Bellator MMA's 'Fight Master' episode No. 10 recap

As the 10th episode of “Fight Master” gets underway, we are down to the final four fighters. Two will move on to book spots in the live finale.

With the tournament starting with 32 participants, the stakes are are obviously high for everyone who has made it this far.

The final four participants are seeded, as has been the norm in each round of the tournament. In a bit of a surprise, Xtreme Couture’s Cole Williams is awarded the top seed based on his finishes in the tournament. Joe Riggs gets the second slot, Eric Bradley gets the third spot and Mike Bronzoulis the fourth seed.

Williams gets to pick his opponent, and Randy Couture lets him know it’s OK to pick his teammate Bronzoulis if he thinks it’s the best matchup. Instead, Williams picks Riggs.

SEMIFINAL FIGHT: Cole Williams (6-1) vs. Joe Riggs (39-14)

Round 1 – Williams looks to move inside, which he eventually does, though he doesn’t do much with the position. Riggs pulls away and looks to strike, throwing out a few leaping knees and straight punches. Riggs does some damage from a clinch shortly after, and he’s the better striker to start. Williams gets back inside late in the round and tries to secure the back. Riggs turns in to prevent the advance but does get taken to the floor. Riggs crawls to his feet, and Williams pushes in until the final seconds, when the break apart just before the bell.

Round 2 – Riggs fires a few big kicks to open, but Williams drives in and pushes the fight to the floor. Riggs keeps an open guard and looks for options to escape, but Williams stays tight on top and prevents him from moving up. Williams doesn’t get to land much from top, but he is spending time in the dominant spot. Coach Greg Jackson claims Riggs is winning from the bottom by staying busy with elbows. Whether or not the judges agree will be interesting to see. Williams isn’t exactly setting the world on fire, but he does spend the entire round on top.

Round 3 – Riggs is busy again to open, but Williams gets on the back in the first minute. Riggs eventually spins in and pulls free. As they stat to trade punches, Riggs again proves the better boxer. He sneaks in a knee, as well. With his confidence growing, Riggs slips on a knee attempt. However, he scrambles well as Williams tries to rush in and capitalize, and he stays out of any trouble. Riggs misses a trip in the final 90 seconds, but Williams seems to be fading. Riggs flurries successfully in the final minute before sprawling out on a takedown attempt. Fight finishes there, and it looks like Riggs has done enough. He does, even if one judge disagrees.

Joe Riggs def. Cole Williams via split decision.

Riggs is emotional after the win, and he books a spot as the first tournament finalist. Now it’s time to determine his opponent.

SEMIFINAL FIGHT: Eric Bradley (5-1) vs. Mike Brounzoulis (15-5-1)

Round 1 – It’s a tentative pace to open as Bradley looks for takedown opportunities and Bronzoulis tries to stay away and prep a counter. Bradley teases a few takedown attempts before finally driving in, wrapping the body and dragging the action to the floor. Bradley smothers from the top and eventually steps over to mount. Bronzoulis is trapped on his back. Bronzoulis looks to posture and strike, but Bronzoulis is holding tight from the bottom. Bronzoulis tries to roll and make space, but Bradley takes the back. Bronzoulis turns in, but the round ends with Bradely in a dominant spot.

Round 2 – Bronzoulis opens up to start the second, but after a rushing flurry, he allows Bradley to step inside and again take the fight to the floor. Bronzoulis crawls to his feet, but Bradley stays very tight to the body and controls the action against the cage. Bronzoulis separates with less than two minutes remaining, but he simply can’t keep any space in order to capitalize. Bradley drives in again, and Bronzoulis sprawls and drives elbows to the back. Greg Jackson is beside himself, yelling about illegal strikes. He contends they hit the spine, but the action carries on. Bradley looks hurt, and Bronzoulis pounds away. With time winding down, Bronzoulis turns up the heat, and he gets the stoppage.

Mike Bronzoulis def. Eric Bradley via TKO (strikes) – Round 2

The finals are set, and Bronzoulis and Riggs will meet with $100,000 on the line.

The debut season of Bellator MMA’s “Fight Master” now airs Thursday nights on Spike TV at 11 p.m. ET.