While the UFC passed their marquee ‘200’ show back in July of 2016, Bellator still has a few to go. But, that doesn’t mean they can’t start planning ahead for what is already shaping up to be a notable event for the promotion. The now Paramount Network organization announced the first two fights for their May 25th Bellator 200 card today, set for the SSE Arena in London, England.
Most notably, Gegard Mousasi returns to face off against current middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho, who will look to make the 4th defense of his belt in the contest. Mousasi ended his 6-year relationship with Zuffa promotions, having come over to the UFC in 2013 as part of their Strikeforce acquisition back in 2011. He went 11-3-1 during his time under the combined Zuffa banners, although he never managed to compete for a UFC title. Mousasi joined Bellator in 2017, picking up a decision win over Alexander Shlemenko in his debut. This will be his second fight for the promotion.
His opponent, Rafael Carvalho, won the Bellator title back in 2015, defeating former champion Brandon Halsey – who had been forced to vacate the title several months prior, after failing to make weight in a defense against Kendall Grove. With a record of 15-1, Carvalho has yet to taste defeat since a 2011 submission loss, in the first pro bout of his career. Most recently, he’s coming off a pair of knockout wins, defeating Melvin Manhoef and Alessio Sakara. This will be the first fight for both men in 2018.
Joining them is a scheduled welterweight fight between top striking attraction Michael ‘Venom’ Page and longtime Bellator action staple David Rickels. Page returns to MMA for the first time since an ugly split decision win over Fernando Gonzalez in 2016, having pulled out of a bout against Derek Anderson in 2017, citing a knee injury. In the meantime, Page took the first boxing bout of his career, defeating Jonathan Castano in October of 2017, via 3rd round TKO.
‘The Caveman’ David Rickels enters this bout having moved back up to welterweight in 2017 after a long stretch at 155. He’s currently riding a two fight win streak, with a knockout of Aaron Derrow at Bellator 171 and a decision over Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 189. Prior to those wins, he suffered a knockout loss to Melvin Guillard, which was later overturned to a no-contest due to Guillard failing a drug test (reportedly for cocaine, per MMA Fighting).
Stay tuned to Bloody Elbow for more news and updates on upcoming fight cards.