The Weekly Wrap: Oct. 23 - Oct. 29

Fujii Loses at Bellator Season 3 Finale

One of the longest win streaks in the sport came to an end on Oct. 28, as did the third season of Bellator Fighting Championships. Megumi Fujii, who had won all 22 of her professional fights, 18 by submission, dropped a decision to Californian kickboxer Zoila Frausto in a fight to crown Bellator’s first 115-pound champion.

Frausto, who earned her way into the tournament with an upset knockout of Rosi Sexton in June, capitalized on Fujji’s attempts to strike with her early to edge out enough rounds to win a close split decision. Fujii, on the precipice of becoming the first MMA fighter to go 23-0, had difficulty turning to her grappling late in the five-round contest.

The Oct. 28 Bellator 34 card from Hollywood, Fla., also saw Bellator middleweight king Hector Lombard successfully turn back the challenge of season two tournament winner Alexander Shlemenko. Lombard came out explosive as per usual, but the Russian weathered the storm. Lombard slowed significantly down the stretch of the five-round contest, but dictated the action enough to take 49-46 scorecards across the board.

With the win, Lombard becomes the first Bellator champion to successfully defend his title against a tournament winner. He challenged Strikeforce champion Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza after the win. It’s become a trend for Bellator champs, as CEO Bjorn Rebney has discussed publicly his attempts to match Eddie Alvarez against Gilbert Melendez and Ben Askren against Nick Diaz.

Bellator crowned three champions in its third season: Frausto, heavyweight Cole Konrad and bantamweight Zach Makovsky. Season four is expected to start in December and feature tournaments in the welterweight, featherweight, lightweight and middleweight divisions.

Rebney said there are plans in place for seasons six and beyond, and that the chronic Fox Sports Net preemptions that make the promotion difficult to follow on television would be resolved next season.