‘IRISH’ BRENNAN WARD WELCOMES EVANGELISTA ‘CYBORG’ SANTOS TO THE BELLATOR MMA WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

FOUR ADDITIONAL PRELIMINARY MATCHUPS ADDED TO THE MOHEGAN SUN EVENT IN CONNECTICUT

SANTA MONICA, CALIF. (Martie 1, 2016) – The co-main event for "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson " is set, with the news that Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (24-3) will compete against John "Macapa" Teixeira (19-1-2) in featherweight action on Aprilie 22 la Mohegan Sun Arena din Uncasville, Conn.

 

În plus, Lui Connecticut proprii "Irish" Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, când el salută Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16) în luptă Bellator MMA la 170 de lire sterline.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson "Smooth" Henderson (23-5), ca el provoaca campion la semimijlocie Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) pentru centura. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Biletele pentru "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson " încep de la doar $30 și sunt în vânzare acum la Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com și Oficiul Mohegan Sun Box. Evenimentul difuzeaza live si gratuit pe Spike la 9 p.m. ȘI/8 p.m. CT, în timp ce crize preliminare vor transmite în flux live pe Bellator.com și Mobile App Bellator.

 

For “Pitbull,” a fight on Aprilie 22 is the first step back towards a shot at Daniel Straus’ featherweight title, a belt that Freire held before the two met at "Bellator 145: Cu vârf și îndesat. " La 28 years of age and with already 15 fights under the Bellator MMA banner, the Natal-native has been victorious in seven out of his last eight outings and emphatically finished Daniel Weichel in what was a knockout of the year candidate in 2015.

 

Undefeated in Bellator MMA, including an entertaining victory his last time out against Gleristone Santos; “Macapa” has not suffered defeat since 2012. A product of the highly regarded Nova Uniao team, Teixeira has previously competed in the UFC, where he was a competitor on “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil.” Aprilie 22 will only be the fourth time the 29-year-old has fought outside of Brazil.

 

For Ward, fighting at the Mohegan Sun is like competing in his own backyard. Situat 10 miles from his home in New London, Conn., “Irish” has won four times at the Mohegan Sun, all by finish with three KOs and one submission. Cel mai recent, the 27-year-old former NCAA All-American moved up in weight and submitted former heavyweight Ken Hasegawa in Japan while representing Bellator MMA during Rizin FF’s inaugural event this past December. The win brought Ward’s current winning streak to five fights, all coming by way of finish.

 

Best known to fans as “Cyborg,” Santos enters the Scott Coker-led promotion fresh off a win already in 2016. A veteran of Pride FC and Strikeforce, “Cyborg” has been involved in some memorable tussles against names the likes of: Nick Diaz, Gegard Mousasi, Francis Carmont, și Melvin Manhoef (2x). Acum, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson "Card de Lupta Actualizat:

Bellator MMA Semimijlocie Mondială Titlu Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA Co-Ușoară Main Event: Patricio Freire (24-3) vs. John Teixeira (19-1-2)

Bellator MMA Semimijlocie Element Bout: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs. Evangelista Santos (20-16)

 

Card de preliminară:

Bellator MMA Ușoare preliminar Bout: Sam Watford (1-0) vs. Dean Hancock (2-0)

Bellator MMA preliminar Bout Ușoară: Chris Foster (8-4) vs. Felipe Lavandoski (5-0)

Bellator MMA Ușoare preliminar Bout: Jason Bakanowski (3-2) vs. T.J. Hepburn (4-2)

Bellator MMA preliminar Bout Ușoară: Pete Rogers (2-3) vs. Mike Mangan (0-3)