‘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. (Març 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 Abril 22 al Mohegan Sun Arena de Uncasville, Conn.

 

Addicionalment, Connecticut propi "Irlandès" Brennan Ward, (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, quan es dóna la benvinguda Evangelista "Cyborg" Sants (20-16) en la baralla de Bellator MMA a les 170 lliures.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson "Smooth" Henderson (23-5), quan davant al campió de pes welter Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) per al cinturó. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Les entrades per a "Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson " des de només $30 i estan a la venda a Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com i l'Oficina Mohegan Sun Box. L'esdeveniment es transmet en viu i lliure a Spike en 9 p.m. I/8 p.m. Connecticut, mentre que els combats preliminars transmetre en directe per Bellator.com i L'aplicació mòbil de Bellator.

 

For “Pitbull,” a fight on Abril 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: Amb una venjança ". En 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 Sants; “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.” Abril 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. Més recentment, 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, i Melvin Manhoef (2x). Ara, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson "targeta de la lluita Actualització:

Bellator MMA mundial de pes welter baralla pel títol: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA pes ploma Co-Esdeveniment Principal: Patricio Freire (24-3) vs. John Teixeira (19-1-2)

Bellator MMA welter de funcions: Brennan Ward, (13-3) vs. Evangelista Sants (20-16)

 

Targeta preliminar:

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

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

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

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