BELLATOR 292, headlined by a quarterfinal matchup between newly crowned Lightweight World Champion Usman Nurmagomedov and former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson, airs live on SHOWTIME Friday night, March 10 at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Tszyu, the son of boxing legend Kostya Tszyu, meets Harrison for the vacant Interim WBO 154-pound title live on SHOWTIME the following night, Saturday March 11 at 10:45 p.m. ET/7:45 p.m. PT.
Here are some fight-week news and notes to learn more about the 50-50, ultra-competitive matchup multiple time zones away in Australia as well as what was recently named the “toughest tournament in MMA history” by MMA legend Chael Sonnen.
FROM THE RING TO THE CAGE
BELLATOR MMA’s one-million-dollar Lightweight World Grand Prix kicks off on Friday, March 10 from the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Newly crowned Lightweight World Champion and No. 7 pound-for-pound talent Usman Nurmagomedov defends his belt against former UFC Lightweight Champion Benson Henderson in a quarterfinal main event contest. In the co-main event, No. 2-ranked knockout artist Tofiq Musayev clashes with No. 4-ranked Alexander Shabliy in another quarterfinal matchup of the Grand Prix. The star-studded tournament, which MMA legend Chael Sonnen proclaimed as the toughest tournament he’s seen in MMA history, also features BELLATOR’s homegrown pound-for-pound star AJ McKee and Brazilian slugger Patricky ‘Pitbull.’
BELLATOR MMA’s annual doubleheader on the Hawaiian island of Oahu returns next month. On Friday, April 21, current Women’s Flyweight World Champion and U.S. Marine Liz Carmouche faces No. 4 ranked flyweight challenger DeAnna Bennett in a rematch for the title. In the evening’s co-main event, No. 6-ranked heavyweight and Minnesota National Guardsman Tim Johnson competes against Said Sowma. The following night, April 22, the BELLATOR Bantamweight World Grand Prix will conclude with current Interim Champion Raufeon Stots facing No. 2-ranked Patchy Mix in the Final. In the co-main event, the pride of Honolulu, No. 3-ranked Ilima-Lei Macfarlane looks to defend home turf against Japan’s No. 2-ranked Kana Watanabe.