CODY WALKER STEPS UP ON SHORT NOTICE TO CHALLENGE UNDEFEATED A.J. МАККИ, WHILE GEORGI KARAKHANYAN-BUBBA JENKINS MOVED TO SPIKE-TELEVISED CARD

SANTA MONICA, КАЛИФОРНИЯ (Август 16, 2016) – Just nine days before the highly anticipated "Bellator 160: Хендерсон против. Pitbull” мероприятие по Август 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Калифорния., injuries sustained by main card fighters Генри Корралес и Lena Ovchynnikova have shaken things up a bit. Непобедимый полулегком A.J. Макки (4-0) теперь будет лицом Cody Walker (7-2), в то время как Bubba Дженкинс (11-2) и Георгий Караханян (24-6-1) find themselves in a featherweight feature fight during the SPIKE-televised main card.

The fights join a main card that spotlights a super fight at 155-pounds between Бенсон Хендерсон (23-6) и Патрисио «Pitbull» (25-3), as the two will duke it out for a shot at Michael Chandler’s championship belt. В дополнение, an explosive lightweight contest pitting Вы Авад (19-7) против Дерек Андерсон (13-2) will serve as the evening’s co-main event.

In preliminary action, Welterweights Кевин «Baby Slice» Фергюсон-младший. и Джо Дэвис will make their professional debuts, в то время как Чинзо Мачида (3-2) will compete for the first time under the Bellator MMA banner.

Билеты на мероприятие стартуют в $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at Honda Center Box Office. Двери открываются в 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com и Bellator Mobile App — начинается с 5:00 p.m. PT.

After beginning his career 7-1 как любитель, the 21-year-old “Mercenary” has made a splash on the professional circuit, recording a perfect 4-0 mark through his first four bouts. McKee has fought under the Bellator MMA banner ever since he made his professional debut in 2015, finishing all of his contests in the opening frame, including three knockouts and a rear-naked choke submission. McKee’s most recent victory came at the expense of Italian Danilo Belluardo during the mixed martial arts portion of Bellator MMA’s first-ever event overseas, "Bellator 152: Freire vs. Souza.” The Long Beach, Халиф. native will now take his flashy personality to the Honda Center, where he will have the chance to put his unique skill set on full display in front of his hometown fans.

Agreeing to take a professional mixed martial arts contest on short notice is no easy task, doing so against an undefeated fighter the caliber of McKee is even more daunting. But that’s exactly the scenario Walker finds himself in now ahead of next Friday’s событие. A two-time competitor for Bellator, “The Crow” will look to move above .500 within the promotion when he enters the cage at Honda Center. The 28-year-old Texan has ended all seven of his professional victories via TKO or KO, Дерроу будет занят Рикелсом и шумной толпой из родного города, которая следует за ним, когда они войдут в клетку..

A longtime veteran of Bellator MMA, Karakhanyan will look to get back on track after dropping two closely contested decision losses against Jenkins, who he handily defeated nearly two years ago via guillotine submission. Known to many mixed martial arts fans as “Insane,” the 31-year-old has finished 18 из его 24 выигрывает как профессионал, earning himself multiple titles in regional promotions along the way. Following multiple setbacks to his knee, the Russian fighter is finally healthy and now looks to climb the 145-pound ladder in a competitive division that he once sat atop as the No. 1 соперник.

Just a few years ago, Bubba Jenkins was widely regarded as the top MMA prospect in all of the sport, though the title became tainted following the aforementioned loss to Karakhanyan at “Bellator 132.” The former NCAA National Champion wrestler with Arizona State University now has three consecutive wins under his belt, and is looking for redemption. Heading into his 11th fight under the Scot Coker-led promotion, the 28-year-old “Highlight Kid” looks to put on a standout performance in Bellator’s incredibly deep featherweight division. Настроить Август 26 to see if the Corona, Калифорния., native can return the favor and finish Karakhanyan in front of his local supporters.

Полный "Bellator 160: Хендерсон против. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:

Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Бенсон Хендерсон (23-6) против. Патрисио "Pitbull" Фрейре (25-3)

Легкий совместно Главным событием: Вы Авад (19-7) против. Дерек Андерсон (13-2)

Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. Макки (4-0) против. Cody Walker (7-2)

Featherweight Feature Bout: Bubba Дженкинс (11-2) против. Георгий Караханян (24-6-1)

Предварительная карточка Bellator.com:

Полулегком Предварительный Bout: Чинзо Мачида (3-2) против. Mario Navarro (4-4)

Средний вес Предварительное Bout: Джо Дэвис (Pro Дебют) против. Keith Cutrone (1-0)

Средний вес Предварительное Bout: Кевин Фергюсон младший. (Pro Дебют) против. Jon Tomasian (Pro Дебют)

Легкий Предварительный Bout: Габриэль Грин (2-0) против. Alex Trinidad (1-0)

Наилегчайшем Предварительный Bout: Стив Рамирес (4-1) против. Ron Henderson (4-2)

Наилегчайшем Предварительный Bout: Kyle Estrada (3-2) против. Дэвид дюран (3-4)

Легкий Предварительный Bout: Майк Сегура (4-3) против. Джейкоб Росалес (3-2)

Средний вес Предварительное Bout: Jonny Cisneros (9-4) против. Andy Murad (12-2)

Легкий Предварительный Bout: Джейк Робертс (6-0) против. Стивен Мартинес (11-4)