Bellator MMA has officially announced their light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton will put his title on the line against Linton Vassell in the main event of Bellator 130 in October.

Newton (24-7) is coming off a third round spinning back fist knockout over UFC veteran Joey Beltran at Bellator 124 in September. This win brings the champion’s win streak to six straight, which includes two victories over former Strikeforce champion ‘King Mo’ Muhammed Lawal. He will enter this bout with a Bellator record of 7-1.

Vassell (14-3) will enter this bout riding an incredible nine fight winning streak, with seven of those victories ending in stoppage. In his last performance ‘The Swarm’ secured a first round submission victory over Virgil Zwicker at Bellator 122 in July. He will enter this bout with a Bellator record of 3-0.

Also announced for the main card is a heavyweight matchup between the popular Bobby Lashley (11-2) and Karl Etherington (9-0) as well as a women’s featherweight matchup between two promotional newcomers in former Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen (21-6) and Annalisa Bucci (7-3).

Bellator 130 is currently scheduled to take place at Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, KS on October 24.

Here is how the rest of the card is shaping up:

Main card (Spike TV, 9 p.m. ET)

  • Bellator light heavyweight champ Emanuel Newton (24-7) vs Linton Vassell (14-3)
  • Karl Etherington (9-0) vs. Bobby Lashley (11-2)
  • Annalisa Bucci (7-3) vs. Marloes Coenen (21-6)
  • Dave Jansen (19-2) vs. Rick Hawn (18-3)

Undercard (Spike.com, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Derek Bohi (3-2) vs. Alex Huddleston (4-1)
  • Aaron Derrow (12-8) vs. Nate Jolly (13-6)
  • Anthony Dizy (5-0) vs. Darrion Caldwell (5-0)
  • Gary Tapusoa (8-2) vs. Sam Oropeza (11-2)
  • Gzim Selmani (4-1) vs. Daniel Gallemore (3-2)
  • Marcio Navarro (9-11) vs. Cody Carrillo (5-8)
  • Ricky Musgrave (11-4) vs. Joe Wilk (17-9)
  • Davi Ramos (5-0) vs. David Rickels (15-3)

About The Author

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José began his career as a mixed martial arts journalist while still enrolled at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. Since graduating in May 2013, he has attended dozens of high profile UFC fight cards as a credentialed member of the media, providing live cage side coverage through his articles and videos. His work has appeared on UFC.com, ArizonaSports.com and AZCentral. He is also currently one of the main contributors on Power MMA Show at Arizona Sports 98.7 FM, one of the first all MMA radio shows on a major radio station.