Another former UFC contender has been added to the equation in a one-night light heavyweight tournament at Bellator 142 on September 19. Previously a top middleweight, Francis Carmont will meet Philipe Lins in a tournament alternate bout at the event.
The contest was reported by MMA Junkie on Thursday, August 27.
Following a three-bout losing streak, Carmont was released by the UFC in 2014. He then signed with Bellator MMA and made his debut with the promotion as a 205-pounder in March. It wasn’t an overly memorable performance, but Carmont was able to get back into the win column in a decision against Guilherme Viana.
One of the bigger names under the Bellator MMA banner, Carmont is now in a position where he could have a chance to prove he’s a top light heavyweight. He’ll need some help, but anything could happen in a one-night tournament, so it’s definitely not out of the question that the Frenchman could find a spot in the Bellator 142 tournament finals as long as he beats Lins.
With a 9-1 record, Lins is no slouch, but he’s definitely going to be an underdog against the more experienced Carmont. The Brazilian definitely has more to gain from this matchup, even if an alternate is not needed for the light heavyweight tournament finals.
Former Strikeforce champion Muhammed Lawal, former UFC light heavyweight contender Phil Davis, former Bellator MMA champion Emanuel Newton and Linton Vassell are expected to competed in the light heavyweight tournament. With a number of big names competing in the intriguing, one-night event, it seems likely that the winner would end up challenging the victor of the Bellator 142 main event between Liam McGeary and Tito Ortiz for the light heavyweight championship.
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