November 22, 2024

Coming off quick win over Aaron Pico, Zach Freeman meets Saad Awad at Bellator 186

Zach Freeman
 Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Zach Freeman is aiming to follow up his spectacular Bellator debut by challenging one of the promotion’s stalwarts.

A lightweight bout between Freeman and Saad Awad has been booked for Bellator 186 at the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University in University Park, Pa., on Nov. 3, officials told MMA Fighting on Thursday.

“The Altar Boy” made waves in his first Bellator fight this past June at Madison Square Garden when he needed just 24 seconds to submit highly vaunted prospect Aaron Pico with a guillotine choke. Freeman improved his pro record to 9-2 with the upset victory and he now goes from an opponent with almost zero MMA experience to one who has been competing for more than a decade.

The 34-year-old Awad (20-9) first fought for Bellator in 2009 and he has compiled an 8-6 record with the promotion, which includes notable first round KOs of Will Brooks and Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos. He is 2-3 in his last five outings.

Bellator 186 is scheduled to be headlined by light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader defending his belt for the first time against Linton Vassell. Former Penn State wrestling stars Phil Davisand Ed Ruth are also expected to be given opponents.

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