Gegard Mousasi will defend his Bellator title this summer.
Mousasi will headline Bellator’s June event against top contender Johnny Eblen.
The bout takes place June 24 live on Showtime from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
In addition, fight fans can expect a captivating, supporting televised card for Bellator 282: Mousasi vs. Eblen with the remaining two Bantamweight World Grand Prix quarterfinal matchups featuring Magomed “Tiger” Magomedov (18-2-0) and Leandro “Pitbull” Higo (21-5-0).
The opponents for both men will be determined by a pair of Wild Card bouts set to take place at Bellator 278 on Friday, April 22. Magomedov will take on the winner of the fight between Enrique Barzola (17-5-2) and No. 8-ranked Josh Hill (21-4), while Leandro Higo awaits the winner of the bout between No. 9-ranked Jornel Lugo (8-0) and Danny Sabatello (11-1).
These fighters will be looking to advance in the tournament with their sights set on winning the Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Grand Prix, along with taking home the interim world title and a cool $1 million check.
Mousasi is widely considered one of the very best fighters of all time. Having competed in multiple weight classes from welterweight all the way up to super heavyweight, Mousasi has asserted his dominance against all comers.
A rising name amongst the Bellator MMA stable, currently No.1-ranked Johnny Eblen has impressed MMA-fandom with his ability to find the “cheat code” to take down all his opponents. With 11 pro fights under his belt, Eblen jumped in rankings when he beat previously No.1-ranked John Salter on March 12.
BELLATOR 282: MOUSASI VS. EBLEN MAIN CARD:
Friday, June 24 – live on SHOWTIME
9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT
Middleweight World Championship Main Event: C–Gegard Mousasi (49-7-2) vs. No. 1-Johnny Eblen (11-0)
Bantamweight World Grand Prix: No. 4-Magomed Magomedov (18-2-0) vs. Enrique Barzola or Josh Hill
Bantamweight World Grand Prix: No. 6-Leandro Higo (21-5-0) vs. Jornel Lugo or Danny Sabatello
BELLATOR 282: MOUSASI VS. EBLEN PRELIMINARY CARD:
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV
6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT
Flyweight Bout: No. 5-Alejandra Lara (9-5) vs. Ilara Joanne (9-6)