By press release

LOS ANGELES – BELLATOR MMA is adding eight action-packed matchups to the promotion’s historic BELLATOR 300 event taking place at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego, Calif. on Saturday, October 7.

These eight bouts join the historic BELLATOR 300 card which features the one-million-dollar BELLATOR Lightweight World Grand Prix rolling on when incumbent champion Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0) puts his belt and undefeated record on the line against former champion and current No. 4-ranked Brent Primus (12-3) in a semifinal matchup. The top pound-for-pound female fighter in the world and current BELLATOR featherweight world champion Cris Cyborg (26-2, 1 NC) will face No. 1-ranked Cat Zingano (14-4) in what can best be described as a grudge match between two of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. BELLATOR’s reigning Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader (31-7, 1 NC) defends his belt in a rematch against No. 1-ranked Linton Vassell (23-8, 1 NC). Finally, two of San Diego’s top fighters collide as Liz Carmouche (19-7) defends her belt against former World Champion and No. 2-ranked Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (13-2) in a highly anticipated battle between two close friends and training partners.

BELLATOR 300 will air live in the US on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. The preliminary card will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT and will air on the BELLATOR YouTube and Pluto TV Channels.

Tickets for the historic event are on sale now at AXS.com and Bellator.com.

#4 LHW-Grant Neal vs. #9-Romero Cotton — Middleweight Bout

Despite rocketing up the BELLATOR light heavyweight rankings, No. 4-ranked 205-pound contender Grant Neal (8-1) will test the waters of the middleweight division at BELLATOR 300 when he challenges three-time NCAA Division II National Champion Romero Cotton (6-1). The 27-year-old Neal is one of BELLATOR’s brightest young stars, a well-rounded talent training alongside lightweight stars Justin Gaethje and the undefeated Archie Colgan. Neal has amassed key victories over the likes of Karl Albrektsson, Christian Edwards, Tyree Fortune, and Maurice Jackson. Welcoming Neal to 185 pounds will be the decorated Cotton, 33. An example of BELLATOR’s commitment to signing top wrestling talent, Cotton surged to 6-0 in his first six promotional outings before a thrilling grudge match with top-ranked Dalton Rosta. Now, Cotton will face another top prospect eager to shine under the brightest lights in BELLATOR history.

Dmytrii Hrytsenko vs. Justin Montalvo — 160-Pound Contract Weight Bout

Inspired by the success of BELLATOR Welterweight World Champion Yaroslav Amosov, undefeated prospect Dmytrii Hrytsenko (8-0) hopes to follow in his countryman’s footsteps and inch closer to bringing home a second world title to his native Ukraine when he challenges Longo and Weidman MMA’s Justin Montalvo (5-1) at BELLATOR 300. Hrytsenko, 26, successfully debuted under the BELLATOR banner this past February by taking out Daniele Scatizzi in Dublin, and he will look to improve upon his stellar 8-0 record against Gonzalez. That will be no easy task, as “Kid Marvelous” Montalvo is a tough customer with great striking having earned KOs in four of his five victories.

#7-Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Maciej Różański— Light Heavyweight Bout

With BELLATOR Light Heavyweight World Champion Vadim Nemkov contemplating a bid for a second world title at heavyweight, the BELLATOR 300 matchup between No. 7-ranked contender Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (20-7-1) and Poland’s Maciej Różański (14-4) stands out as a 205-pound tilt with high stakes. The 34-year-old Yagshimuradov has won back-to-back fights in his climb toward the division’s Top 5, besting former Middleweight World Champion Rafael Carvalho and Karl Albrektsson in consecutive outings. The former champion on the Russian regional scene will square off with Różański, also 34. A champion himself on the Polish scene, Różański is a veritable ground game specialist, boasting nine of his fourteen victories by submission. His impressive resume includes wins over Makhmud Muradov (twice), Will Fleury, and Lee Chadwick.

Sergio Cossio vs. Jesse Roberts — Lightweight Bout

One of BELLATOR’s latest signings, Sergio Cossio (25-8-1) hopes to continue Mexico’s sensational run of late when he makes his promotional debut against undefeated prospect Jesse Roberts (6-0) at the historic BELLATOR 300. The LUX Fight League Lightweight Champion will look to extend his blistering run of recent success, a seven-fight win streak that has seen him amass six finishes along the way. He will face a tough customer in 27-year-old Roberts, who will return to the BELLATOR cage for the first time since 2019, when he defeated jiu jitsu star AJ Agazarm in their respective professional debuts. Now five fights more experienced, Roberts will look to defeat his most experienced and credentialed opponent yet when he battles Cossio in San Diego.

Mukhamed Berkhamov vs. Herman Terrado – Welterweight Bout

Making his second appearance of 2023, the highly decorated submission ace Mukhamed Berkhamov (15-2, 1 NC) will return to action when he welcomes knockout artist Herman Terrado (15-5-1) back into the BELLATOR cage at BELLATOR 300. Berkhamov put the welterweight division on notice when he impressively submitted Jaleel Willis in his promotional debut at BELLATOR 268. The former ACB Welterweight Champion boasts a staggering 10 submission victories to his name, eight of which coming in the first round. Opposite of Berkhamov, Guam’s Terrado sports eight knockout victories with seven first round finishes. With both competitors aiming to finish the fight, this preliminary affair promises to deliver an electric matchup.

Bryce Meredith vs. Miguel Peimbert – Bantamweight Bout

One of BELLATOR’s brightest surging prospects, NCAA Division I wrestling standout Bryce Meredith (4-0) will make his sophomore showing under the BELLATOR banner when he takes on San Diego’s Miguel Peimbert (2-2). Like fellow BELLATOR stars Archie Colgan and Mike Hamel, Meredith wrestled at the prestigious University of Wyoming, where he became a three–time All-American, two–time NCAA finalist, and a Big 12 champion. At BELLATOR 300, Meredith aims to continue his momentum after his flawless BELLATOR debut when he secured a rear naked choke submission victory against Brandon Carrillo at BELLATOR 293 last March. Also making his second appearance with the promotion, Peimbert hopes to come out victorious against the wrestling phenom in front of his hometown of San Diego, Calif.

Lorrany Santos vs. Jaclyn Cataline – Featherweight Bout

Kicking off the action for the evening, promotional newcomers Lorrany Santos (6-1) and Jaclyn Cataline (3-3) will square off in a women’s featherweight clash. Undefeated since 2020, 26-year-old Santos will look to capture her seventh win in a row against Southern California’s Cataline.

Josh Hokit vs. Spencer Smith – Heavyweight Bout

Former San Francisco 49er and two-time NCAA All-American wrestler Josh Hokit will make his long-awaited BELLATOR debut when he squares off against Long Beach CA’s Spencer Smith, who is also making his professional debut.

BELLATOR 300 Main Card:

Saturday, October 7 – Live on SHOWTIME

Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA

10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT

Lightweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0) vs. #4-Brent Primus (12-3)

Featherweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Cris Cyborg (26-2, 1 NC) vs. #1-Cat Zingano (14-4)

Heavyweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Ryan Bader (31-7, 1 NC) vs. #1-Linton Vassell (23-8, 1 NC)

Flyweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Liz Carmouche (19-7) vs. #2-Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (13-2)

BELLATOR 300 Preliminary Card:

BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV

6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT

Heavyweight Bout: #9-Davion Franklin (6-1) vs. Slim Trabelsi (5-0)

Featherweight Bout: #10-Henry Corrales (21-6) vs. Kai Kamaka III (11-5-1)

Featherweight Bout: #2-Sara McMann (14-6) vs. #5-Leah McCourt (7-3)

Flyweight Bout: #10-Ilara Joanne (11-7) vs. Jena Bishop (5-0)

Bantamweight Bout: Bobby Seronio III (3-0) vs. Alberto Garcia (2-0)

Middleweight Bout: #9-Romero Cotton (6-1) vs. Grant Neal (8-1)

Lightweight Bout: Sergio Cossio (25-8-1) vs. Jesse Roberts (6-0)

Catchweight Bout: Mukhamed Berkhamov (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Herman Terrado (15-5-1)

Light Heavyweight Bout: Doveltdzhan Yagshimuradov (20-7-1) vs. Maciej Rozanski (14-4)

160-Pound Contract Weight Bout: Dmytrii Hrytsenko (8-0) vs. Justin Montalvo (5-1)

Bantamweight Bout: Bryce Meredith (4-0) vs. Miguel Peimbert (1-2)

Featherweight Bout: Lorrany Santos (6-1) vs. Jackie Cataline (3-3)

Heavyweight Bout: Josh Hokit (Pro Debut) vs. Spencer Smith (Pro Debut)

*Card order subject to change.