CODY WALKER STEPS UP ON SHORT NOTICE TO CHALLENGE UNDEFEATED A.J. MCKEE, WHILE GEORGI KARAKHANYAN-BUBBA JENKINS MOVED TO SPIKE-TELEVISED CARD
Санта Моника, CALIF (Август 16, 2016) – Just nine days before the highly anticipated "Bellator 160: Henderson срещу. Питбул" събитие Август 26 в Honda Center в Анахайм, Калифорния., injuries sustained by main card fighters Хенри Corrales и Лена Овчинникова have shaken things up a bit. Непобеждаван перо A.J. Маккий (4-0) сега ще се изправят Cody Walker (7-2), докато Bubba Jenkins (11-2) и Георги Karakhanyan (24-6-1) find themselves in a featherweight feature fight during the SPIKE-televised main card.
The fights join a main card that spotlights a super fight at 155-pounds between Benson Henderson (23-6) и Патрик "Питбул" (25-3), as the two will duke it out for a shot at Michael Chandler’s championship belt. В допълнение, an explosive lightweight contest pitting Можете Ауад (19-7) срещу Дерек Андерсън (13-2) will serve as the evening’s co-main event.
In preliminary action, welterweights Кевин „Baby Slice“ Фъргюсън младши. и Джоуи Дейвис will make their professional debuts, докато Чиндзо Мачида (3-2) will compete for the first time under the Bellator MMA banner.
Билетите за събитието започват от $30 and can be purchased now on Ticketmaster and at Honda Center Box Office. Вратите отварят в 4:45 p.m. PT местно време и първият предварителен двубой - който предава на живо Bellator.com и В Bellator Mobile App — започва 5:00 p.m. PT.
After beginning his career 7-1 като аматьор, the 21-year-old “Mercenary” has made a splash on the professional circuit, recording a perfect 4-0 mark through his first four bouts. McKee has fought under the Bellator MMA banner ever since he made his professional debut in 2015, finishing all of his contests in the opening frame, including three knockouts and a rear-naked choke submission. McKee’s most recent victory came at the expense of Italian Danilo Belluardo during the mixed martial arts portion of Bellator MMA’s first-ever event overseas, "Bellator 152: Freire vs. Souza.” Дългият плаж, Халиф. native will now take his flashy personality to the Honda Center, where he will have the chance to put his unique skill set on full display in front of his hometown fans.
Agreeing to take a professional mixed martial arts contest on short notice is no easy task, doing so against an undefeated fighter the caliber of McKee is even more daunting. But that’s exactly the scenario Walker finds himself in now ahead of next Friday’s събитие. A two-time competitor for Bellator, “The Crow” will look to move above .500 within the promotion when he enters the cage at Honda Center. The 28-year-old Texan has ended all seven of his professional victories via TKO or KO, including four in the first round.
A longtime veteran of Bellator MMA, Karakhanyan will look to get back on track after dropping two closely contested decision losses against Jenkins, who he handily defeated nearly two years ago via guillotine submission. Known to many mixed martial arts fans as “Insane,” the 31-year-old has finished 18 на неговата 24 победи като професионалист, earning himself multiple titles in regional promotions along the way. Following multiple setbacks to his knee, the Russian fighter is finally healthy and now looks to climb the 145-pound ladder in a competitive division that he once sat atop as the No. 1 претендент.
Just a few years ago, Bubba Jenkins was widely regarded as the top MMA prospect in all of the sport, though the title became tainted following the aforementioned loss to Karakhanyan at “Bellator 132.” The former NCAA National Champion wrestler with Arizona State University now has three consecutive wins under his belt, and is looking for redemption. Heading into his 11th fight under the Scot Coker-led promotion, the 28-year-old “Highlight Kid” looks to put on a standout performance in Bellator’s incredibly deep featherweight division. Търси в Август 26 to see if the Corona, Калифорния., native can return the favor and finish Karakhanyan in front of his local supporters.
Complete "Bellator 160: Henderson срещу. Pitbull ”SPIKE - Телевизионна основна карта:
Лек №. 1 Основно събитие на претендента: Benson Henderson (23-6) срещу. Патрисио "Pitbull" Фрейре (25-3)
Лек Co-Main Event: Можете Ауад (19-7) срещу. Дерек Андерсън (13-2)
Перо в тежка категория: A.J. Маккий (4-0) срещу. Cody Walker (7-2)
Перо в тежка категория: Bubba Jenkins (11-2) срещу. Георги Karakhanyan (24-6-1)
Предварителна карта, предадена от Bellator.com:
Предварителен бой с леко тегло: Чиндзо Мачида (3-2) срещу. Марио Наваро (4-4)
Предварителен двубой в тежка категория: Джоуи Дейвис (Pro Debut) срещу. Кийт Кътрон (1-0)
Предварителен двубой в тежка категория: Кевин Фъргюсън-младши. (Pro Debut) срещу. Джон Томасиан (Pro Debut)
Лек предварителен двубой: Габриел Грийн (2-0) срещу. Алекс тринити (1-0)
Предварителен двубой за полутежка категория: Стив Ramirez (4-1) срещу. Рон Хендерсън (4-2)
Предварителен двубой за полутежка категория: Кайл Естрада (3-2) срещу. Дейвид Дюран (3-4)
Лек предварителен двубой: Майк Сегура (4-3) срещу. Яков Розалес (3-2)
Предварителен двубой в тежка категория: Джони Сиснерос (9-4) срещу. Анди Мурад (12-2)
Лек предварителен двубой: Джейк Робъртс (6-0) срещу. Стивън Мартинес (11-4)