It’s all change on the fight card for the first ever Bellator London event next month.
The untimely death of Bellator superstar Kimbo Slice has forced matchmakers to switch up the card on July 16 at the 02 Arena.
The 42-year-old veteran and former street fighter had been due to fight James Thompson at Bellator 158 in London before his sad death on June 6.
“With the sudden, tragic loss of our dear friend Kimbo Slice, and with a heavy heart, we are making a number of changes to the ‘Bellator: London’ event,” a Bellator spokesman said.
“Rest assured – Bellator is fully committed to bringing an exciting, action-packed card that our fans worldwide have come to expect.”
Unbeaten British phenom Michael ‘Venon’ Page, widely regarded as one of the hottest properties in MMA, has been given a new opponent.
MVP, who is 10-0 after a series of stunning victories in the welterweight division, will now fight Brazilian veteran Evangelista ‘Cyborg’ Santos.
Page will be looking to add to his collection of nine first-round victories against the 38-year-old.
Updates to #Bellator158: London 👉 https://t.co/NbtRyUYaft pic.twitter.com/YD0sDDTaCZ
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 9, 2016
Big-punching former UFC star Paul Daley has been moved to top of the bill and it’s now official that he will fight Brazilian former world champion Douglas Lima.
The Nottingham welterweight was due to face Josh Koscheck in a grudge match following their fight at UFC 113 where ‘Semtex’ side-swiped him after the bell and was banished from the organisation.
However his American rival pulled out with an undisclosed injury and Lima stepped in at short notice in the top-of-the-bill bout.
Daley has finished eight of his previous 10 fights by knock-out as he continues to tear through the welterweight division, including an impressive first round finish over top contender Andy Uhrich.
The main card also features a light heavyweight contest between local hotshot Linton “The Swarm” Vassell and Francis “Limitless” Carmont as well as an all-British heavyweight slugfest pitting Mark Godbeer against James Mulheron.
Bellator 158: London” will be broadcast free on SPIKE UK and Channel 5 in the United Kingdom.
