After a break in the schedule, Bellator will launch the first show in its 2013 summer series on June 19 at Winstar World Casino in Thackerville, Oklahoma, sources confirmed to MMA Fighting on Tuesday.
The show will feature the return of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal, who will take part in a four-man mini-tournament to name a top contender in the promotion’s light-heavyweight division.
His opponent, as well as the rest of the event’s fight card, has yet to be finalized, the sources said.
Lawal (9-2, 1 no contest), a former Strikeforce light-heavyweight champion, was a prized free-agent pickup for Bellator, and was considered a favorite to advance through a season eight tournament, but after knocking out Przemyslaw Mysiala in his first-round bout, he was upset by Emanuel Newton in the semifinals.
The June 19 event that marks his return is scheduled for a Wednesday night, and will serve to promote the upcoming launch of the organization’s reality series, Fight Master: Bellator MMA.
The show is likely to debut on Thursday, June 20, in Bellator’s usual spot at 10 pm ET, following Impact Wrestling on Spike.
Fight Master will feature 32 fighters looking to fight their way into a Bellator tournament under the tutelage of coaches Randy Couture, Greg Jackson, Frank Shamrock and Joe Warren.
An official announcement on the debut of Fight Master is expected to be made within the next two weeks.