By FCF Staff

Following Alexander Shlemenko’s loss to light-heavyweight Tito Ortiz in May, Bellator has confirmed that it’s middleweight champ will defend his title on September 26th.

Shlemenko will take on recent tourney winner Brandon Halsey on that date, in a bout which will headline Bellator 126 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Prior to being choked out by Ortiz, Shlemenko (50-8) had put together an impressive, 13 fight winning streak.

Halsey (7-0) locked up a title fight with Shlemenko in July, by tapping out Brett Cooper with a first round, armbar.

Bellator has also announced that the September 26th card will feature a lightweight tourney final between Patricky “Pitbull” Freire and Marcin Held.

The main card for Bellator 126 will be broadcast on SPIKE.

MAIN CARD:
Middleweight World Title Fight: Alexander Shlemenko (50-8) vs. Brandon Halsey (7-0)
Lightweight Tournament Final: Patricky Pitbull (13-5) vs. Marcin Held (19-3)
Featherweight Feature Fight: Alejandro Villalobos (17-3) vs. Bubba Jenkins (6-1)
Bantamweight Feature Fight: Mike Richman (15-6) vs.  Ed West (18-8)