For Fujii's sake let's hope Magana is just another vicitm.

Bellator 24 Extras

In addition to the women's tournament, Bellator 24 will showcase Bellator Middlweight champ Hector Lombard in a non-title bout against NFL vet Herbert "Whisper" Goodman. The event also kicks off the Season 3 Men's Heavyweight Tournament.

For more details about Bellator 24 check out their press release here:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/421345-bellator-24-fujii-magana-alvarez-aguilar-set-for-womenstournament

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