Michael McDonald set to make Bellator debut on Newcastle card in December

It’s going to be “Mayday” in the Bellator cage this December.

Recent signee Michael McDonald will make his debut with the promotion at Bellator 190 on Dec. 15 at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, with an opponent still to be determined. Officials confirmed the date to MMA Fighting on Thursday.

The 26-year-old bantamweight departed from the UFC to join Bellator this past March, telling MMA Fighting that business disagreements with his previous employer motivated him to make a change. McDonald fought nine times in the Octagon from 2011-2016, compiling a 6-3 record. He challenged Renan Barao for the 135-pound title at UFC on Fuel TV 7 in February 2013, losing by submission in the fourth round.

McDonald ended his UFC run on a 2-3 slump, so it remains to be seen whether the Bellator matchmakers will decide to throw him into the thick of their deep bantamweight division or provide him with more modest competition to build him back up as contender.

Bellator 190 is a co-promoted event with England’s BAMMA organization. No other fights have been announced for the show.