There have been a few changes to the upcoming Bellator 208 card according to MMA Junkie as Jamal Pottinger replaces an injured Peter Nascimento against Robson Gracie Jr., while a women’s strawweight bout has also been added to the card as Jennifer Chieng faces Jessica Ruiz.
Gracie Jr. (0-0-0) is not only making his Bellator MMA debut in this bout, but his professional MMA debut as well. Gracie Jr. has no amateur MMA experience to speak of, making his professional MMA debut the fighters first MMA bout of any kind. Robson is now the fourth Gracie Family member to compete in Bellator MMA, with Khonry, Neiman and Royce Gracie also competing in the promotion.
Pottinger (0-0-0) is also going to be making both his professional MMA and Bellator MMA debut in this encounter. Potting, much like his opponent at Bellator 208, also has no amateur MMA experience to speak of heading into this bout. Pottinger also has less than two weeks to prepare for Gracie Jr., as Bellator 208 is set for Saturday, October 13.
Chieng (0-0-0) is in the same boat as the two fighters above, as she is making both her professional and Bellator MMA debut this month. Chieng also has no amateur MMA experience whatsoever, but has a wealth of amateur boxing experience. Chieng represented her home country of the Federated States Of Micronesia as a boxer in the 2016 Summer Olympics and competed in the 2015 Pacific Games.
Ruiz (0-0-0) keeps the pattern going here as she is making both her Bellator MMA and professional MMA debut at Bellator 208. Ruiz did compete twice as an amateur MMA fighter, defeating Elizabeth Welch and suffering a defeat to Stephanie Irizarry. Ruiz is also returning to action for the first time in almost a year, with her last bout happening in December of 2017.
Bellator 208 takes place on Saturday, October 13 from the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York with Fedor Emelianenko and Chael Sonnen headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on the Paramount Network.
