Emmanuel Sanchez now rematches Georgi Karakhanyan in Bellator 218 main event
Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan will replace Ashleigh Grimshaw against Emmanuel “El Matador” Sanchez in the main event of Bellator 218 set for March 22 at the WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma. The new main event is a rematch from Bellator 170 where Sanchez took a majority decision victory.
For Sanchez, their first meeting would be the catalyst for a four-fight win streak which included submissions of former champion Daniel Straus and UFC vet Sam Sicilia. The win streak earned the Roufusport product a title opportunity in Israel. “El Mataor” would go the distance, losing a decision to champion Patricio Freire.
For Karakhanyan this fight will kick off his third stint with Bellator MMA. The Russian born fighter fought for the promotion in 2010 and 2011, as well as from January of 2015 to January of 2018, before two fights with ACB (Absolute Championship Berkut). A former WSOF champion “Insane” has won four of his last seven fights, with three finishes.
Main Card
145: Emmanuel Sanchez (17-4) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (28-8-1, 1nc)
265: Valentin Moldavsky (7-1) vs. Linton Vassell (19-7)
185: Hracho Darpinyan (17-8-2) vs. Mike Shipman (13-1)
Prelims
155: Nation Gibrick (2-0) vs. Nick Page (0-2)
135: Aaron Vickers (3-1) vs. Isaiah Gutierrez (4-1)
125: Ky Bennett (1-1) vs. Deborah Kouzmin (1-0)
185: Norbert Novenyl Jr. (2-0) vs. William Lavine (1-1)
185: Johnny Eblen (4-0) vs. Chauncey Foxworth (9-7)
185: Anatoly Tokov (27-3) vs. Gerald Harris (25-7-1)
