BELLATOR NEWS: Imada-Freire, Chandler-Woodard set for lightweight tourney semifinals at Bellator 40

By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Bellator's lightweight tournament kicked off on Saturday in Shreveport, Louisiana, and now the semifinal pairings are set for Bellator 40 on April 9.

Two-time tournament finalist Toby Imada will meet Patricky "Pitbull" Freire, and undefeated three-time Bellator competitor Michael Chandler will meet Lloyd Woodard on the card.

Imada defeated late replacement Josh Shockley when he injured Shockley's arm during a submission attempt. Freire, meanwhile, upset former WEC Lightweight Champion "Razor" Rob McCullough by TKO in the third round of their bout.

Chandler earned a submission win in the first round over Marcin Held, while Woodard advanced with a second round TKO over Carey Vanier.

Bellator 40 takes place from the First Council Casino in Newkirk, Okla., and will also feature Bellator Welterweight Champ Ben Askren in non-title action against Nick "The Goat" Thompson. The card will air live on MTV2.

Justin Eilers  Jon Olav Einemo Per Eklund Jason Ellis Aleksander Emelianenko