Photo Credit Bellator MMA
MEMPHIS, TENN. (Oct. 20, 2016) –The official weigh-ins for “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” took place this afternoon in front of a loud and excited crowd at the FedExForum in Memphis. The competitors are ready for action tomorrow at the FedExForum, with the event airing LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
The “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” main card is highlighted by a middleweight main event pitting former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) against Kendall Grove (23-15) and a heavyweight co-main clash between former WWE competitor Bobby Lashley (14-2) and Josh Appelt (12-5). In addition, a middleweight tilt pitting Hisaki Kato (6-2) against A.J. Matthews (8-5) and a lightweight face-off between Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) and Ryan Couture (10-4) will bring the heat on a stacked SPIKE-televised main card.
The Bellator.com-streamed preliminary portion of the event will feature 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide National Champion Eryk Anders (4-0) against Brian White (5-4), as well as a bantamweight contest between Steve Garcia (6-1) and Ronnie Lawrence (1-0). Lastly, Julia Budd (8-2) will return from injury to challenge Arlene Blencowe (7-5) in an enticing featherweight fight. The prelims were supposed to also feature the professional debut of Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr., but due to his opponent checking in at nearly 17-pounds overweight, the fight has been scrapped. Ferguson Jr. hit his required mark and was paid his show money.
“Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” takes place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., and airs live and free on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary bouts will stream live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.
Main Card: (Live on SPIKE – 9 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. CT)
Middleweight Main Event: Alexander Shlemenko (185.9) vs. Kendall Grove (185.6)
Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Bobby Lashley (245.2) vs. Josh Appelt (249.3)
Lightweight Feature Bout: Goiti Yamauchi (155.5) vs. Ryan Couture (155.2)
Middleweight Feature Bout: Hisaki Kato (185) vs. A.J. Matthews (186)
Preliminary Card: (Bellator.com – 7:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. CT)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ricky Rainey (170.8) vs. Gilbert Smith (171)
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Garcia (135.4) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (135)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Gormley (265.4) vs. Bobby Brents (263)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Julia Budd (145.6) vs. Arlene Blencowe (145.4)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Dan Charles (249.1) vs. Virgil Zwicker (239.4)
Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tyler Hill (170.9) vs. Wade Johnson (170.4)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jonathan Burdine (153.5) vs. James Wallace (154.4)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Eryk Anders (185) vs. Brian White (184.9)
Catchweight (160 lb.) Preliminary Bout: Jaleel Willis (159.1) vs. Omar Johnson (159.4)
Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chad Cook (200) vs. Grady Hurley (200.3)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Wessell (255.5) vs. Frank Tate (239.6)
