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Nolan King

Bellator books former champ Vitaly Minakov vs. Tyrell Fortune for Moscow

Fedor Emelianenko won’t be the only big name Bellator heavyweight competing on the promotion’s debut in Russia.

Former Bellator heavyweight champion Vitaly Minakov is set to compete for the first time since August 2019 when he takes on Tyrell Fortune. The event takes place Oct. 23 at VTB Arena.

A promotional official confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after Bellator president Scott Coker announced the news on an Instagram live with Russian news agency TASS.

Minakov (22-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA), who hasn’t competed since August 2019, bounced back from a close split decision loss to Cheick Kongo when he defeated Timothy Johnson via first-round knockout at Bellator 225.

Fortune (11-1 MMA, 11-1 BMMA), meanwhile, rides a three-fight winning streak into the matchup including back-to-back stoppages against Jack May and Matt Mitrione. The three consecutive victories, as well as a no contest against May, came after Fortune’s first and only loss, a knockout defeat to Timothy Johnson in February 2020.

With the addition, the Oct. 23 lineup includes:

Fedor Emelianenko vs. TBA
Usman Nurmagomedov vs. TBA
Tyrell Fortune vs. Vitaly Minakov

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