SANTA MONICA, Calif. (November. 7, 2016) – One week ahead of "Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson " bij SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., Bellator MMA is pleased to announce the highly anticipated professional mixed martial arts debut of Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. will come against Aaron Hamilton in a welterweight bout during the preliminary portion of the card on Nov. 19.
The contest anchors an electric preliminary card and joins a Spike-televised main card that features a lightweight world title main event pitting current champion Michael Chandler (15-3) tegen Benson Henderson (24-6). In de avond van de co-main event, undefeated British phenom Michael “Venom” Page (11-0) and California’s own Fernando Gonzalez (25-13) duke it out in a welterweight thriller and Adam Piccolot (8-0) neemt Brandon Girtz(14-4) in a lightweight clash. Ten slotte, a light heavyweight showdown pitting Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (16-5) tegen Francis Carmont (14-4) and female flyweight action pitting Keri Melendez (Debuut) tegen Sheila Padilla (2-0) are also set for the main card.
"Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson " airs LIVE and FREE at 9 p.m. EN/8 p.m. CT on Spike and completes three consecutive weeks of championship fights on the Viacom-owned network. Tickets for the event remain on sale and can be purchased at Bellator.com, as well as SAP Center Box Office and Ticketmaster.
After originally being slated to make his professional debut at both “Bellator 160” en "Bellator 162,“ “Baby Slice” will now look to showcase his fine-tuned mixed martial arts repertoire on November. 19. The son of the late, great “Kimbo Slice,” made a splash in the world of MMA during an amateur contest in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he delivered a brutal knockout punch just 1:23 in de eerste ronde. In what is unquestionably one of the most talked-about debuts in promotion history, Slice hopes to parlay his amateur success with a memorable performance on the professional circuit and carry on the legacy that his father let behind. Afkomstig uit Miami, Florida, the Team Body Shop product now has his eyes set on joining teammate A.J. McKee as one of Bellator MMA’s top young prospects.
Hamilton will once again compete in his home state of California, after previous bouts against the likes of Max Griffin. “The Snake” will be making both his Bellator MMA debut and welterweight debut, as the 185-pound slugger attempts to trim down for what is surely the biggest fight of his career. Hamilton last competed in March and hopes to spoil the long-awaited debut of Slice.
Complete "Bellator 165: Chandler vs. Henderson” Main Card:
Lightweight World Title Main Event: Michael Chandler (15-3) vs. Benson Henderson (24-6)
Weltergewicht Co-Main Event: Michael Pagina (11-0) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (25-13)
Licht zwaargewicht feature-gevecht: Linton Vassell (16-5) vs. Francis Carmont (25-11)
Lichtgewicht Feature Bout: Adam Piccolot (8-0) vs. Brandon Girtz (14-4)
Vlieggewicht Feature Bout: Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (Debuut) vs. Sheila Padilla (2-0)
Complete Preliminary Card:
Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Debuut) vs. Aaron Hamilton (0-2)
Lichtgewicht voorronde: Carrington Banks (5-0) vs. Jake Roberts (7-0)
Middengewicht Voorlopige aanval: Diego Herzog (3-2) vs. Nick Pica (5-0)
Bantamweight Voorlopige aanval: Jeremiah Monaghan (9-5) vs. Vince Murdock (8-2)
Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: James Terry (17-9) vs. Justin Baesman (19-10-1)
Bantamweight Voorlopige aanval: Alvin Cacdac (16-12) vs. Steve Ramirez (5-1)
Lichtgewicht voorronde: GEEN WOORD. Okanovich (2-1) vs. Luis Vargas (Debuut)
Vedergewicht voorlopige wedstrijd: Victor Jones (0-2) vs. Beau Hamilton (1-7)
Lichtgewicht voorronde: Hugo Lujan (0-1) vs. Cesar Gonzalez (Debuut)
Welterweight “VOW” Preliminary Bout: Dominic Sumer (Debuut) vs. Justin Roswell (1-0)
Weltergewicht Voorlopige aanval: Danasabe Mohammed (5-0) vs. Dwight Grant (6-1)
Vlieggewicht Voorlopige aanval: Sarah D’Alelio (10-6) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)