7 Official for Bellator Season 4 Welterweight Draw

Steve Carl | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

As reported previously, Carl is rumored to face former International Fight League champion and Bellator newcomer Jay Hieron at an event on March 5, though neither the matchup nor Hieron’s participation has been made official. Carl joins former Bellator titleholder Lyman Good, Season 2 finalist Dan Hornbuckle, Olympic judo convert Rick Hawn, the streaking Brent Weedman, British standout “Judo” Jim Wallhead and unbeaten knockout artist Chris Lozano on the list of fighters confirmed for the draw.

The 26-year-old former U.S. Army sergeant booked his spot in the Season 4 field by choking out Tyler Stinson in the first round of their August qualifier. Carl holds a 14-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark inside the Bellator cage, having edged out a split decision against Brett Cooper in the Season 2 quarter-finals in April before being submitted by Hornbuckle one month later.

“I don’t feel like I’ve ever been able to show my true potential out there in any of my fights,” Carl said in a press release, “but I think fans can expect to see a more explosive and fired-up Steve Carl than ever before in 2011. What was good enough last year isn’t going to cut it this year.”

Despite having competed in the promotion thrice before, Carl is not the most high-profile fighter in the upcoming bracket. The Iowan acknowledged he will likely have to go through the deep end of the tournament’s talent pool.

“I’m planning on fighting from the top to the bottom this year. I think that the further I make it in the tournament, the easier my opponents are going to get,” said Carl. “I’m expecting to fight one of the best guys right off the bat, so that’s what I’m getting ready for.”

No formal start date has been announced for Bellator’s fourth season, which is slated to begin in March on the promotion’s new cable home, MTV2.