Bellator Middleweight Champion Alexander Shlemenko (49-7, 10-1 BFC) will be making his third title defense when the promotion makes the trip to Utah’s Maverik Center in West Valley City on March 28 for Bellator 114 as he defends the title against season nine middleweight tournament winner Brennan Ward (9-1, 5-1 BFC) in the night’s main event.
Bellator officials announced the bout on Wednesday. Bellator 114 airs on Spike TV with prelims airing on Spike.com.
Shlemenko will also be putting his 12-fight win streak on the line when he takes on Ward. Shlemenko won the Bellator Middleweight Championship when he defeated Maiquel Falcao at Bellator 88 in February 2013, and he made two successful title defenses to close out 2013. He scored a decision over Brett Cooper at Bellator 98 in September, and then scored a first-round knockout of Doug Marshall at Bellator 109 in November. Shlemenko has lost just twice since 2006 in a very busy career.
Ward looks to extend a four-fight win streak and capture the middleweight crown when he takes on Shlemenko. He scored wins over Justin Torrey, Joe Pacheco and Mikkel Parlo en route to winning the season nine tournament, and all three wins came by stoppage. In fact, eight of his nine career wins have come by knockout or submission.
In addition, Bellator 114 will feature the final fight in the career of Rad Martinez (14-3, 4-1 BFC) as he will retire following the fight to care for his ailing father. Their story was once featured on ESPN’s Outside The Lines, and it has fueled Martinez’ fight career. Martinez reflected on this decision in the press release announcing the two fights.
“I like to think I’ve had a pretty good career and as I’m getting older, I’ve got a beautiful wife and a daughter on the way, the time is right to walk away and focus on being a husband and a father,” Martinez said. “The time was right to walk away while I still have my health, and to be a fantastic father and husband. It means so much to me that Bellator would give me my last fight in Utah so I can have a sendoff in front of all my friends and family. Bellator has treated me so well through my career, and I’m incredibly proud to have my last fight in the Bellator cage.”
Martinez will take on Edson Berto (17-11-1, 1-1 BFC) in his final fight.
