ITALIAN KICKBOXING ICON GIORGIO PETROSYAN TAKES ON JORDAN WATSON IN BELLATOR KICKBOXING LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT
Санта Моника, Калифорнија (Октомври 7, 2016) – Bellator MMA is returning to Italy with another action-packed combo event on Декември. 10 from the Mandela Forum in Florence, featuring both Bellator MMA and Bellator Kickboxing brands. The Scott Coker-led promotion today announced the MMA portion’s main event, which will feature Рафаел Карваљо (13-1) и Мелвин Manhoef (30-13-1, 2 Соединетите Американски Држави) in a rematch for Carvalho’s 185-pound championship. Во меѓувреме, "Bellator Kickboxing: Florence” has added a lightweight matchup between Italian superstar striker Giorgio Petrosyan (82-2-2, 1 Соединетите Американски Држави) and British kickboxing champion Jordan Watson (48-11-2).
The mixed martial arts event will also boast Italy’s most popular and beloved mixed martial artist, Алесио Sakara (18-11, 2 Соединетите Американски Држави), who takes on Mexican-American slugger Џои Белтран (17-13, 1 Соединетите Американски Држави) in a light heavyweight matchup.
Exact broadcast details for "Bellator 168: Карваљо vs. Manhoef 2” и "Bellator Kickboxing: Florence” will be revealed shortly.
The Bellator Kickboxing card also features an anticipated female flyweight rematch between Dutch striking ace Дениз Киелхолц (45-3) and the woman who defeated her this past June, Gloria Peritore (11-1-1) for the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing Flyweight World Championship. Дополнително, other Bellator superstars Рејмонд Даниелс, Kevin Ross и Џо Шилинг are also likely to compete on the card against opponents to be named later.
If you ask both Carvalho and Manhoef, the two’s first meeting didn’t go as planned for either party. Главниот настан на “Bellator 155” saw both men go toe-to-toe for 25 minutes before the three judges rendered a split decision in favor of the incumbent champion; a verdict that many deemed controversial. Сега, nearly seven months after their first meeting, the pair of competitors will meet again.
Carvalho’s second-round body kick knockout of Brandon Halsey at "Bellator 144: Halsey наспроти. Carvalho” was the third biggest oddsmaker upset in 2015, and was the bout that earned the gold he wears around his waist today. The 30-year-old will be making his fifth appearance under the Bellator MMA banner and will look to extend his current winning streak to 14-bouts.
With a resume of knockouts as violent as Manhoef, it’s no surprise the Dutch competitor has earned the nickname of “No Mercy.” Known for his relentless striking style, the former K-1 and Strikeforce competitor finds himself once again in a position to lay claim to the Bellator 185-pound MMA title, and has even further incentive to leave the judges’ out of it.
Adoringly referred to by his fans as “The Doctor,” Petrosyan is one man you do not want an appointment with. The top-ranked Armenian-Italian striking ace will be making his debut with the budding Bellator Kickboxing Promotion when he squares off against Watson on 10 Декември. Training alongside his brother Armen, the 30-year-old southpaw put together an incredible 42-fight unbeaten streak, cultivating an extensive trophy case that includes multiple championship belts as well as “Kickboxer of the Year” accolades in both 2011 (BloodyElbow.com) и 2012 (LiverKick.com).
When you compete in the lightweight division in the world of kickboxing, aside from striving to earn the title, you’re also looking towards a fight with the No. 1 kickboxer in the world in Petrosyan. An ISKA World Champion and K-1 UK runner up, Watson will get that chance when he meets “The Doctor” на “Кикбокс во Белатор: Florence.” It will be interesting to see what game plan the British striker implores when he meets his opponent — but if his nickname of ‘Quadzilla’ is any indication, the 28-year-old will utilize his kicks to keep the vicious striking of Petrosyan at bay. Training extensively around the world, Watson has also spent a good amount of time in the Muay Thai scene, accruing a knack for finishes (21) на патот. Victorious in his lone 2016 Борбата, Watson hopes to soar into 2017 with a win against arguably the greatest kick boxer in the world under his belt.
Ажурирано "Bellator 168: Карваљо vs. Manhoef 2” Card:
Middleweight World Title Bout: Рафаел Карваљо (13-1) наспроти. Мелвин Manhoef (30-13-1, 2 Соединетите Американски Држави)
Светлината во тешка категорија Тема борба: Алесио Sakara (18-11, 2 Соединетите Американски Држави) наспроти. Џои Белтран (17-13, 1 Соединетите Американски Држави)
Updated “Bellator Kickboxing: Florence” Card:
Lightweight Feature Fight: Giorgio Petrosyan (82-2-2, 1 Соединетите Американски Држави) наспроти. Jordan Watson (48-11-2)
Flyweight World Title: Дениз Киелхолц (45-3) наспроти. Gloria Peritore (11-1-1)