Bellator 44 adds Dan Hornbuckle vs. Lyman Good tourney qualifier

Former welterweight champ Lyman Good (11-2 MMA, 4-2 BFC) and season-two tournament finalist Dan Hornbuckle (22-4 MMA, 3-2 BFC) are set to clash next month at Bellator 44.

Officials today announced the fight, which awards the winner a spot in Bellator's season-five welterweight tournament later this year.

Bellator 44 takes place May 14 at Caesars Atlantic City in New Jersey. The night's main card, including Good vs. Hornbuckle, airs on MTV2.

"Good vs. Hornbuckle is a fight a lot of MMA fans, myself included, have wanted to see for quite some time," Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. "These two guys have Bellator in their blood, and on May 14, one will move into our next tournament, and one will go home."

Good and Hornbuckle both competed in the organization's current season-four tournament. However, Good, who lost his title to Ben Askren back in October, defeated Chris Lozano in an opening-round matchup before Rick Hawn topped him via close split-decision in the semifinals.

Hornbuckle suffered an opening-round loss to Brent Weedman.

Along with Hieron, Good and Hornbuckle were some of the eight-man tourney's early favorites.

"My original goal when I first signed with Bellator was to fight Lyman Good," Hornbuckle stated. "Lyman Good has never left my radar. Stylistically, physically and mentally, we both share the same attributes that are going to make this a 'Fight of the Year' nomination."

Good opened his career with a 10-0 mark, which included winning Bellator's season-one tourney and becoming the organization's first 170-pound champion. However, he's 1-2 since then.

Hornbuckle, who previously competed in Japan for World Victory Road's Sengoku event series, had won 19 or 20 fights before his own 1-2 skid. MMA Junkie