UFC Middleweight Alan Belcher Marches to Beat of Charitable Drum

Belcher and his team at Alan Belcher MMA are teaming up with March of Dimes and offering their support in an effort to raise money to promote healthier babies during one of the organization’s fundraisers. The event, “March for Babies,” will take place on Saturday, April 28, at The Promenade Shopping Center in D’Iberville, Miss. The 2011 event attracted 500 local residents and raised $139,000. Organizers have set a $150,000 goal for 2012.

“We’re so excited to have Alan and his staff at [the] Alan Belcher MMA Club to help with ‘March for Babies,’” March of Dimes Division Director Jennifer Parker said in a release. “Their passion for the cause and commitment to helping our babies will be a huge driving factor in the success of our event. We are grateful for the time and support they’re able to lend us.”

Belcher, a 27-year-old father of three, will partner with the national organization to raise money for lifesaving research and educational programs aimed at helping women achieve healthy, long-term pregnancies.

“‘March for Babies’ gives us a unique opportunity to help the community we love and to support the important work of March of Dimes,” Belcher said. “[Money] raised will continue to support important programs like the Mom and Baby Mobile Unit, [which] offers prenatal care to those in need.”

Belcher (17-6) will face Brazilian submission specialist Rousimar Palhares at UFC on Fox 3 “Miller vs. Diaz” on May 5 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. Belcher, who has won three fights in a row, last fought at UFC Fight Night 25 in September, when he punched Jason MacDonald into submission in his first appearance since undergoing emergency surgery to correct a career-threatening eye injury.

For more information regarding March of Dimes or to get involved with “March for Babies,” visit marchofbabies.org.