BELLATOR | SATURDAY 9TH FEB @ METRO RADIO ARENA

BELLATOR LAUNCHES EUROPEAN FIGHT SERIES ON SATURDAY, FEB. 9 AT METRO RADIO ARENA IN NEWCASTLE

PATRICKY ‘PITBULL’ HEADLINES AGAINST FORMER BAMMA CHAMP RYAN SCOPE IN LIGHTWEIGHT CLASH

ALSO, NEWCASTLE’S OWN AARON CHALMERS TO COMPETE IN CO-MAIN EVENT

LOS ANGELES – Bellator today announced the next step in its European expansion initiative with details of the first event in the exclusive U.K., Ireland and Western Europe fight series. Set for Newcastle, England, Bellator returns to Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, Feb. 9 for Bellator Newcastle: Pitbull vs. Scope.

One of the most feared competitors on the roster, Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (20-8) returns for lightweight action against one of Bellator’s most promising British fighters in former BAMMA champ Ryan Scope (11-1). Additionally, undefeated star Aaron Chalmers (4-0), who calls Newcastle home, is scheduled to compete on the card in a co-main event lightweight bout.

A perennial contender since joining Bellator in 2011 at Bellator 36, Patricky made an immediate impact by emphatically knocking out two true veterans of the sport. However, his most impressive run has come as of late, stringing together six wins in seven bouts and winning his last four against Josh Thomson, Benson Henderson, Derek Campos and Roger Huerta. Looking to put quickly himself back in the lightweight title picture, the 32-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, will have to get past a former world champion on his own quest to capturing gold.

Ryan Scope will enter the Bellator cage for the first time on February 9 looking to improve upon his exceptional 11-1 mark as a professional; a record the Sunderland fighter accrued on the European MMA scene since turning pro at age 17. With eight stoppages in his 11 wins, Scope will face an opponent who shares his affinity for not allowing fights to go the distance. At only 26 years of age and now free from injury, “Big Baby” find himself in his toughest test to date in hopes of a memorable Bellator debut in front of a partisan crown in Newcastle.

First known for his popularity on the British realtiy TV show Geordie Shore, Aaron Chalmers is quickly proving he is a force to be reckoned with inside the cage. Undefeated in his MMA career with four finishes, “The Joker” has become one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. Fresh off his eye-opening technical submission win against Ash Griffiths at Bellator 200 in London, the 31-year-old will once again look to feed off the enthusiastic British fan base when he returns on February 9 in his hometown of Newcastle, England.

Updated Bellator Newcastle: Pitbull vs. Scope Fight Card:

Lightweight Main Event: Patricky “Pitbull” Freire (17-4) vs. Ryan Scope (11-1)

Lightweight Co-main Event: Aaron Chalmers (4-0) vs. TBD

*Card subject to change

Please visit Bellator.com for more information.

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About Bellator: 

Bellator is a leading global mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator events take place in major cities worldwide and can be seen on television in over 160 countries to an available audience of over one billion people. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on both Paramount Network and DAZN, the world’s first truly dedicated LIVE sports streaming service. Bellator 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 Hollywood, Calif. 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.