‘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 nobis. Cicero " is set, with the news that Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (24-3) will compete against Johannes "Macapá" Teixeira (19-1-2) in featherweight action on Aprilis 22 at sol Mohegan Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

 

In addition, Connecticut proprio "Hibernica" Brennan Ward (13-3) returns to action in his home state fresh off an impressive victory in Japan, cum non recipit, Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16) Bellator est ad pugnam MMA CLXX libras,.

 

The two bouts join a main event that features the highly anticipated Bellator debut of Cicero "Ave" Cicero (23-5), ut fortis qui provocat welterweight Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) et usque ad balteum. Four preliminary bouts were also announced; additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

 

Tesseras "Bellator 153: Koreshkov nobis. Cicero " satus procul iustus $30 et nunc venalium Bellator.com, Et sol Ticketmaster.com Mohegan Officium Box. In eventum liberum, et vivat in auras in Spike 9 p.m. ATQUE/8 p.m. CT, dum vivunt in praevia daret fluent Bellator.com atque Bellator est Mobile App.

 

For “Pitbull,” a fight on Aprilis 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: Cum vindictam. " At 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.” Aprilis 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. Sita 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. Novissime, 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, atque Melvinus Manhoef (2x). Autem, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt will turn his attention to one of Bellator MMA’s fastest rising stars.

"Bellator 153: Koreshkov nobis. Cicero "Updated card proelium:

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

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

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

 

Praevium Card:

Bellator MMA Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Sam Watford (1-0) vs. Decanus Hancock (2-0)

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

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

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