Bellator’s recent free agent signing Lorenz Larkin has been given a shot at the welterweight title on his debut appearance for the promotion at Bellator NYC.
The Viacom owned promotion announced on Thursday that Larkin will challenge the reigning 170lb champion Douglas Lima at Bellator NYC, the promotion’s pay-per-view card that follows Bellator 180 on June 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Larkin finalised the deal to sign with Bellator MMA earlier this month, after spending seven months on the sidelines.
Prior to parting ways with the UFC, Larkin won four of his last five bouts in the Octagon, including back to back victories over Neil Magny and Jorge Masvidal. Before his time in the UFC, “The Monsoon” went 4-0 under the Strikeforce banner.
After losing his welterweight title to Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 140, Lima got himself back in the win column with a decision victory over Paul Daley at Bellator 158. This earned Lima the chance to reclaim his 170lb belt when he rematched Koreshkov at Bellator 164. The Brazilian secured the third round stoppage to reclaim his title.
This is the second title fight to be announced on the card, following the news that Michael Chandler will defend his lightweight belt against the undefeated Brent Primus. Bellator’s New York debut also contains a heavyweight showdown between the legendary Fedor Emelianenko and Matt Mitrione as well as being headlined by a grudge match between Wanderlei Silva and Chael Sonnen.
Updated Bellator: NYC Card
Light-Heavyweight: Wanderlei Silva vs. Chael Sonnen
Heavyweight: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Matt Mitrione
Welterweight title: Douglas Lima (C) vs. Lorenz Larkin
Lightweight title: Michael Chandler (C) vs. Brent Primus
