Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinalists Cleared for Bellator 71 in West Virginia

The event takes place Friday night at the Mountaineer Casino Resort in Chester, W.Va., and will showcase Slovakian finisher Attila Vegh (204.6), who takes on Dream veteran Zelg Galesic (205), while ex-UFC talent Travis Wiuff (206) locks horns with Season 4 tournament qualifier Chris Davis(204.6).

The opposite side of the bracket will see Season 4 tournament qualifier Tim Carpenter (204.2) collide with Beau Tribolet (204.6) and former MFC talent Emanuel Newton (204.6) square off with Cesar Gracie rep Roy Boughton (205.6). Tribolet was initially expected to face Richard Hale in the tournament quarterfinal, but Hale was forced to withdraw from the competition due to illness.

Bellator officials confirmed the reason for the switch via press release. Carpenter was originally expected to face John Hawk on Friday, but that booking has evidently been canceled. Bellator 71 airs on MTV2 and Epix in standard and high definition, respectively.

The show will also feature the Bellator debut of ex-Strikeforce heavyweight title contender Brett Rogers (264.8), as “Da Grim” faces fellow Minnesotan Kevin Asplund (246.8). Additionally, the evening's Spike.com streamed undercard will offer a light heavyweight rematch between Josh Stansbury (204.2) and NAAFS champion Dan Spohn (206).

Bellator 71 Weigh-In Results:

Attila Vegh (204.6) vs. Zelg Galesic (205)
Travis Wiuff (206) vs. Chris Davis (204.6)
Tim Carpenter (204.2) vs. Beau Tribolet (204.6)
Emanuel Newton (204.6) vs. Roy Boughton (205.6)
Josh Stansbury (204.2) vs. Dan Spohn (206)
Kevin Asplund (246.8) vs. Brett Rogers (264.8)
Jason Butcher (186) vs. Duane Bastress (184.8)
Chris Goldbaugh (189.2) vs. Kevin Zalac (189.4)
Neil Johnson (146) vs. Brylan Van Artsdalen (145.2)

This item was updated at 6:41 ET to include the reason for Richard Hale's absence from the light heavyweight tournament