Mike ‘The Marine’ Richman set to face Nam Phan for Bellator 131

Bellator veteran Mike Richman will kick off Bellator’s big Nov. 15 main card against former UFC fighter Nam Phan in a bantamweight fight. Bellator announced the bout on Friday night during the telecast of Bellator 129.

The 29-year old Minnesota native Richman has been with Bellator since his 2012 victory over Chris Horodecki. “The Marine” is coming off a knockout victory over Ed West at Bellator 126 in September, and has gone 6-4 overall with the promotion in two years.

“This is a fight that is going to kick off this stacked show with a bang,” Richman said in a statement sent out by Bellator on Friday night. “Fans can expect two talented punchers staying in the pocket looking for the finish. I plan on seeing a bunch of Marines in attendance cheering loud, and just like we do in the Marine Corps, I’m going to locate, close width, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver.”

Phan — who fought eight times in the UFC — is coming off of back-to-back victories in Japan against Kenichi Ito and Yuki Baba. The 31-year old was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 12, where he advanced to the semifinals and eventually lost to Michael Johnson. In the UFC the Orange County native went just 2-6, but scored a split decision victory over Cole Miller at UFC on FOX 4.

“I’m very excited to be part of the new Bellator with Scott Coker and the rest of the team,” Phan said in the press release “This is an opportunity to fight on a huge stage once again and I’m so happy to be able to fight in front of all my friends, family and supporters in California.”

Bellator 131 will take place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California, on Nov. 15. The event will be headlined by Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight tilt, with a lightweight title rematch between Michael Chandler and Will Brooks as the co-main.

Bellator veteran Mike Richman will kick off Bellator’s big Nov. 15 main card against former UFC fighter Nam Phan in a bantamweight fight. Bellator announced the bout on Friday night during the telecast of Bellator 129.

The 29-year old Minnesota native Richman has been with Bellator since his 2012 victory over Chris Horodecki. “The Marine” is coming off a knockout victory over Ed West at Bellator 126 in September, and has gone 6-4 overall with the promotion in two years.

“This is a fight that is going to kick off this stacked show with a bang,” Richman said in a statement sent out by Bellator on Friday night. “Fans can expect two talented punchers staying in the pocket looking for the finish. I plan on seeing a bunch of Marines in attendance cheering loud, and just like we do in the Marine Corps, I’m going to locate, close width, and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuver.”

Phan — who fought eight times in the UFC — is coming off of back-to-back victories in Japan against Kenichi Ito and Yuki Baba. The 31-year old was a cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 12, where he advanced to the semifinals and eventually lost to Michael Johnson. In the UFC the Orange County native went just 2-6, but scored a split decision victory over Cole Miller at UFC on FOX 4.

“I’m very excited to be part of the new Bellator with Scott Coker and the rest of the team,” Phan said in the press release “This is an opportunity to fight on a huge stage once again and I’m so happy to be able to fight in front of all my friends, family and supporters in California.”

Bellator 131 will take place at the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California, on Nov. 15. The event will be headlined by Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar in a light heavyweight tilt, with a lightweight title rematch between Michael Chandler and Will Brooks as the co-main.