Leading mixed martial arts promotion Bellator MMA today announced that two thrilling middleweight bouts have been added to Bellator London: Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. Local London fighter Mike “Sea Bass” Shipman (13-1) puts his 13-fight win streak on the line against Costello “The Spaniard” van Steenis (11-1), while Dublin’s John “Johnny Jitzu” Redmond (7-13) goes up against unbeaten George “Tuco” Tokkos (3-0).
Joining the preliminary card will be Nathan “Dread” Grayson (6-3) who will face Frans “The Black Mamba” Mlambo (6-4) in a bantamweight clash.
Tickets for Bellator London: Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. are now on sale and can be purchased online from axs.com/uk and Bellator.com.
Former BAMMA middleweight champion Mike Shipman, who fights out of London, is one of Europe’s most exciting prospects in the Bellator middleweight division. Currently enjoying a 13-fight win streak, “Sea Bass” has secured first-round finishes in his four previous Bellator bouts, with his most recent coming at Bellator 210: Njokuani vs. Salter, against Scott Futrell. Shipman, who trains at London Shootfighters, will be hoping to make it five finishes from five for Bellator when he steps into the cage in his hometown for the second year in a row on June 22.
Standing in his way will be 26-year-old Dutch middleweight prospect Costello van Steenis, the training partner and understudy to Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi, who headlines the card. Van Steenis is currently riding a five-fight win streak and, like Shipman, is also currently undefeated in his Bellator MMA career, having successfully won his first three bouts for the promotion. With “The Spaniard” securing two first-round finishes in three outings for Bellator, fight fans can expect fireworks early on between the two middleweights.
Meanwhile, Dublin’s John Redmond will enter the cage for the first time since 2017 and will be hoping to get back in the win column following his loss to fellow Irish MMA fighter Charlie Ward at Bellator 187: McKee vs. Moore. Redmond, who trains with Team Ryano in Dublin, will make just his second appearance for Bellator in London.
He will come up against undefeated Londoner George Tokkos, who will make his debut for Bellator in his hometown on fight night. Tokkos, who was scheduled to face Redmond earlier in 2019 at Bellator 217: Gallagher vs. Graham, has secured KO or TKO victories in his last three fights and will be looking to add yet another in front of the home crowd.
Finally, Londoner Nathan Greyson, who trains at Titan Fighter gym in Tottenham, will step back into the Bellator cage for the first time since Bellator Newcastle: Pitbull vs. Scope¸ and the former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion will be hoping home support helps him secure his first win since signing for Bellator.
Standing in his way will be SBG’s very own Frans Mlambo, who will make his debut for Bellator in London. “The Black Mamba”, who fights out of Dublin, Ireland, joins the promotion following a victory in his most recent outing under the BFC banner, where he defeated Dansheel Moodley via first round submission.
Further announcements for Bellator London: Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. are expected in the coming weeks and tickets are expected to sell-out in what will be an unforgettable night for British MMA.
For further information visit Bellator.com
Updated Bellator London: Mousasi vs. Lovato Jr. Fight Card:
Middleweight World Title Main Event: Gegard Mousasi (45-6-2) vs. Rafael Lovato Jr. (9-0)
Welterweight Bout: Paul Daley (40-17-2) vs. Erick Silva (20-10, 1 NC)
140-lb. Catchweight Bout: James Gallagher (8-1) vs. Jeremiah Labiano (12-6)
160-lb. Catchweight Bout: Aaron Chalmers (4-1) vs. TBD
Women’s Flyweight Bout: Denise Kielholtz (2-2) vs. TBD
Lightweight Bout: Chris Bungard (14-4) vs. Charlie Leary (15-10-1)
Middleweight Bout: Mike Shipman (13-1) vs. Costello van Steenis (11-1)
Middleweight Bout: George Tokkos (4-0) vs. John Redmond (7-13)
Bantamweight Bout: Nathan Greyson (6-2) vs. Frans Mlambo (6-4)
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