An injury to Linton Vassell (16-5, 1 NC) has derailed “The Swarm’s” summer plans of competing in front of his fellow Englishmen against Francis Carmont (24-11) during the main card of “Bellator 158: London,” which will take place on July 16 inside one of the world’s most popular venues, The O2 in London, England. Instead, Carmont will now fight Lukasz Klinger (7-2) at 205-pounds.
Vassell out, Francis Carmont now faces Lukasz Klinger at Bellator 158
One of the card’s featured preliminary fights has also changed, with the news that the always-exciting James Mulheron (8-1) will now enter the cage to fight London native Neil Grove (12-7).
In addition to these newly announced bouts, fans will also have the pleasure of watching the always-entertaining British sensationPaul Daley (38-13-2), as he prepares to put on a show for his hometown fans against former welterweight world champion and knockout specialist, Douglas Lima (26-6). Michael “Venom” Page (10-0) aims to continue his raging pace and remain unbeaten when he challenges himself against MMA veteran “Cyborg” Santos (21-17). Rounding out the televised action, Matt Mitrione (10-5) will return after his emphatic win last month to face “Britain’s Strongest Man” Oli Thompson (17-8) in a heavyweight beater, andJames Gallagher (3-0) takes on Mike Cutting (6-5).
In the United Kingdom, “Bellator 158: London” will be broadcast on SPIKE UK from 9 – 10 p.m. BST and Channel 5 from 10 p.m. – midnight BST. Meanwhile in America, the card will air live and free on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Tickets start at only £40.00 and are on sale now at TheO2.co.uk or The O2 Box Office.
Hailing from Paris, France, the 34-year-old Carmont will be making his first appearance of 2016 and fourth under the Bellator MMA umbrella. Carmont had strung together a couple wins before his most recent appearance at “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1.” After winning his first bout of the evening, Carmont replaced an injured Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal on just a few minutes’ notice, to face a formidable Phil Davis in the tournament final, where he was defeated. Now, “Limitless” looks to upset Klinger during the main card of “Bellator 158: London.”
A native of Przemysl, Poland, Klinger has been competing professionally since 2013 and taken fights almost exclusively in the United Kingdom. The 32-year-old went nearly three years without suffering his first loss as a pro, amassing finishes in all seven of his victories. “Hitman” has laced up the gloves once already in 2016, and now looks to impress in his Bellator MMA debut when he faces Carmont on July 16 at The O2 in London.
“Bellator 158: London” Fight Card
Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Douglas Lima (26-6) vs. Paul Daley (38-13-2)
Bellator MMA Heavyweight Feature Bout: Matt Mitrione (10-5) vs. Oli Thompson (17-8)
Bellator MMA Welterweight Feature Bout: Michael Page (10-0) vs. Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos (21-17)
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Feature Bout: Francis Carmont (24-11) vs. Lukasz Klinger (7-2)
Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: James Gallagher (3-0) vs. Mike Cutting (6-5)
Preliminary Card:
Bellator MMA Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: James Mulheron (8-1) vs. Neil Grove (12-7)
Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Michael Shipman (8-1) vs. Lee Chadwick (21-12-1)
Bellator MMA Flyweight Preliminary Bout: Pietro Menga (12-0) vs. Spencer Hewitt (12-10)
Bellator MMA Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Luiz Tosta (9-2) vs. Dean Garnett (7-0)
Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Jason Radcliffe (8-2) vs. Jack Mason (29-15)
Bellator MMA Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Morton (6-2) vs. Nathaniel Wood (8-3)
Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Alex Reid (11-9-1) vs. Manuel Garcia (27-19)
Bellator MMA Middleweight Preliminary Bout: C.J. Meeks (4-1) vs. Danny Mitchell (17-7-1)
