Mousasi-Eblen Title Fight, Two Bantamweight Grand Prix Bouts on Tap for Bellator 282

A previously reported middleweight championship clash between Gegard Mousasi and Johnny Eblen has an official date and event.

The California-based promotion announced Tuesday that Mousasi will defend his 185-pound belt against Eblen in the Bellator 282 headliner on June 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card will air on Showtime at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, while prelims stream on the Bellator MMA YouTube channel, the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.

Additionally, two bantamweight grand prix quarterfinals will take place at Bellator 282. Magomed Magomedov will face the Enrique Barzola-Josh Hill winner, while Leandro Higo will square off against the Jornel Lugo-Danny Sabatello winner. A preliminary clash pitting Alejandra Lara against Ilara Joanne was also confirmed for the card.

Mousasi last appeared at Bellator 275 on Feb. 25, when he made short work of the previously undefeated Austin Vanderford in a first-round technical knockout victory. The Armenian-born Dutchman has been victorious in seven of eight appearances within the California-based promotion and is on his second term as middleweight champion.

American Top Team’s Eblen has kicked off his professional tenure with 11 consecutive triumphs, including seven victories under the Bellator banner. Most recently, Eblen cruised to a three-round verdict over former title challenger John Salter at Bellator 276.