Attila Vegh makes his long-awaited return to the circled cage of Bellator as the promotion announced Thursday the Bellator light heavyweight champion will attempt to unify the titles as he takes on Bellator interim light heavyweight champion and season 8 tournament winner Emanuel Newton. That fight is set to headline Bellator 113, which takes place March 21 at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. The main card of that event will air live on Spike TV.
Vegh, 28, only fought once in 2013 when he took the light heavyweight title from then-champion Christian M’Pumbu at Bellator 91. Vegh was expected to face Newton at Bellator 106 and suggested in interviews he was healthy enough to compete on the card, but according to Bellator officials, couldn’t compete because of timeline issues. He holds a professional record of 29-4-2.
Newton, 30, most recently competed at Bellator 106 in August where he defeated Muhammed Lawal via unanimous decision. His record stands at 22-7-1.
Vegh and Newton have faced one another previously with Vegh taking a razor close split decision victory in the 2012 Summer Series tournament final at Bellator 72 in July of 2012.
Also announced for Bellator 113 is the launch of their season 10 lightweight tournament. Tournament participants are season 8 lightweight tournament winner David Rickels, Patricy Freire, season 7 lightweight tournament finalist Marcin Held, Rodrigo Cavalhero, UFC veteran Terry Etim, Dererk Anderson, Brandon Girtz and Derek Campos.
The announced main card for Bellator 113 is as follows:
Attila Vegh vs. Emanuel Newton
David Rickels vs. Patricky Pitbull
Marcin Held vs. Rodrigo Cavalheiro
Terry Etim vs. Derek Anderson
Brandon Girtz vs. Derek Campos