By FCF Staff

Bellator Light-Heavyweight Champion Emanuel Newton has his next opponent, and it’s not recent tourney winner “Rampage” Jackson, but rather, Joey Beltran.

The two will fight at Bellator 124, which will go down September 12th at the Compuware Arena in Plymouth, Michigan.

“I’ve been wanting to get back in the cage as soon as possible so I went to Scott Coker and he made this fight happen for me,” Newton said in a press release from Bellator. “Beltran is a guy that always pushes the pace and looks for the finish, which plays into my style perfectly. I know he is coming off a nice win against Matyushenko, and has been in this game for a while, so I’m excited for the fight and another chance to defend my belt.”

“I’m jacked to get this shot against Newton,” Beltran said. “He’s a tough guy, but I’ve been in this sport for a while now and have fought some of the best. I’ve got some good momentum after my last fight, and were going to put on a show September 12th.”

Newton (23-7-1) has won five straight fights and unified the interim and world title in March, by decisioning now former champ Attila Vegh. Since Jackson defeated “King Mo” Lawal in May, the UFC vet has repeatedly said he isn’t interested in fighting his teammate Newton.

Beltran (15-10) is coming off a third round, submission win over Vladimir Matyushenko in April, which ended a four fight, winless streak.

Bellator 124 will also feature a light-heavyweight tourney final between Liam McGeary (8-0) and Kelly Anundson (9-2).