Rafael Carvalho v Vadim Nemkov | Bellator
It is a triple-header of shows in Milan on Saturday night showcasing some of the organisation’s best international talent.
Bellator return to Italy for the seventh time this weekend for an evening which features three different cards. The promotion’s debut in Milan at the Allianz Cloud plays host to Bellator 230, Bellator Milan and Bellator Kickboxing 12 so there will be no shortage of action. Some of the organisation’s best international talent will be on display and many European fighters who aren’t yet known around the world will be looking to put on eye-catching performances.
A fascinating contest at light heavyweight headlines the Bellator 230 portion of the show which sees previous middleweight champion, Rafael Carvalho, take on surging contender, Vadim Nemkov. The Brazilian, Carvalho (16-3), is making his debut at 205lbs and hopes that the change in division will throw him immediately among the current title contenders. His streak as middleweight champion came to an end when he was defeated by Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 200 last May which he followed up with a split decision loss to Lyoto Machida. However, he got back in the win column three months ago when he overcame Chidi Njokuani by utilising his grappling alongside the striking which he is famous for.
Nemkov (10-2) is undefeated in Bellator since he joined the roster in 2017 and the Fedor Emelianenko protegee has a very strong claim to a title shot if he emerges victorious in Milan. He made a devastating debut in the promotion when he knocked out Philipe Lins in three minutes and went on to get his hand raised against former champion, Liam McGeary, after battering the Englishman’s legs until he was no longer able to stand. Nemkov picked up the biggest win of his career so far in his last outing against another former champion, Phil Davis. He has been away from the cage for nearly a year so it will be interesting to see what improvements the 27-year-old has made to his game since fans saw him last.
Other notable bouts on Bellator 230 include the second MMA bout of decorated kickboxer, Hesdy Gerges (0-1), as he faces off against Dragos Zubko (2-1) in a heavyweight battle which could well be an all-action stand up affair. Also, the man who gave Gerges his first loss in MMA, Domingos Barros (6-0), returns to the cage after that upset win opposite the Russian, Kirill Sidelnikov (11-6).
Bellator Milan is the fifth installment of the promotion’s European Series and features the return of one of the most aggressive and devastating strikers in the history of MMA. After being unable to capture the Bellator middleweight title on two different occasions, Melvin Manhoef (31-14-1, 2NC), came back to the cage after a two year absence in June and beat Kent Kauppinen at light heavyweight. The Dutchman has finished 28 of his 31 victories by knockout which shows the fight-ended power he possess which can shut out anyone’s lights in an instant. However, he has shown vulnerability on the feet over his last few contests so needs to ensure he keeps his defense tight in order to avoid any knockdowns.
Yannick Bahati (9-4, 1NC) earned a vital win over Amir Dadovic at Bellator Birmingham in May which ended a three fight skid. The former BAMMA middleweight champion successfully stepped up to light heavyweight and showcased his recently earned jiu-jitsu black belt with a first round submission. He is well-travelled and has competed in EFC and KSW in recent times but this is definitely the biggest opportunity of his career so far. Manhoef has been defeated seven times by submission so looking to take his opponent down may be the clearest path to victory for Bahati.
Former Cage Warriors welterweight champion, Stefano Paterno (12-3-1) makes his Bellator debut in front of a partisan crowd when he takes on late replacement, Ashley Reece (8-1), who is looking to move to 3-0 in the promotion during the European Series co-main event. Kane Mousah (12-2) returns to the cage and hopes to prove to fans he is a rising force at lightweight when he makes the flight from England to square off with Rafael Macedo (9-4, 1NC). In an attempt to ensure the Italian fans stick around until the end of the show, fan-favourite Alessio Sakara (20-13, 2NC) takes on Canaan Grigsby (8-7) in the main event at the arena but it is not yet known if this will be available for fans around the world to watch live.
The card which opens the evening is Bellator Kickboxing 12 and is headlined by a featherweight title bout as champion, Gabriel Varga (17-6), returns to kickboxing after making a successful MMA debut in July to face Cristian Faustino (31-11-2). Chingiz Allazov (59-3, 1 NC) also features on the card alongside Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee (287-52-4) and Kevin Ross (33-11).
Bellator 230: Carvalho vs. Nemkov will air via tape delay on Sky Sports in the U.K. and Ireland at 2 a.m. BST early on Sunday morning. Paramount Network and DAZN will air the event in the U.S. at 9 p.m. ET/8c also on tape delay. Bellator Milan: Manhoef vs. Bahati will air LIVE at 10 p.m. BST on Channel 5 in the U.K. and on the Bellator Mobile App in the U.S. at 5 p.m. ET/4c. Bellator Kickboxing 12: Varga vs. Faustino will be available to watch live and free globally on the Bellator Mobile App beginning at 4 p.m. BST and 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m C in the U.S.
Bloody Elbow will be in attendance at the Allianz Cloud in Milan, Italy so stay tuned for coverage all weekend long.
Bellator 230: Carvalho vs. Nemkov Fight Card:
Light Heavyweight Main Event: Rafael Carvalho (16-3) vs. Vadim Nemkov (10-2)
Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Hesdy Gerges (0-1) vs. Dragos Zubco (2-1)
Heavyweight Feature Bout: Kirill Sidelnikov (11-6) vs. Domingos Barros (6-0)
Welterweight Feature Bout: Andrea Fusi (8-4) vs. Walter Pugliesi (4-2)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Nicolo Solli (2-0) vs. Dan Cassell (4-3-1)
Bellator Milan: Manhoef vs. Bahati Fight Card:
Light Heavyweight Main Event: Melvin Manhoef (31-14-1, 2 NC) vs. Yannick Bahati (9-4, 1 NC)
Welterweight Co-Main Event: Stefano Paterno (12-3-1) vs. Ashley Reece (8-1)
Lightweight bout: Kane Mousah (12-2) vs. Rafael Macedo (9-4, 1 NC)
Light Heavyweight House Main Event: Alessio Sakara (20-13, 2 NC) vs. Canaan Grigsby (8-7)
Bellator Kickboxing 12: Varga vs. Faustino Fight Card:
Kickboxing Featherweight World Title Bout: (c) Gabriel Varga (17-6) vs. Cristian Faustino (31-11-2)
158-lb. Contract Weight Co-Main Event: Chingiz Allazov (59-3, 1 NC) vs. Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee (287-52-4)
132-lb. Contract Weight Feature Bout: Luca Cecchetti (23-5) vs. Alex Avogadro (46-5-3)
Featherweight Feature Bout: Kevin Ross (33-11) vs. Shan Cangelosi (34-10-1)
174-lb. Contract Weight Feature Bout: Yuri Bessmertny (44-20-2) vs. Guiseppe De Domenico (51-9)
110-lb. Contract Weight Feature Bout: Siliva La Notte (66-17-4) vs. Jade Jorand (Pro Debut)
Featherweight Feature Bout: Endy Bonat (32-10-1) vs. Kebrom Neguse (33-2-2)
Lightweight Feature Bout: Giacomo Licheri (7-0) vs. Taras Hnatchuk (11-0-1)
140-lb. Contract Weight Feature Bout: Luca Mameli (8-2) vs. Pawel Zymansky (15-13-2)