Bellator MMA CEO Scott Coker has come through on talk of hosting an event at Penn State, as it appears Bellator 186 is set to take place on campus at the Bryce Jordan Center on November 3. Penn Live first reported the news, which was later confirmed by Sherdog. It’s another tentpole event for the promotion, who will be stacking the card with some of its biggest light heavyweight stars.
Capping the night will be the first title defense for Ryan Bader, who won the 205lb championship in his Bellator debut earlier this year at Bellator 180 in New York. Besting Phil Davis in that bout, Bader (23–5), currently on a three-fight win streak between the UFC and Bellator, will be meeting Linton Vassell with his freshly won belt on the line.
England’s Vassell (18–5 (1)) will enter Bellator 186 on a three-fight win streak of his own, over former Bellator light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton, UFC/Bellator standout Francis Carmont, and another former light heavyweight champ in Liam McGeary. The McGeary victory, a submission at Bellator 179 in England, punched his ticket to the title shot.
Also on the card will be former light heavyweight champ and Penn State alum Phil Davis, who spoke to Penn Live about the event. “When I graduated, I thought that would be the last time I competed on that campus. I just have so many memories there. Coming home is going to be a special time.”
Another Penn State alumni, Ed Ruth, will also be on the card. Neither Ruth nor Davis have opponents announced for the event.
