10 Bellator Fighters Worth Watching in September

Over the weekend, Bellator kicked off its ninth season with a middleweight tournament and a title match. It was the first of four Bellator events in the month of September.

The action saw Alexander Shlemenko defend his middleweight title with a win over Brett Cooper. We also saw four men advance in the 185-pound tournament in the form of Jason Butcher, Mikkel Parlo, Brennan Ward and Perry Filkins.

Moving forward, let's take a look at 10 Bellator fighters worth watching in the month of September. 

Patricio Freire

Weight class: Featherweight

Record: 18-2

Opponent: Diego Nunes at Bellator 99

Patricio Freire looks to avoid the fate of his brother, Patricky, who lost on Saturday to Derek Anderson.

Freire is one of the poster boys of Bellator and is looking to get back into the title picture. He is participating in the stacked featherweight tournament, which includes Shahbulat Shamhalaev, Joe Taimanglo and opponent Diego Nunes.

Freire is a top-15, if not a top-10 featherweight in the world. He possesses a combination of power striking and a black-belt-level ground game.

Shahbulat Shamhalaev/Akop Stepanyan

Weight class: Featherweight

Record: 12-2-1 (Shamhalaev) and 13-5 (Stepanyan)

Opponent: Each other at Bellator 99

Two Russian featherweights are set to meet in the featherweight tournament at Bellator 99 when Shahbulat Shamhalaev fights Akop Stepanyan. Whoever wins this fight will be a big threat to win the tournament.

Both men have TNT in their hands, which means this will be a fun striking bout. Shamhalaev did win one tournament already, but failed to take the title off Pat Curran.

Both men have combined for 13 career knockouts in 25 wins. 

Blagoi Ivanov

Weight class: Heavyweight

Record: 7-0

Opponent: Manny Lara at Bellator 99

If you are looking for a feel-good story, look no further than Bulgarian Blagoi Ivanov. He is returning to the cage for the first time since a stabbing incident last year that almost claimed his life.

Ivanov is one of Bellator's best heavyweight prospects and brings a great all-around style to the cage. He has gone to decision just once, choosing knockouts and submissions over the scorecards any day.

He takes on Manny Lara in his return. Perhaps a win over the American will put him in the Season 9 tournament, which already includes Cheick Kongo.

War Machine

Weight class: Welterweight

Record: 13-4

Opponent: Vaughn Anderson at Bellator 100

The controversial War Machine, formerly known as Jon Koppenhaver, is definitely a guy worth watching at Bellator 100. He will be participating in their welterweight tournament against Canadian Vaughn Anderson.

War Machine does a lot of talking, but he backed it up in his first effort since his release from prison when he took out Blas Avena. He now must go through the gauntlet that is three fights in three months in a field which includes UFC veterans Matt Riddle and Mark Scanlon, teammate Herman Terrado and tournament staple Brent Weedman.

We will see if War Machine can make it two straight since his release from captivity. 

Matt Riddle

Weight class: Welterweight

Record: 7-3

Opponent: Luis Melo at Bellator 100

All Matt Riddle has ever known is fighting for the UFC. Every single one of his fights took place in the company, but two overturned wins from failed drug tests showed him the exit from the company.

Now, he gets a new start with Bellator.

Riddle will participate in the welterweight tournament, and his first opponent will be Brazilian Luis Melo. "Deep Waters" will now start his journey toward Ben Askren's title in a vital stretch in his career.

Bubba Jenkins

Weight class: Lightweight

Record: 4-0

Opponent: Larue Burley at Bellator 100

If there is a prodigy in the lightweight division, it has to be Bubba Jenkins. The decorated college wrestler has made the transition to the sport pretty well so far.

He is still a little green in some areas, but he is without defeat so far. His striking has improved and he is capable of having fun fights, as showcased in his last outing against Mike Barreras.

Give this kid a year or two. He could be a Michael Chandler-type fighter by then. 

Douglas Lima

Weight class: Welterweight

Record: 24-5

Opponent: Ben Saunders at Bellator 100

Douglas Lima would be champion of Bellator if not for the wrestle-happy style of Ben Askren. Douglas Lima literally beats everybody else.

He main events the 100th Bellator card opposite of Ben Saunders with the winner getting a title shot at Askren. Lima already owns a win over Saunders when he knocked him out at Bellator 57. 

Alexander Sarnavskiy

Weight class: Lightweight

Record: 23-1

Opponent: Marcus Davis at Bellator 101

If not for injuries, I truly believe Alexander Sarnavskiy would have his title shot at Michael Chandler. However, injuries have slowed the Russian down, so he will make another tournament appearance at Bellator 101 by taking on UFC vet Marcus Davis.

"Tiger" possesses a combination of power striking and slick submission skills. His lone blemish was a controversial split decision to Rich Clementi, who also takes part in this tournament.

Keep your eye on this guy. He is one of the many Russian talents that is bearing the Bellator flag these days. 

Rob Sinclair

Weight class: Lightweight

Record: 12-2

Opponent: Rich Clementi at Bellator 101

I asserted that the UFC should sign British lightweight Rob Sinclair about a year ago. He is known as "C4"—and for good reason. The dude has bombs for hands.

He now gets a chance to make a run at a Bellator title when he enters the lightweight tournament. His first opponent will be UFC vet Rich Clementi, who will give him all he can handle.