Bellator MMA Middleweight Champion Rafael Carvalho has suffered an injury and he won’t be defending his belt against Melvin Manhoef in the main event of Bellator 168. A light heavyweight bout between Alessio Sakara and Joey Beltran now headlines the card.
Sakara (18-11-0-2NC) is currently undefeated in Bellator MMA competition, having defeated Brian Rogers at Bellator 152. Sakara has actually been undefeated since his UFC release, which came after a loss to Nicholas Musoke at UFC Fight Night 30. Sakara spent nearly eight years in the UFC, winning six of his fifteen fights in the promotion, his biggest win would come over Thales Leites at UFC 101.
Beltran (17-13-0) has won two of six fights under the Bellator MMA banner, defeating Vladimir Matyushenko and Brian Rogers while suffering defeats to Emanuel Newton, Quinton Jackson, Kendall Grove and Chase Gormley. Beltran previously challenged for the Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Ttle, losing to then champion Emanuel Newton at Bellator 124. Beltran also spent a few years in the UFC, earning a grand total of three wins in his two separate runs within the promotion.
Bellator 168 takes place on Saturday, December 10 from the Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence, Italy with Alessio Sakara and Joey Beltran headlining.
