It’s been a long wait, but Bellator lightweight Jake Smith is finally set to return to action.
Smith took to Twitter to announce his second appearance under the Bellator banner as he prepares to face Adam Piccolotti at Bellator 226 on September 7. The matchup was subsequently confirmed to MMA Junkie by Bellator officials.
Smith (7-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) made his Bellator debut back in January 2018 with a 57-second KO of Steve Kozola at Bellator 193, but was forced out of action after sustaining a hip injury.
Now back to fitness and raring to go again, Smith returns to action in San Jose against 10-fight Bellator veteran Piccolotti (11-3 MMA, 7-3 BMMA), who is looking to bounce back after his split-decision loss to former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson at Bellator 220 in April.
Bellator 226 features a battle for the heavyweight title in its main event, with Ryan Bader taking on Cheick Kongo. The event also marks the start of Bellator’s eagerly-anticipated featherweight grand prix tournament.
Confirmed fights for Bellator 226 include:
MAIN CARD (DAZN, 10 p.m. E.T.)
- Ryan Bader vs Cheick Kongo (heavyweight title)
- Derek Campos vs. Daniel Straus (featherweight tournament opening round)
- Adam Borics vs Pat Curran (featherweight tournament opening round)
- Tywan Claxton vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (featherweight tournament opening round)
- Pedro Carvalho vs. Sam Sicilia (featherweight tournament opening round)
PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 6:45 p.m. E.T.)
- Jake Smith vs. Adam Piccolotti
- Ivan Betinich vs. Daniel Compton
- Evan Gubera vs Cornelius Savage
