Hieron-Askren, Heavyweight Semifinals Ticketed for Bellator 56

Sherdog.com confirmed the pairing with a source close to the event who also revealed that Bellator 56 will emanate from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan. Additionally, Sherdog.com has learned that the Season 5 heavyweight tournament semifinals will also highlight the evening’s main draw, which airs on MTV2 in standard definition and EPIX in high-def. MMAJunkie.com first reported the Hieron-Askren matchup on Thursday.

The heavyweight tournament quarterfinals kick off Oct. 1 at the L’Auberge du Lac Casino Resort in Lake Charles, La. The tournament’s opening round will see Mark Holata take on Ron Sparks, Neil Grove square off with Mike Hayes, Blagoi Ivanov lock horns with Thiago Santos and Eric Prindle toe the line against Abe Wagner.

Askren (Pictured, File Photo) has yet to taste defeat as a professional. The 27-year-old All-American wrestler from the University of Missouri has used superior takedowns and top control to earn five consecutive wins in the circular Bellator cage, winning the promotion’s second season welterweight tournament and then outpointing Lyman Good to win the world title. Most recently, Askren took home a unanimous decision over UFC veteran Nick Thompson in a non-title super fight at Bellator 40 in April.

Hieron, 35, has not lost since 2007 and enters his title fight with Askren riding a 10-fight winning streak that dates back to his days as International Fight League welterweight king. Like his foe, “The Thoroughbred” is also perfect through his Bellator career, as the eight-year professional notched three straight wins in the spring to capture the Season 4 welterweight tournament crown and earn a guaranteed title shot against Askren.