LONDON — (Juli 1, 2016) – Fresh off his emphatic knockout victory over Carl Seumanutafa vid "Bellator: Dynamite 2,” former NFL player Matt Mitrione (10-5) has cleared medical testing and will now face “Britain’s Strongest Man” winner Oli Thompson(17-8) during the main card of “Bellator 158: London," which will take place on July 16 inside one of the world’s most popular venues, The O2 in London, England.
Dessutom, fans will also have the pleasure of watching the always-entertaining British sensation Paul Daley (38-13-2), as he prepares to put on a show for his hometown fans against Brazilian knockout specialist Douglas Lima (26-6). Michael "Venom" Sida (10-0) aims to continue his raging pace and remain unbeaten when he challenges himself against MMA veteran “Cyborg” Santos (21-17), och Linton Vassell (16-5), who returns to action against Francis Carmont (24-11).
In the United Kingdom, "Bellator 158: London” will be broadcast on SPIKE UK from 9 – 10 p.m. BST and Channel 5 från 10 p.m. – midnight BST. Meanwhile in America, the card will air levande och fri on SPIKE at 9 p.m. OCH/PT.
Tickets start at only £40.00 and are on sale now at TheO2.co.uk or The O2 Box Office.
The 37-year-old Mitrione will enter the Bellator cage for the second time under a month, after knocking out Seumanutafa (10-6) in his promotional debut on June 24, in a journey that was brilliantly documented by Chuck Mindenhall. A native of Indianapolis, “Meathead” joined the Bellator MMA team as one of the highest profile free agent acquisitions ever, carrying with him a talented athletic background that includes stints in the NFL with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers and Minnesota Vikings. Mitrione is a 14-time UFC veteran that is known for ending fights early and violently, with nine of his ten victories coming by way of knockout and six of them ending in the first round.
A resident of East Sussex, England, Thompson will be making his Bellator MMA debut after 25 career fights amongst the heavyweight division’s elite. “The Spartan,” who solidified himself as “Britain’s Strongest Man” in 2006, is looking to build off an impressive 2015 kampanj, in which he emerged victorious in all five of his bouts, including two first round knockouts. Sedan han gjorde sin professionella debut i 2009, Thompson has fought under the direction of multiple regional promotions, and the UFC. Vid 36 år, he will undoubtedly make the most important appearance of his career when he takes center stage in front of thousands of hometown fans in the main event of "Bellator: London” på Juli 16.
"Bellator 158: London” Fight Card
Bellator MMA Weltervikt Feature Bout: Douglas Lima (26-6) vs. Paul Daley (38-13-2)
Bellator MMA heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (9-5) vs. Oli Thompson (17-8)
Bellator MMA Weltervikt Feature Bout: Michael Page (10-0) vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (21-17)
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Linton Vassell (16-5) vs. Francis Carmont (24-11)
Bellator MMA Fjäder Feature Bout: James Gallagher (3-0) vs. Mike Cutting (6-5)
Preliminära kortet:
Bellator MMA mellanvikt Preliminär Bout: Michael Shipman (8-1) vs. Lee Chadwick (21-12-1)
Bellator MMA Flyweight Preliminär Bout: Pietro Menga (12-0) vs. Spencer Hewitt (12-10)
Bellator MMA Bantamvikt Preliminär Bout: Luiz Tosta (9-2) vs. Dean Garnett (7-0)
Bellator MMA mellanvikt Preliminär Bout: Jason Radcliffe (8-2) vs. Jack Mason (29-15)
Bellator MMA Weltervikt Preliminär Bout: Chase Morton (6-2) vs. Nathaniel Wood (8-3)
Bellator MMA mellanvikt Preliminär Bout: Alex Reid (11-9-1) vs. Manuel Garcia (27-19)
Bellator MMA mellanvikt Preliminär Bout: C.J. Meeks (4-1) vs. Danny Mitchell (17-7-1)