Nick Newell is back.
Born and raised in Connecticut, Newell (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) will get another home matchup when he takes on Zach Zane at Bellator 241. The promotion announced the booking in a tweet Thursday.
Bellator 241 will take place March 13 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card is expected to stream on DAZN after prelims on MMA Junkie.
Newell, 33, is coming off a loss in October 2019 when he was upset by Manny Muro. The bout was the first Bellator main-card appearance for Newell and his first fight on his recently signed multi-fight deal.
After he failed to punch his ticket to the UFC on “Dana White’s Contender Series,” the former WSOF title challenger Newell had an unofficial “tryout” fight for Bellator in August 2019. He defeated Corey Browning via submission.
As for Zane (14-9 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), the Hawaiian fighter made his Bellator debut in December. The 30-year-old lightweight upset rising prospect Nainoa Dung by unanimous decision at Bellator 236. Other notable fights include a 2019 outing on “Dana White’s Contender Series,” as well as bouts under the Brave CF and FFC banners.
With the addition, the Bellator 241 lineup includes:
- Champ Patricio Freire vs. Pedro Carvalho – Bellator grand prix quarterfinal bout for featherweight title
- Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Daniel Weichel – Bellator grand prix quarterfinal bout
- Paul Daley vs. Sabah Homasi
- Josh Barnett vs. Ronny Markes
- Nick Newell vs. Zach Zane
