ESPN reports that the super fight between Gegard Mousasi and Rory MacDonald for the Bellator middleweight title will take place on September 29 in San Jose, California.
ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reports that the middleweight superfight between Gegard Mousasi and Rory MacDonald will take place on September 29 in San Jose, California. The fight is expected to be one of the biggest events in Bellator history as both men entered the promotion last year as two of the biggest free agent signings of 2017.
Newly crowned middleweight champ @mousasi_mma calls out welterweight champ @rory_macdonald to be the first to challenge him for the title. #Bellator200 pic.twitter.com/pgGQ1FIafZ
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 28, 2018
Gegard Mousasi entered Bellator after putting together a five-fight win streak in the UFC. While the run was impressive, the former Strikeforce and Dream champion took a back-seat in the loaded title picture and chose instead to sign with Bellator where he could pursue bigger opportunities more immediately. He defeated top contender Alexander Shlemenko in his promotional debut and won the middleweight championship in dominant fashion against Rafael Carvalho last month. While Mousasi hasn’t discussed much beyond the super fight with Rory, he has not ruled out a return to the light-heavyweight division to possibly win another title.
@mousasi_mma congratulations on you dominant victory, @ScottCoker @rich_chou i know you wanted a title defense from me before challenging at middle weight. but myself vs @mousasi_mma is the fight to make right now, so lets make this happen!?
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) May 25, 2018
Rory MacDonald entered the UFC in 2010 as the youngest fighter on the roster. He compiled an impressive 9-3 record in the promotion and was long promoted as the heir apparent to the welterweight division ruled by his countryman and teammate Georges St. Pierre. MacDonald chose to sign with Bellator in 2017 and defeated Paul Daley in his promotional debut. This past January, MacDonald took the welterweight title from the explosive champion Douglas Lima in a five-round effort. It should be noted, MacDonald has never fought at middleweight before in his career.
Although yet to be formally announced by the promotion, it is expected that the event will be held at the SAP Center in San Jose. Yesterday, Wanderlei Silva announced he would be facing Rampage Jackson on the same date and it is expected that the bout will serve as the co-main event to the Mousasi vs. MacDonald championship bout.
Bellator will be holding a press conference next Tuesday in New York where Silva and Jackson are expected to attend. It is expected that Mousasi and MacDonald will be in attendance as well to formally announce the event and provide further details.
