UNDEFEATED LIGHTWEIGHTS JAKE ROBERTS-CARRINGTON BANKS READY FOR ACTION IN PRELIMINARY CONTEST
SANTA MONICA, CALIF (Oktòb 19, 2016) – The anticipated mixed martial arts debut of flyweight Keri Melendez will come against Sheila Padilla (2-0) during the main card of "La ap 165: Chandler vs. Henderson " nan mitan SAP nan San Jose, Kalifòni. sou Nov. 19.
Anplis de sa, a lightweight bout pitting Carrington Banks (5-0) kont Jake Roberts (7-0) has been added to the Bellator.com-streamed preliminary card.
The bouts join action-packed fights highlighted by a lightweight world title main event featuring Michael Chandler (15-3) kont Benson Henderson (24-6). Anplis de sa, a welterweight clash between undefeated British striker Michael "venen" Page (11-0) and California’s own Fernando Gonzalez (25-13) will also be the card’s co-main event. Rounding out the televised action, a lightweight showdown pitting Adan Piccolot (8-0) kont Brandon Girtz (14-4) and a light heavyweight matchup pitting Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (16-5) kont Francis Carmont (14-4) were added earlier this week.
"La ap 165: Chandler vs. Henderson " will take place on Novanm 19, airing LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m ET/ 8 p.m. CT. Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.
The queen of the infamous Skrap Pack in Northern California, Melendez made her first appearance in a victory during the kickboxing portion of "La ap: Dinamit 1, " and followed up with another win at “Dynamite 2.” Melendez tallied a 4-1 amateur mark before taking her talents to the professional circuit, kote li te kounye a kenbe yon 4-1 dosye kikboksin. The 32-year-old flyweight will now make the transition to MMA, an iteration of combat sports that her husband, Gilbert Melendez has plenty of success in. Living up to her promise of making her debut in 2016, Melendez will compete on the main card of "La ap 165: Chandler vs. Henderson " nan mitan SAP nan San Jose, Kalifòni. sou Nov. 19.
Fighting out of Visalia, Kalifòni., Padilla will enter the Bellator MMA fray following two successful wins on the regional scene, both coming in 2016. Training under Bellator MMA veteran Doug Marshall at Team Elite, this will be Padilla’s opportunity to truly make a name for herself against Melendez, when she competes LIVE on SPIKE.
Just like his opponent, Banks enters the cage undefeated and ready to make another splash in his second fight since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion. The Peoria, Illinois native has finished two of his five victims and dominated all three of his decision victories, earning each by unanimous variety. “Jetsetter” will look to use Roberts as his runway for success as the Blackzilian product hopes to couple his Bellator MMA debut triumph with yet another feat and continue his climb up the lightweight ranks. After competing professionally in Kansas, Texas, and Iowa, the trip to Connecticut will mark Banks’ first on the East Coast. Tune in to Bellator.com’s live-streaming preliminary action to find out if the long journey will have any effect on “Jetsetter” and his performance.
“The North County Nightmare” hasn’t the slightest idea what it’s like to lose, as the 25-year-old enters his eighth professional contest at an admirable 7-0. Having won all five amateur bouts and each of his first four professional fights by way of first round submission, it is Roberts’ ground game that keeps his opponents up at night. Sepandan, Roberts’ 2016 campaign has been all about power, after recording back-to-back knockout finishes, highlighted by an emphatic first round knockout in his Bellator MMA debut at "La ap 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull.” Roberts hopes to haunt Banks’ dreams when the two clash in the bright lights of SAP Center in San Jose, Kalifòni.
Ranpli "la ap 165: Chandler vs. Henderson” Main Card:
Lightweight World Title Main Event: Michael Chandler (15-3) vs. Benson Henderson (24-6)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Michael Page (11-0) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (25-13)
Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Linton Vassell (16-5) vs. Francis Carmont (25-11)
Lightweight Feature Bout: Adan Piccolot (8-0) vs. Brandon Girtz (14-4)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (Premye) vs. Sheila Padilla (2-0)
Complete Preliminary Card:
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Carrington Banks (5-0) vs. Jake Roberts (7-0)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Diego Herzog (3-2) vs. Nick pika (5-0)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Gabe Carrasco (7-0) vs. Rolando Velasco (10-4)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: James Terry (17-9) vs. Justin Baesman (19-10-1)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Jose Perez (2-1) vs. J.T. Donaldson (2-1)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: J.J. Okanovich (2-1) vs. Luis Vargas (Premye)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Hugo Lujan (0-1) vs. Cesar Gonzalez (Premye)
Welterweight “VOW” Preliminary Bout: Dominic Sumer (Premye) vs. Justin Roswell (1-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Danasabe Mohammed (5-0) vs. Dwight Grant (6-1)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Sarah D’Alelio (10-6) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)