Brent Primus Defends Lightweight Title Against Michael Chandler in Long-Awaited Main Event Rematch to Kick Off Honolulu Doubleheader

LOS ANGELES – To honor the brave men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, Bellator MMA has partnered with the USO to present a special live event free for the troops, along with their friends and families, אויף דעצעמבער 14.

“Having worked with the Army Combatives Program to evaluate and update their combat readiness, I have long respected the military and their courage,” said Royce Gracie, MMA Legend and Bellator Ambassador. “When I found out we were doing an event in Hawaii, knowing the large military population there, I knew we had to show our support and appreciation through MMA.”

Bellator President Scott Coker is proud of this new relationship with USO and is eager to show his support to the brave service men and women.

“The USO is a historic military support organization – not just in entertainment but in connecting them back to the things they love and fight for,"האט קאָקער. “It made perfect sense for Bellator to establish a relationship with the USO and provide a unique opportunity to Hawaii’s military population. We appreciate their service to the nation, and we hope this is just the first of many opportunities for us to work together.”

Emanating from the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, this unique show will be headlined by a title fight featuring current lightweight champ Brett Primus (8-0) against two-time former titlist מיכאל טשאַנדלער (18-4), while heavyweight icon פראַנק מיר (18-12) מיץ דזשאַווי אַיאַלאַ (10-7) in a heavyweight clash.

Bellator and USO Present: Salute the Troops will air on Paramount Network on Friday, דעצעמבער 14 בייַ 10 פּ.ם. ET/9 p.m. CT and will be simulcast on CMT. The event will also stream LIVE on DAZN, while preliminary bouts will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App. נאָך באַוץ וועט זיין מודיע אין קומענדיק וואָכן.

Reigning champ Brent Primus puts both his title and undefeated streak on the line in a highly anticipated rematch for the Bellator lightweight title. After upsetting Chandler last year, the Eugene, Ore.-native has since battled injuries that have delayed his return to the cage. איצט, he looks to silence the critics and prove that he is the rightful and deserving 155-pound champion. One of the most-decorated fighters in Bellator history, Michael Chandler has plans to reclaim the championship and become a three-time titleholder. “Iron” has defeated a who’s who among the division’s elite, אַרייַנגערעכנט בענסאָן

Henderson, פּאַטריקקי פּיטבולל (x2), יאַמאַוטשי אַרויף and Eddie Alvarez. The former University of Missouri wrestler, who now calls Nashville home, has earned his way back to No. 1-contender status with his sights set on leaving Hawaii with the belt.

Former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir returns to the Bellator cage following his exciting back-and-forth battle with פעדער עמעליאַנענקאָ last spring. With career wins over רוי נעלסאָן, Antonio “Big Nog” Nogueira (x2), Brock Lesnar and Mirko Cro Cop, the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt looks for another impressive victory to add to his illustrious career. After shocking the world when he KO’d סערגעי כאַריטאָנאָוו, Javy Ayala become an overnight sensation to MMA fans. Known to fans as “Eye Candy,” the heavyweight has also impressively defeated Eric Prindle and Raphael Butler. Fighting out of Porterville, קאַליף., Ayala returns hoping to yet again shock the world and defeat one of the greatest heavyweights in MMA history.

This unforgettable night will be part of an historic weekend culminating with the previously announced Bellator Hawaii אויף שבת, דעצעמבער 15, airing exclusively on DAZN. This highly-anticipated fight card includes Bellator women’s flyweight champ ילימאַ-ליי מאַקפאַרלאַנע defending her title against Valעס איזrie Létourneau, Lyoto Machida making his Bellator debut against former champ ראַפאַעל קאַרוואַלהאָ, נימאַן גרייסי גענומען אויף און רות in an opening round matchup in the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix and much more.

Bellator and the USO will also partner for a week of special events in Hawaii leading up to the big weekend of exciting fights on December 14 און 15. More details to come soon.

דערהייַנטיקט Bellator and USO Present: Salute the Troops Fight Card:

Lightweight World Title Main Event: ברענט פּרימוס (8-0) ווס. מיכאל טשאַנדלער (18-4)

Heavyweight Main Card Bout: פראַנק מיר (18-12) ווס. דזשאַווי אַיאַלאַ (10-7)

*Card subject to change

ביטע באַזוכן Bellator.com און USO.org פֿאַר מער אינפֿאָרמאַציע.