ITALIAN KICKBOXING ICON GIORGIO PETROSYAN TAKES ON JORDAN WATSON IN BELLATOR KICKBOXING LIGHTWEIGHT FIGHT

SANTA MONICA, CALIF (十月 7, 2016) – Bellator MMA is returning to Italy with another action-packed combo event on 十二月. 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 拉斐爾·卡瓦略 (13-1) 和 梅爾文Manhoef (30-13-1, 2 NC) in a rematch for Carvalho’s 185-pound championship. 與此同時, “Bellator跆拳道: Florence” has added a lightweight matchup between Italian superstar striker Giorgio Petrosyan (82-2-2, 1 NC) 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, 阿萊西奧Sakara (18-11, 2 NC), who takes on Mexican-American slugger 喬伊·貝爾特蘭 (17-13, 1 NC) in a light heavyweight matchup.

 

Exact broadcast details for “Bellator 168: 卡瓦略VS. Manhoef 2” 和 “Bellator跆拳道: Florence” will be revealed shortly.

 

The Bellator Kickboxing card also features an anticipated female flyweight rematch between Dutch striking ace 丹妮絲·基爾霍爾茨（Denise Kielholtz） (45-3) and the woman who defeated her this past June, Gloria Peritore (11-1-1) for the inaugural Bellator Kickboxing Flyweight World Championship. 另外, other Bellator superstars 雷蒙德·丹尼爾斯（Raymond Daniels）, 凱文·羅斯 和 喬·希林 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. 主要活動 “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. 現在, 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: 哈爾西VS. 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 十二月. 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) 和 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” 在 “Bellator跆拳道: 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) 沿途. Victorious in his lone 2016 戰鬥, Watson hopes to soar into 2017 with a win against arguably the greatest kick boxer in the world under his belt.

更新了“Bellator 168: 卡瓦略VS. Manhoef 2” Card:

中量級世界冠軍爭奪戰: 拉斐爾·卡瓦略 (13-1) VS. 梅爾文Manhoef (30-13-1, 2 NC)

輕重量級功能撲滅: 阿萊西奧Sakara (18-11, 2 NC) VS. 喬伊·貝爾特蘭 (17-13, 1 NC)

Updated “Bellator Kickboxing: Florence” Card:

Lightweight Feature Fight: Giorgio Petrosyan (82-2-2, 1 NC) VS. Jordan Watson (48-11-2)

Flyweight World Title: 丹妮絲·基爾霍爾茨（Denise Kielholtz） (45-3) VS. Gloria Peritore (11-1-1)