Bellator Shortens Summer Series; Sept. 7 Event Hosts Fight Master Finale, Kicks Off Season 9

Not only has Bellator reduced its Summer Series tournaments from the usual eight-man format to a new four-man approach, the promotion has also reduced its Summer Series from three events to two for 2013.

Bellator officials confirmed the format to change to MMAWeekly.com. It was first reported by MMAJunkie.com.

The semifinal round of the four-man light heavyweight and heavyweight tournaments took place at Bellator 96 on June 19. The finals of both tournaments will happen at Bellator 97 on July 31 in Albuquerque, N.M., which will signal an end to this year’s Summer Series.

Bellator also has its new Fight Master: Bellator MMA reality show taking place on Spike TV on a weekly basis this summer. The Wednesday night series is a new addition to the promotion’s summer schedule.

Fight Master will conclude and Bellator’s Season 9 will kick off with the promotion’s special three-hour live event on Sept. 7 on Spike.

Bellator 98 hosts the Fight Master season finale, a middleweight title fight between champion Alexander Shlemenko and Season 8 tourney winner Doug Marshall, as well as the opening round of the Season 9 Middleweight Tournament.

Bellator 98 takes place on Sept. 7 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Following a successful Season 8 run on Thursday nights, Bellator’s Season 9 events move to a new home of Friday nights on Spike.

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