Bellator MMA: 2013 Summer Series


Bellator MMA: 2013 Summer Series was the third installment of the Bellator MMA Summer Series and started in June 2013. Mixed martial arts tournaments were held in the heavyweight, light heavyweight and bantamweight weight classes. Instead of the traditional eight-fighter tournaments Bellator has done throughout its run, it put on four-man tournaments.
Originally, the plan was for three events over the summer months with an event in June, July and August. However, on June 23, it was confirmed that only two events would take place during this summer series.

Events

Bellator 96

Bellator 96 took place on June 19, 2013 at the Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The event was distributed live in prime time by Spike TV. It marked the season debut of the 2013 summer series. Randy Couture, Frank Shamrock, Greg Jackson and Joe Warren took part in commentary.
Background
Bellator 96 featured the opening round of the 2013 Summer Series Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight tournaments.
This event served as the lead in for the debut of Bellator's new reality TV series,.
Michael Chandler was expected to defend his Lightweight Title against Dave Jansen on this card. However, on June 2, it was announced that Jansen had to pull out of the bout due to an injury.
Vinicius Queiroz was originally scheduled to face Richard Hale in the heavyweight tournament. Queiroz, however, suffered a knee injury and was replaced Ryan Martinez.
Both Derek Campos and Keith Berry missed weight for their fights; as a result, both fighters forfeited a portion of their purses to their opponents and the matches were changed to catchweight.
Both Seth Petruzelli & Renato Sobral retired from MMA competition after this event.
Results

Bellator 97

Bellator 97 took place on July 31, 2013 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The event was distributed live in prime time by Spike TV.
Background
The card featured Ben Askren's fourth title defense of the Bellator Welterweight Championship and Michael Chandler's second defense of the Bellator Lightweight Championship.
The card also featured the Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Tournament Finals and Bantamweight Tournament Semifinals.
Douglas Lima and Ben Saunders were scheduled to fight in order to decide the next contender for the Welterweight title. However, on June 11, it was announced that Lima had to pull out of the bout due to an injury.
Patricio Freire was originally scheduled to face The Ultimate Fighter veteran Rob Emerson. However, on July 12, it was revealed Emerson had to withdraw due to injury and was replaced by Jared Downing.
The live airing featured the announcement of Bellator's first pay per view event for November 2, 2013 that will be headlined by Tito Ortiz versus Quinton Jackson.
Results

Tournaments

Bantamweight tournament bracket

Light Heavyweight tournament bracket

Heavyweight tournament bracket