Bellator MMA announces two long-awaited rematches for London debut
Bellator MMA is set to make a splash with its English debut by placing a pair of long-awaited rematches on its first card in London on July 16, the organization announced Monday.
Kevin “Kimbo Slice” Ferguson will fight James Thompson and Josh Koscheck will take on Paul Daley at Bellator 158. Bellator president Scott Coker appeared on ESPN’s Sportscenter to reveal the fights.
Ferguson defeated Thompson on an Elite XC card in 2008 when a punch to Thompson’s ear caused significant bleeding. The fight was stopped and ruled a knockout after Ferguson continued to attack the area.
The street-fighting legend is coming off a largely embarrassing performance in a knockout win over Dhafir “Dada 5000” Harris in Houston in February. Ferguson tested positive for steroids after the win, but Coker says the 90-day suspension issued by the Texas athletic commission will be up by then.
“He was put on a 90-day suspension outside of Texas, which will be ending some time in May, so he’ll be cleared and ready to fight by July,” Coker said. “We go by what the athletic commission says. If there was a national federation or national association with rules and regulations across the board, that every state abided by, that’d be one thing. But for us, every state is different.”
Daley has been waiting for a rematch with Koscheck since Koscheck defeated him by unanimous decision in 2010. After a highly-contentious buildup to the fight, Daley was so frustrated with Koscheck’s ability to control him on the mat for nearly the entire 15 minutes he took a swing after the final bell.
The unsportsmanlike act earned him an unofficial lifetime ban from the UFC, but the rematch is on now that both are under contract with Bellator.
Daley has won five straight fights and nine of his last 10. Eight of those wins have come by knockout. Koscheck will be making his Bellator debut after his UFC contract was not debuted following five straight losses.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj
