Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi is finally healthy and set to return to action this summer.
Mousasi (45-6-2 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) will put his 185-pound belt up for grabs against Rafael Lovato Jr. (9-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) in the headliner of Bellator’s return to London in June, the promotion announced today. The fight was originally planned for January, but the champion was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Bellator London takes place June 22 at The SSE Arena, Wembley in London. Broadcast plans for the card have not been revealed, but it’s likely to air on Paramount via tape-delay or stream on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Mousasi, No. 3 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, is coming off a dominant display and first title defense of his belt against Rory MacDonald at Bellator 206 in September. “The Dreamcatcher” is on an eight-fight winning streak and has experienced just one defeat in the past four years.
Lovato Jr., meanwhile, will attempt to continue his undefeated career by winning his first major championship. The grappling standout has earned four of his five Bellator victories by stoppage, including a submission of John Salter at Bellator 205 in September.
Welterweight contender Paul Daley (40-17-2 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) and Irish bantamweight prospect James Gallagher (8-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) are also expected to compete in main card bouts at Bellator London, but the promotion has yet to announce opponents for either fighter.
For more on Bellator London, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.
