‘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, CALIFORNIE. (Mars 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 Avril 22 au Mohegan Sun Arena à Uncasville, Conn.

 

En outre, Connecticut propre «Irlandais» Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, quand il accueille Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16) dans la mêlée Bellator MMA à 170 livres-.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Benson "Smooth" Henderson (23-5), comme il défie le champion poids welter Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) pour sa ceinture. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Les billets pour «Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson " commencer à un peu $30 et sont maintenant en vente au Bellator.com, Ticketmaster.com et le Bureau Mohegan Sun Box. L'événement sera diffusé en direct et gratuitement sur Spike à 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, tandis combats préliminaires afflueront en direct sur Bellator.com et Mobile App Bellator.

 

For “Pitbull,” a fight on Avril 22 is the first step back towards a shot at Daniel Straus’ titre poids plume, a belt that Freire held before the two met at "Bellator 145: With A Vengeance. " À 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.” Avril 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. Situé 10 miles from his home in New London, Connecticut, “Irish” has won four times at the Mohegan Sun, all by finish with three KOs and one submission. Plus récemment,, 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, et Melvin Manhoef (2x). Maintenant, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson "Mise à jour Carte de combat:

Bellator MMA Welterweight Monde Titre Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA plume 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)

 

Carte préliminaire:

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

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

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

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