SANTA MONICA, Calif. (August 17, 2015)– Less than a week after signing with Bellator MMA, Josh Thomson’s (20-8) debut is now set. “The Real Punk” will compete in lightweight action against Mike “The Greek Assassin” Bronzoulis (18-8-1) at “Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” on September 19 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.
The bout completes a main card that will see both a Bellator cage and a Glory kickboxing ring on one arena floor at the same time – something that has yet to be seen in the combat sports landscape. In the evening’s main event, Tito Ortiz (18-11) will challenge the undefeated Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion, Liam McGeary (10-0) for the title.
Additionally, the previously announced fight card features two Glory kickboxing title fights featuring Zack Mwekassa (13-2, 12 KO) and Saulo Cavalari (31-2, 19 KO) for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship as well as Gabriel Varga (26-2, 8 KO) defending his featherweight title against challenger Serhiy Adamchuck (29-5, 14 KO). Bellator MMA competitors Paul “Semtex” Daley (37-13-2) and Fernando “The Menifee Maniac” Gonzalez (24-13) will also be competing in Glory action, when they trade-in the MMA gloves for kickboxing gloves.
On the mixed martial arts side, Bellator MMA will also conduct a four-man, one-night light heavyweight tournament to determine the No. 1 contender in the division that includes the promotional debut of Phil Davis (13-3), as well as Emanuel Newton (25-8-1), Linton Vassell (15-4-1) and the return of Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (15-4, 1 NC).
“Bellator MMA: Dynamite 1” airs live and free on Spike at 9/8c. Tickets for the historic event start at just $30 and are on sale now at the SAP Center box office and are also available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com and Bellator.com.
Thomson, 36, is a former Strikeforce Lightweight World Champion that has competed extensively in Ultimate Fighting Championship and Pride Fighting Championships. “The Real Punk” has fought professionally since 2001 and defeated fighters the likes of: Gilbert Melendez, Duane Ludwig, Pat Healy, K.J. Noons, and Nate Diaz.
A resident of San Jose, Calif. and training at the renowned American Kickboxing Academy alongside some of the sports very best, Thomson will undoubtedly have a strong home field advantage when he makes his Bellator MMA debut on September 19.
Bronzoulis is also a former Strikeforce competitor that most recently held the Legacy Fighting Championship lightweight belt before signing with the Scott Coker-led promotion. “The Greek Assassin” has seen action inside the Bellator MMA cage previously, following a run on “Fight Master,” Bronzoulis competed in the show’s finale against Joe Riggs at “Bellator 106: Chandler vs. Alvarez II.” The 36-year-old returns to Bellator MMA currently riding a three-fight winning streak.
