Josh Shockley Tapped as Late Opponent for Toby Imada at Bellator 36

Filed under: Bellator, NewsIt’s been a long time coming for Josh Shockley’s debut with Bellator. On Friday, his past tough luck paid off.

Shockley (6-0-1), an Indiana-based lightweight scheduled for a prelim fight at Bellator 36 in Shreveport, La., o…

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Josh ShockleyIt’s been a long time coming for Josh Shockley‘s debut with Bellator. On Friday, his past tough luck paid off.

Shockley (6-0-1), an Indiana-based lightweight scheduled for a prelim fight at Bellator 36 in Shreveport, La., on Saturday, made weight for his bout against Kalvin Hackney without issue. Then things got weird.

Ferrid Kheder, booked to face Toby Imada as part of Bellator’s lightweight tournament quarterfinals, was so far off weight he didn’t even bother trying, sources told MMA Fighting. And since there was just one lightweight bout on the card’s prelims, Shockley was the beneficiary of some good news, for a change – a jump from the unaired prelims to a televised spot in the eight-man tournament.

For Small Town Fighter Woodard, Bellator Tourney Offers Chance to Shine

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, BellatorMISSOULA, Mont. – When undefeated lightweight Lloyd Woodard (10-0) heard he’d finally get a shot at the big leagues via Bellator’s 155-pound tournament, he did what any self-respecting Montanan would do: he star…

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MISSOULA, Mont. – When undefeated lightweight Lloyd Woodard (10-0) heard he’d finally get a shot at the big leagues via Bellator’s 155-pound tournament, he did what any self-respecting Montanan would do: he started growing a mustache.

We’re not talking some Brooklyn hipster lip fuzz, either. There is nothing ironic about Woodard’s facial hair, though it is intended to send a message when he shows up on MTV 2 to face Carey Vanier on Saturday night.

“I want everybody to know I’m from Montana,” said the 26-year-old Woodard.

It’s not simply regional pride, although, sure, there’s some of that wound up in Woodard’s Western-style ‘stache. But there’s a strategic element to this, too.