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

SANTA MONICA, קליפורניה (נִשׂגָב 16, 2016) – Just nine days before the highly anticipated "Bellator 160: הנדרסון לעומת. Pitbull” אירוע ב נִשׂגָב 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, קליפורניה., injuries sustained by main card fighters הנרי קוראלס ו Lena Ovchynnikova have shaken things up a bit. משקל נוצה בלתי מנוצח A.J. מקי (4-0) עתה יהיה צפוי Cody Walker (7-2), תוך באבא ג'נקינס (11-2) ו גיאורגי Karakhanyan (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 בנסון הנדרסון (23-6) ו פטריסיו "פיטבול" (25-3), as the two will duke it out for a shot at Michael Chandler’s championship belt. בנוסף, an explosive lightweight contest pitting אתה עוואד (19-7) נגד דרק אנדרסון (13-2) will serve as the evening’s co-main event.

In preliminary action, welterweights Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. ו ג'ואי דייויס will make their professional debuts, תוך צ'ינזו מצ'ידה (3-2) will compete for the first time under the Bellator MMA banner.

הכרטיסים לאירוע מתחילים בשעה $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at Honda Center Box Office. פתיחת דלתות בשעה 4:45 p.m. PT local time and the first preliminary bout – which streams live on Bellator.com ו את האפליקציה לנייד Bellator — מתחיל ב 5:00 p.m. PT.

After beginning his career 7-1 כחובבן, 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, קליפורניה. 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 אירוע. 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, including four in the first round.

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 שלו 24 זוכה כמקצועי, 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 יָרִיב.

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. לכונן נִשׂגָב 26 to see if the Corona, קליפורניה., native can return the favor and finish Karakhanyan in front of his local supporters.

 

שלמה "Bellator 160: הנדרסון לעומת. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:

Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: בנסון הנדרסון (23-6) לעומת. פטריסיו "Pitbull" פריירה (25-3)

Co-ראשי קלות אירוע: אתה עוואד (19-7) לעומת. דרק אנדרסון (13-2)

מאפיין במשקל נוצה באוט: A.J. מקי (4-0) לעומת. Cody Walker (7-2)

מאפיין במשקל נוצה באוט: באבא ג'נקינס (11-2) לעומת. גיאורגי Karakhanyan (24-6-1)

 

Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:

במשקל הנוצה הראשוני באוט: צ'ינזו מצ'ידה (3-2) לעומת. Mario Navarro (4-4)

חצי הכבד הראשוני באוט: ג'ואי דייויס (את הופעת בכורה של Pro) לעומת. Keith Cutrone (1-0)

חצי הכבד הראשוני באוט: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (את הופעת בכורה של Pro) לעומת. Jon Tomasian (את הופעת בכורה של Pro)

קל משקל ראשוני באוט: גבריאל גרין (2-0) לעומת. Alex Trinidad (1-0)

Flyweight ראשוני באוט: סטיב רמירז (4-1) לעומת. Ron Henderson (4-2)

Flyweight ראשוני באוט: Kyle Estrada (3-2) לעומת. David Duran (3-4)

קל משקל ראשוני באוט: מייק סייף (4-3) לעומת. יעקב רוזלס (3-2)

חצי הכבד הראשוני באוט: Jonny Cisneros (9-4) לעומת. Andy Murad (12-2)

קל משקל ראשוני באוט: Jake Roberts (6-0) לעומת. סטיבן מרטינז (11-4)