Bellator set for back-to-back shows in September with vacant bantamweight title on the line
Bellator is set to have back-to-back shows on September 11 and 12 with the vacant bantamweight title on the line.
The promotion is set to hold Bellator 245 and Bellator 246 according to ESPN, and several fights have been reported.
In the main event of Bellator 245, Lyoto Machida and Phil Davis are set for their rematch seven years in the making. The pair fought at UFC 163 with Davis winning by decision. On the card, Cat Zingano will also be making her promotional debut against Gabby Holloway.
At Bellator 246, the vacant bantamweight title is on the line as Juan Archuleta takes on the undefeated Patrick Mix. The card also sees the return of Jon Fitch against Neiman Gracie, Liz Carmouche’s debut against DeAnna Bennett and Derek Campos vs. Roger Huerta.
Lyoto Machida is coming off a split decision loss to Gegard Mousasi last time out. It was his return to middleweight, but after the loss is going back up to his 205-pounds. In Bellator, the 42-year-old is 2-1 with a TKO win over Chael Sonnen and a decision win over Rafael Carvalho. The Brazilian is still a big name in the sport and a win over Davis could earn him a light heavyweight title shot.
Phil Davis, meanwhile, is on a two-fight winning streak. Last time out, he beat Karl Albrektsson by TKO after beating Liam McGeary by TKO. Davis is the former Bellator light heavyweight champion but lost to belt to Ryan Bader by split decision, it was his second split decision loss to Bader as he also lost in the UFC to him.
In the main event of Bellator 246, Juan Archuleta is dropping back down to bantamweight after having his past couple of fights at featherweight. At 135-pounds, he did become the top contender with a win over Ricky Bandejas.
Patrick Mix, meanwhile, is undefeated and a perfect 2-0 in Bellator, with an additional fight in RIZIN. He is someone many are high on. But, this will be the toughest test of his career against Archuleta.
The winner of Archuleta vs. Mix will have their first title defense against Sergio Pettis.
