Next month marks Bellator’s 10th season, and their two biggest signings will be part of the season premiere. In an official press release sent by the promotion earlier today, the light heavyweight tournament will feature Quinton Jackson and Muhammed Lawal. “Rampage” will face ex-Bellator LHW champ Christian M’Pumbu while King Mo draws MIkhail Zayats in the opening round:
Emanating from Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun, the night features Rampage in a Light Heavyweight opening round battle with former Champion Christian M’Pumbu, while King Mo Lawal returns to face Russian submission ace Mikhail Zayats. The night will also feature the start of the Season 10 Featherweight Tournament.
Rampage (33-11) made his Bellator debut in November against late replacement Joey Beltran, winning by 1st round TKO and snapping his 3 fight losing streak. He was due to headline Bellator’s first PPV against Tito Ortiz before Ortiz pulled out with an injury, the PPV was turned into a Spike show, and Rampage was moved to a different card. M’Pumbu’s (18-5-1) reign as Bellator champion was ended early last year by Attila Vegh via unanimous decision. He’s lost his last 2, which also includes a non-title bout against Travis Wiuff.
Lawal (11-3, 1 NC) was famously knocked out cold last year by Emanuel Newton, or he otherwise would’ve faced Zayats in the final. He was granted a title shot after running through the Summer Series tourney, but once again lost to Newton in the rematch for the interim title. Zayats (22-7) fought Newton in the season 8 tournament final, only to lose a unanimous decision. He did pick up an easy non-tournament win over former UFC fighter Aaron Rosa in October.
Bellator 110 airs live on Spike TV at 9 PM ET, and more fights will be announced for this card in the coming weeks.
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