MMAfighting.com
Bellator’s next trip to the Show Me State just got a little more interesting.
Rebecca Ruth will meet prospect Juliana Velasquez at Bellator 197 on April 13 in St. Charles, Mo., the promotion announced Thursday.
Ruth (6-2) has not fought since falling to current Bellator women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in June 2016. The 39-year-old Missouri native was on a four-fight winning streak heading into that bout and could put her name on the short list of 125-pound title contenders with a win next month.
Velasquez (6-0) is coming off a second-round submission win over Na Liang at Bellator 189 in December. That was the 31-year-old Brazilian’s Bellator debut after having all of her fights in her native country previously.
Bellator 197 is headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Brent Primus and former champ Michael Chandler. In the co-main event, blue-chip prospect AJ McKee takes on Justin Lawrence. Kevin Ferguson Jr., the son of Kimbo Slice, and hot young up-and-comer Logan Storley will also compete at the event, which will be held at The Family Arena and air on The Paramount Network.
More News
Casimero TKO’s Sanchez in 1st round
Raquinel wins WBC Continental Americas super flyweight title
Frank vs Raquinel on ABEMA LIVE PPV