‘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. (March 1, 2016) – The co-main event for "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs.. Henderson " is set, with the news that Patricio "Hrithik Roshan" Freire (24-3) will compete against John "Macapa" Teixeira (19-1-2) in featherweight action on April 22 ka Mohegan Sun Arena a Uncasville, Conn.

 

Holim'a moo, Connecticut ka boeena "Irish" Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, ha a ne a amohela Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16) ho kena ka har'a Bellator MMA pipe pelaez nakong 170-liponto.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson "Smooth" Henderson (23-5), ha a ntse a phephetsa 'mampoli welterweight Zhenya Koreshkov (18-1) etsoe lebanta la hae. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Tickets for "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs.. Henderson " qala ka feela $30 'me ba tsa rekisoa joale Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com le Mohegan Sun Box Office. Ketsahalo ena e e ikhohomoselitse e phelang 'me mahala mabapi le Spike nakong 9 p.m. LE/8 p.m. CT, ha a ntse a linako selelekela tla phallela phelang ho lona Bellator.com le The Bellator Mobile App.

 

For “Pitbull,” a fight on April 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: Le Phetetso A. " Ka 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 Daniele 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.” April 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. Located 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. Morao ka ho fetisisa, 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, le Melvin Manhoef (2X). Hona joale, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs.. Henderson "Updated Card Ntoa:

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title bout: Zhenya Koreshkov (18-1) vs.. Benson Henderson (23-5)

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

Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature bout: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs.. Evangelista Santos (20-16)

 

Selelekela Card:

Bellator MMA bobebe selelekela bout: Sam Watford (1-0) vs.. Modini Hancock (2-0)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: Chris Foster (8-4) vs.. Felipe Lavandoski (5-0)

Bellator MMA bobebe selelekela bout: Jason Bakanowski (3-2) vs.. T.J. Hepburn (4-2)

Bellator MMA Featherweight selelekela bout: Pete Rogers (2-3) vs.. Mike Mangan (0-3)