This Day in MMA History: Oct. 8

On Oct. 8, 2011, Bellator Fighting Championships -- now Bellator MMA -- went to Miami, Oklahoma, for Bellator 53.

On this night, Ben Saunders submitted Luis Santos in the third round while Douglas Lima knocked out Chris Lozano. Both fights were the semi-finals of the welterweight tournament. In the finals, Lima would go on to defeat Saunders to win the tournament.

Bellator 53 also saw Ronnie Mann submit Kenny Foster and Thiago “Big Monster” Santos submit Josh Burns in the first round of their reserve heavyweight bout.

The prelims saw the likes of A.J. Matthews, Rudy Bears, E.J. Brooks and David Rickels all compete.