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TEL AVIV, ISRAEL. (November 8, 2016) – Bellator MMA has invaded the “Holy Land” for the first time in the history of the promotion and is ready to deliver a plethora of great matchups, including a welterweight world title fight pitting Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) against Douglas Lima (27-6).
With “Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima” only a few days away, Bellator’s digital team has put together a collection of exclusive new content to preview the stacked event at Menora Mivtachim Arena. Join us as we dive into a behind-the-scenes look at the competitors’ journey to Friday night’s big show. For more in-depth footage of our enticing contests coming your way, look no further than Bellator’s amazing YouTube page.
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BELLATOR MMA WELTERWEIGHT WORLD TITLE BOUT Over a year ago, current division champ Andrey Koreshkov defeated Douglas Lima for the welterweight world title. Now, the two meet again and it’s Lima who will be seeking revenge. Don’t miss this incredible Bellator MMA title fight in Tel Aviv, Israel, this Friday night! |
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What to Watch: Lima vs. Koreshkov Let’s take a look at some of Jimmy Smith’s keys to victory in a welterweight world title rematch between Lima and Koreshkov. |
Champions: Andrey Koreshkov Koreshkov is about as dominating of an opponent as you can find in the world of MMA today. Join us as we take a closer look at what makes this welterweight supreme. |
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Sitdown with Georgi Karakhanyan Georgi Karakhanyan’s specialty in the cage? Guillotine. What about outside of the cage? We sit down with the featherweight superstar and discuss the mental preparation behind mixed martial arts competition. |
5 Rounds: Lena Ovchynnikova Ukrainian powerhouse Lena Ovchynnikova gives us an inside look on her life outside of the cage as she prepares to make her promotional debut. |
Event Info
A welterweight world title main event will headline the first ever Bellator MMA event in Israel, as current division champion Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) will attempt to protect his belt against the man who he took it from over a year ago, Douglas Lima (27-6). In addition, Noad Lahat (9-2) will challenge Scott Cleve (15-5) in the evening’s featherweight co-main event and Georgi Karakhanyan (25-6-1) will replace James Gallagher to face Israel’s own Kirill Medvedovsky (6-1) in a featherweight feature fight. Finally, a female flyweight bout pitting Ukrainian star Lena Ovchynnikova (10-4) against Karla Benitez (13-9-1) rounds out the SPIKE-televised main card action.
The preliminary portion of the event features a welterweight clash between Joaquin Buckley (6-0) and hometown favorite Jackie Gosh (6-0). In addition, over a dozen local competitors will be making their professional debut on the preliminary card of the Scott Coker-led promotion’s first event in the Middle East.
“Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. LIma” takes place at Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, and will air in America on SPIKE Friday, November 11 at 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT. Bellator has partnered with Ananey Communications, an Israeli television conglomerate boasting 14 channels, several of which showcase Viacom content including the EGO and EGO TOTAL channels which have broadcast Bellator in Israel since 2012.
Tickets for the event are on sale now and can be purchased at Bellator.com or Eventim.co.il/mma.
“Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima” Fight Card
Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) vs. Douglas Lima (27-6)
Featherweight Feature Bout: Noad Lahat (9-2) vs. Scott Cleve (15-5)
Featherweight Feature Bout: Georgi Karakhanyan (25-6-1) vs. Kirill Medvedovsky (6-1)
Flyweight Feature Bout: Lena Ovchynnikova (10-4) vs. Karla Benitez (13-9-1)
Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card
Welterweight Preliminary Fight: Joaquin Buckley (6-0) vs. Jackie Gosh (6-0)
Light Heavyweight Preliminary Fight: Chen Shhori (Debut) vs. Kfir Eittan (2-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Fight: Haitham Kiuof (Debut) vs. Moshe Rand (3-2)
Lightweight Preliminary Fight: Rob Becker (Debut) vs. Ejargew Tariku (1-0)
Welterweight Preliminary Fight: Sol Renato (Debut) vs. Alex Trofimov (Debut)
Bantamweight Preliminary Fight: Almog Shay (Debut) vs. Vitaly Khmeinytsky (Debut)
Lightweight Preliminary Fight: Olga Rubin (Debut) vs. Laurita Cibirite (Debut)
Bantamweight Preliminary Fight: Raz Bring (Debut) vs. Maor Kazalkopy (Debut)
Middleweight Preliminary Fight: Alexander Nikulin (Debut) vs. Avi Baron (Debut)
Bantamweight Preliminary Fight: Onor Keles (Debut) vs. Omri Barel (Debut)
Welterweight Preliminary Fight: Zane Clerk (Debut) vs. Haim Gozali (6-3)
Welterweight Kickboxing Fight: Igor Postnikov (Debut) vs. Itai Gayer (Debut)
About Bellator MMA:
Bellator MMA is a leading Mixed Martial Arts organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 500 million homes worldwide in over 140 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Spike, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world's premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Spike:
Spike is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike's press site at http://www.spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @spiketvpr for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes information and photos.
About Ananey Communications:
Founded in 1996 by Udi Miron, Ananey Communications Group is the leading multi-channel TV firm in Israel. With 14 TV channels including 2 male skewing channels (EGO and EGO TOTAL, which broadcast Bellator MMA), 4 original lifestyle channels and exclusive representation and operation of the VIACOM brands in Israel (MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon & Nick Junior), Ananey channels reach a total of 76% of all Israeli households.
