2010 Bellator Lightweight Tournament Winner Pat Curran

EnergyRush Team Member Pat Curran wins the 2010 Bellator Lightweight Tournament. By Damon Martin/MMAWeekly.com He was an underdog when the Bellator Fighting Championships lightweight tournament started, but now Pat Curran is $100,000 richer and gets a shot at Eddie Alvarez later this year after defeating Toby Imada on Thursday night.

The young fighter first brought to prominence as a fighter on the TapouT reality show and nicknamed “Paddy Mike” by the crew, has grown up a lot in the last few weeks. Curran first hit the main stage when he defeated earlier tournament favorite Roger Huerta in his semifinal match-up, before moving on to face Imada this week. Toby Imada, last year’s lightweight runner-up, held his own in the fight, but struggled to get Curran to the mat or keep him there on the few occasions he could get the Indian based fighter down. The fighters traded big shots early and often, making every round a tough call for the judges. The third round may have been the only decisive round with Curran tagging Imada with a big left hook that opened Imada up, and a steady stream of blood began flowing over his eye. The round continued with more back and forth, but Imada looked like the more damaged fighter when it was over. The judges scorecards all read 29-28, but two judges saw the fight go Pat Curran’s way and he was declared the winner by split decision, and is now the season 2 Bellator lightweight champion. Curran will now enjoy a little down time before being scheduled for a shot at current Bellator champion and top ten lightweight, Eddie Alvarez, later this year. For all the latest MMA news, go to MMAWeekly.com