By Steph Moore

In last month’s Pulse (www.thepulsemag.com/wordpress/2011/08/0811-bellator-where-title-shots-are-earned-not-given), I talked a little bit about the history of the Bellator Fighting Championships and its stars in anticipation of seeing Bellator 48 (which was broadcast live on MTV2) on August 20 at Mohegan Sun.  Well, let me tell you, nothing I could write could possibly convey how AMAZING the live event was ~ so, in the spirit of “a picture is worth a thousand words,” I’m going to let our photographer Frank Poulin’s extraordinary shots of the action do the talking…along with quotes from the fighters themselves.  What I will say, though, is that the next time Bellator comes to this area (check the website often!), GO SEE IT!!!

Konrad

(On standing and banging):  “I did it because he’s known as a good striker. People say I’m one dimensional, that I’m only a wrestler. What better way to show I can stand up and exchange than with the best striker I’ve faced so far. ”

(On the next tournament): “I’m looking forward to it. This was a confidence booster. Obviously I still have my wrestling and ground game. I think I took a step in the right direction. ”

Nazare

(On deciding to stand and bang): “My coach, it was my boxing coach, that helped me. We trained for it every day.”

(On being 10-0): “I’m so excited, my friends, and everybody were here to see me. I just want to try and put on a nice show””

Petruzelli

(On his preparation): “This camp has been one of the hardest and best training camps I’ve ever been in. I did throw a little too many kicks than I wanted but he didn’t take me down so it worked.”

(On the hit that dropped Ricco):  “I saw him dropping his hands when he was coming in, and I just knew my hook has been hitting a lot in training camp. I stepped to the side and it caught him perfect.”

(On the win): “You saw my victory laps. It’s a huge adrenaline rush. It’s one of the best feelings in the world. This fight meant more to me than probably any other fight that I’ve had so far.”

Fekette

(On Griffin): “I knew he was a tough Boston Irish guy.”

(On the Win):  “I’m happy, I’m looking to get my revenge on the guy I lost to the last time I was here, Richard Hale, hopefully I get to see him again in the future. I’m looking forward to it.”

Quinn

(On his win set up): “My coach had myself and Dan Cramer doing basic drills 2 hours a night for 3 nights a week. I saw the opening and I just took it. ”

(On his win): “I love fighting for Bellator, especially here in Connecticut at my home state. ”

Nader

(On taking the fight on 2 days notice): “I only had 4 days of cardio, but I pushed through. ”

(On winning at Bellator): “I feel amazing just to get the chance to fight at Bellator. Happy to get a come from behind win”

Almeida

“We knew he was going to be throwing leg kicks, we trained for the leg kicks, I was trying to throw them back, my trainer says I have very strong kicks. “

(On taking Matsuda’s back):  “Preparation was not as high as I would of liked, if it was I would [have] liked to finish. That’s what I like to do, finish. I was really trying to get my hooks in there, not as high as I would [have] liked to.”

(On the win): “I feel really good because it’s Bellator, not as good because I did not finish, but good because it was a win. “

Callandrelli

(On the crowd behind him): “It meant everything, the crowd and my family. I’ve fought in Atlantic City and Massachusetts, this fight meant more to me than any other fight ever.”

(On the submission move):“The keylock is actually my move, a lot of black belts, they don’t use it anymore.”

(On the win): “I’m in my home state, if nothing else ever happens again I’d be satisfied, if you really want to know the truth.”

Check out www.bellator.com for video highlights, fighter info, a schedule of upcoming events, and much, much more (including the lovely Bellator Ring Card Girls, Mercedes and Jade)!

Very special thanks to Anthony Mazzuca and Shaan Coelho
Photos by Frank Poulin, www.flashwounds.com