"We the People!" had a strong showing at the Bellator 214 card. Jack Hager is better known as former WWE pro wrestler Jack Swagger. He's spent the last 18 month preparing for his entry into professional MMA. Leading into the fight, he has seemed confident, loose, and relaxed. Maybe that's because he has been involved in wrestling since the young age of 5.
Swagger entered the ring with some great graphics work showing "We the People!" on the big screen. He was accompanied by WWE's R-Truth, aka Ron Killings, who rapped his song "That's Endurance," on the way to the ring. Props to Bellator for allowing a little more WWEish "sports entertainment" on the ring entrance.
This Heavyweight bout was his first pro MMA fight, and it seems Bellator is easing Swagger into the fold. His first match was against J.W. Kiser, who was at a size and age disadvantage, sporting a record of 1-1. There is a 5 year age difference, 6" height difference, and 14 lb. weight difference, all in the favor of Swagger.
The match was very short and ended early at 2:09 in the first round. Swagger pressed forward from the center of the cage, taking Kiser to the fence. 30 seconds in he lands the takedown. After a brief attempt to pass and some ground an pound, Swagger locks up the head & arm triangle while still stuck in half-guard. The tap quickly came after.
This was definitely an enhancement match for Swagger and Bellator. My guess is they will slowly build the star and increase the level of competition he faces each bout. This will be interesting to keep an eye on. We have seen both ends of the pro wrestling-MMA spectrum while watching CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Josh Barnett, among others.
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