Bellator will make its return to New York City this summer and a light heavyweight bout between Lyoto Machida and Chael Sonnen is the first addition to the card.
MMA Junkie verified the booking between Machida (25-8 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and Sonnen (30-16-1 MMA, 2-3 BMMA) with a person close to the situation following an initial report from ESPN.com. The person request anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
The Bellator card, which has yet to be numbered, takes place June 14 at Madison Square Garden. Broadcast plans are unknown, but its likely to either air on Paramount or stream exclusively on DAZN.
Machida, the former UFC light heavyweight champion, will return to the 205-pound division for the first time since August 2013. After 25 UFC appearances, Machida left the promotion when he became a free agent in late 2018 and ultimately signed with Bellator.
After beating ex-champ Rafael Carvalho by split decision in his promotional debut at Bellator 213 in December, Machida draws Sonnen for his second Bellator bout. Sonnen will return to light heavyweight after he was eliminated from the semifinals of the Bellator heavyweight grand prix by Fedor Emelianenko in October.
The fight will likely serve as one of the featured bouts on the June card, which will mark Bellator’s second event in New York City.
For more on upcoming Bellator scheduled, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.
