Bellator’s return to Chicago, which will take place June 16, 2023 at Wintrust Arena, continues to grow.
On Wednesday, promotion officials announced the addition of six new fights to the series Bellator Card 297including two ranked fighters.
Among the newly added bouts is the middleweight contest that features former title challenger Austin Vanderford (11-2), ranked No. 5 in the division, to take on undefeated Dagestani pro Emamshafi Aliyev (9-0).
Aliyev will enter the Bellator cage for the second time in the fight, and will undergo his toughest test yet against US Top Team’s Vanderford, a former player. Dana White Rivalry Series The competitor who was denied a contract despite finishing the offer in 2018.
Also added to the agenda on June 16, Leandro Hugo (21-6), ranked #7 in the bantamweight division, looks to bounce back from a loss in the World Heavyweight Grand Prix against Danny Sabatiello when he faces Russia’s Nikita Mikhailov (9) – 2).
Higo joined Bellator in 2017, and faced Darrion Caldwell for the promotion’s 135lb title the following year.
Another newly added middleweight bout at Bellator 297 sees Jordan Newman (5-0) take on Matthew Perry (5-3), while lightweight Mike Hamill (10-5) takes on Shamil Nikayev (10-0). Featherweight prospect Cody Law (6-2) will return against newcomer Edwin Chavez (6-4) and, rounding out new additions, Wladmir Gouvea (1-0) faces Kevin Childs (1-1) at heavyweight.
Bellator 297 leads a pair of title fights, with lightweight champ Vadym Nemkov taking on Yoel Romero, and former 155-pound reigning featherweight champ Patricio Pitbull dropping to bantamweight in search of a third championship against Sergio Pettis.
The following fights were reported for Bellator 297 on June 16, 2023:
- Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero – Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Championship
- Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Pitbull – for the Bellator MMA Championship
- Corey Anderson vs. Phil Davis
- Daniel James vs. Gokhan Sarikam
- Kyle Crotcher vs. Bobby Nash
- Austin Vanderford vs. Imam Shafi Aliyev
- Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Peter Boist
- Leandro Hugo vs. Nikita Mikhailov
- Jalil Willis vs. Ramzan Kuramagomedov
- Alex Polizzi vs. Carl Moore
- Wladmir Gouvea vs. Kevin Childs
- Archie Colgan vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
- Mike Hamill vs. Shamil Nekiev
- Norbert Novene Jr. vs. Camille Onizczuk
- Timur Khizriev vs. Richie Smolin
- Jordan Newman vs. Matthew Perry
- Cody Law vs. Edwin Chavez
- Max Metzgar vs. David McKinney