Report: Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi will face Austin Vanderford in a main event in Ireland on February 25.
A highly anticipated Bellator middleweight title bout is on deck for the new year as champion Gegard Mousasi will face on Austin Vanderford on February 25 in Dublin, Ireland. MMAJunkie was first to report the news.
Mousasi (48-7-2) will be looking to continue what has been a spectacular run in Bellator on top of his already Hall of Fame worthy career outside the promotion. A professional since 2003, “The Dreamcatcher” has won belts in DREAM and Strikeforce and was a top ranked UFC contender before making the move to Bellator in 2017. He has posted a 6-1 record overall that includes winning the middleweight title on two occasions. He most recently defeated John Salter to defend the title in August.
Vanderford (11-0) is looking to fulfill the promise he has shown as one of the top young middleweight prospects to be seen in recent years. Seen as arguably the biggest snub to come off Dana White’s Contender Series after being passed over for a UFC contract in 2018, Vanderford has gone on to record five victories under the Bellator banner. He most recently competed against fellow contender Fabian Edwards in May to earn his shot at the title.
Bellator went Ireland earlier this month where the crowd was noted as one of the most electric of 2021. No other bouts for the undercard have been announced.
