BELLATOR MMA’s first-ever event in Russia just got even bigger, as BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson on Saturday, October 23 has officially added five more scintillating matchups.
As if the return of Russian legend Fedor Emelianenko wasn’t enough, two more of his countrymen join him on this stacked SHOWTIME-televised main card. Russian superstar and No. 6 ranked lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) takes on Patrik Pietila (11-8), while former BELLATOR Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov (22-1) makes his highly-anticipated return to action against No. 8 ranked heavyweight Said Sowma (7-2) in the co-main event of the evening.
Tickets for the massive event are on sale now and can be purchased at Kassir.ru. Additional matchups and BBC iPlayer telecast details will be revealed soon.
The preliminary card of BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson has three confirmed bouts, with the homecoming of Russian submission ace Grachik Bozinyan (11-4) taking on former Cage Warriors Welterweight Champion Ross Houston (8-1), SBG-product and Irish star Brian Moore (14-7) squaring off with the BELLATOR-debuting Nikita Mikhailov (7-1) at 135-pounds, and sambo specialist Alexey Shurkevich (12-4) challenging the hard-hitting Christian Eckerlin (13-5) in a welterweight bout. Preliminary action will stream live on BBC iPlayer for fans in the UK and on the BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel, SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel, and Pluto TV for non-UK fans.
Initially known for being the cousin of Russian superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov, undefeated No. 6 ranked lightweight Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) has quickly made a name for himself and ascended into the 155-pound title conversation. Coming off a dominant victory in July and knockouts in five of his last six contests, the dangerous Russian looks primed and ready to continue his climb for a title shot with a win over Pietila, while putting on a show for the country he calls home.
Stepping into the BELLATOR cage for the first time in over two years, the former BELLATOR Heavyweight Champion Vitaly Minakov (22-1) looks to remind the promotion’s heavyweight division how dangerous he is. With 20 of his 22 professional victories coming by way of stoppage, the four-time sambo world champion takes on No. 8 ranked heavyweight Said Sowma (7-2) in a fight that will instantly throw his name into the title picture if Minakov emerges victorious.
Replacing the injured Tyrell Fortune, the American Top Team-product Said Sowma (7-2) didn’t hesitate at the opportunity to welcome Vitaly Minakov back to the BELLATOR cage. Fresh off a highlight reel first-round knockout over UFC veteran Ronny Markes and debuting at No. 8 on the BELLATOR heavyweight rankings, the 28-year-old has finished five of his seven professional victories and plans on making a huge statement over the former champion in enemy territory.
Updated BELLATOR 269: Fedor vs. Johnson Card:
Heavyweight Main Event: Fedor Emelianenko (39-6, 1 NC) vs. #2-Tim Johnson (15-7)
Heavyweight Bout: Vitaly Minakov (22-1) vs. #8-Said Sowma (7-2)
160-pound contract weight bout: #6-Usman Nurmagomedov (13-0) vs. Patrik Pietila (11-8)
Welterweight Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (24-4) vs Rustam Khabilov (24-4)
Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight Bout: Brian Moore (14-7) vs. Nikita Mikhailov (7-1)
Welterweight Bout: Grachik Bozinyan (11-4) vs. Ross Houston (8-1, 1 NC)
Women’s Flyweight Bout: Irina Alekseeva (3-1) vs. Stephanie lelo Page (5-2)
Welterweight Bout: Alexey Shurkevich (12-4) vs. Christian Eckerlin (13-5)
*Card subject to change.
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