Bellator 98 is expected to take place on September 7, 2013 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event is set to air live in prime time on Spike TV. It marks the season debut of season nine.Fight Card
Main Card (Spike TV)Middleweight Alexander Shlemenko (c) vs. Brett Cooper For Middleweight ChampionshipBantamweight Joe Warren vs. Nick Kirk Middleweight Justin Torrey vs. Andreas Spang Middleweight Tournament QuarterfinalMiddleweight Jeremy Kimball vs. Perry Filkins Middleweight Tournament QuarterfinalPreliminary Card (Spike.com)Middleweight Mikkel Parlo vs. Brian Rogers Middleweight Tournament QuarterfinalMiddleweight Jason Butcher vs. Giva Santana Middleweight Tournament QuarterfinalLightweight Derek Anderson vs. Patricky Freire
Light Heavyweight Mike Mucitelli vs. Jeff Nader
Middleweight Brennan Ward vs. Dave Vitkay
Lightweight Andrew Calandrelli vs. Ryan Quinn
Featherweight Matt Bessette vs. Nick Piedmont
Featherweight Glenn Allaire vs. Rico DiSciullo
Heavyweight Josh Diekmann vs. Parker PorterBackgroundBellator 98 was suppose to feature a Bellator Middleweight Championship bout between Alexander Shlemenko and Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Winner Doug Marshall. However, on August 19 Marshall was forced out of the title bout due to an injury and was replaced by Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Runner Up Brett Cooper.
The Fight Master: Bellator MMA finale between Joe Riggs and Mike Bronzoulis was expected to take place at this event. However, on September 3, it was revealed Riggs has sustained a significant eye injury and the bout was postponed indefinitely.
Dan Cramer was originally scheduled to face Perry Filkins in the Middleweight tournament opening round, but withdrew from the match and was replaced by Jeremy Kimball.
The card will also feature the Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal boutsSep 06 - updated fight card & background