A flyweight matchup pitting Lena Ovchynnikova (11-4) against Jaimelene Nievera (4-1) has been added to the main card of “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” on August 26 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
The fight joins a main card that includes a lightweight main event between fellow superstars Benson Henderson (23-6) and Patricio “Pitbull” (25-3). In addition, undefeated knockout artist A.J. McKee (4-0) clashes with former KOTC titlist Henry Corrales (12-3), while explosive lightweights Saad Awad (19-7) and Derek Anderson (13-2) go toe-to-toe in a matchup that you do not want to miss.
During the must-see preliminary portion of the event, Bubba Jenkins (11-2) will look for revenge against Georgi “Insane” Karakhanyan (24-6-1) in a featherweight rematch. In welterweight action, both Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. and Joey Davis will both suit up for the first time under the Bellator umbrella when they make their professional debuts.
Fighting out of Ukraine, Ovchynnikova will enter the cage in search of her first win under the Bellator MMA banner since joining the promotion at the beginning of this year. After making her professional debut in 2006, “Hunter” came out guns blazing, earning victories in each of her initial eight bouts. Of her 11 career wins, eight have come by way of submission, including six of the armbar variety.
Nievera will prepare to challenge the Ukrainian star in what is surely the stiffest test of her young career. Fresh off an emphatic knockout win over Stephanie Frausto at “Bellator 154: Davis vs. King Mo,” the Union City, Calif., native is eager to once again step back into the cage and represent Bellator MMA. Nicknamed “Queenie,” the 31-year-old Dragon House MMA product has her eyes set on building off of her current three-fight winning streak when she takes center stage in Anaheim on August 26.
Updated “Bellator 160: Henderson vs. Pitbull” SPIKE-Televised Main Card:
Lightweight No. 1 Contender Main Event: Benson Henderson (23-6) vs. Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (25-3)
Lightweight Co-Main Event: Saad Awad (19-7) vs. Derek Anderson (13-2)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (11-4) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)
Featherweight Feature Bout: A.J. McKee (4-0) vs. Henry Corrales (12-3)
Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Bubba Jenkins (11-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-6-1)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Joey Davis (Pro Debut) vs. Keith Cutrone (1-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Kevin Ferguson Jr. (Pro Debut) vs. Johnny Tomasian (Pro Debut)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Gabriel Green (2-0) vs. Alex Trinidad (1-0)
Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Ramirez (4-1) vs. Ron Henderson (4-2)
