A clash between two top-ranked Bellator middleweights has been booked for May, as Lorenz Larkin faces Khalid Murtazaliev.
The Underground today learned of the booking from a person with knowledge of the agreement. The contest is set for May 6 at Bellator Paris, which airs live on Showtime from Accor Arena. Bellator heavyweight champion Ryan Bader face longtime veteran Cheick Kongo in the night’s main event.
Larkin (15-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA), who’s currently ranked No. 6 in Bellator’s official rankings, enters the fight on the strength of a five-fight winning streak. It’s Larkin’s second consecutive appearance at 185 pounds following a 10-fight run at welterweight that included an unsuccessful challenge for Bellator’s 170-pound title.
Meanwhile, Murtazaliev (23-7 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) is currently ranked No. 10 at 185 pounds. He fought most recently in September, suffering a decision loss at the hands of Anthony Adams. That result snapped a four-fight win streak for the Russian powerhouse, who has earned 13 of his 15 career wins by knockout.
With the addition to the card, the Bellator Paris lineup currently includes:
- Champ Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo – for heavyweight title
- Melvin Manhoef vs. Yoel Romero
- Soren Bak vs. Saul Rogers
- Gavin Hughes vs. Yves Landu
- Khasan Askhabov vs. Pedro Carvalho
- Lorenz Larkin vs. Khalid Murtazaliev
