TICKETS ON SALE THIS FRIDAY, JULY 20
BOISE – Bellator will make its return to CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho on Friday, Sept. 21, as former two-time featherweight world champ Pat Curran (23-7) squares off against undefeated A.J. McKee (11-0) in the main event.
In the co-main event, Rafael Lovato Jr. (8-0) meets John Salter (15-3) in a bout that could determine the next Bellator middleweight world title challenger. Additional bouts will be announced in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Bellator 205: Curran vs. McKee are available 24-hours early through a special Bellator Nation pre-sale running exclusively on Thursday, July 19. Tickets will go on sale to the general public Friday, July 20. Tickets start at just $30 and will be available at the CenturyLink Arena box office, as well as CenturyLinkArenaBoise.com and Bellator.com.
The event will be broadcast live and free on Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while preliminary action will stream on Bellator.com and globally on the Bellator Mobile App.
A former two-time Bellator world featherweight champion, Pat Curran returns to the cage looking to earn another shot at gold. Fighting out of Crystal Lake, Ill., “Paddy Mike” is in the midst of a three-fight win streak that includes victories over Emmanuel Sanchez, John “Macapa” and Georgi Karakhanyan. The longtime Bellator veteran, who debuted at Bellator 14 in 2010, owns additional wins over Patricio “Pitbull,” Joe Warren, Roger Huerta and Daniel Straus. Also, a two-time Bellator tournament winner, the 30-year-old’s return to the top of the 145-pound division begins with a tough test against McKee.
Fighting out of Long Beach, Calif., A.J. McKee puts his undefeated record on the line against the former champ. Currently training alongside the likes of Aaron Pico, “Baby Slice,” and Joey Davis at The Body Shop under the tutelage of his father, MMA veteran Antonio McKee, the second-generation fighter is making quite the name for himself. At just 23 years of age, “Mercenary” has set the Bellator record for consecutive wins at 11, having defeated Justin Lawrence, Brian Moore and Dominic Mazzotta along the way. Known for his highlight-reel finishes, McKee will look to remain undefeated and keep his name etched in the record books.
Following years of success in elite jiu-jitsu and grappling competition, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Rafael Lovato Jr. has made the transition to MMA look seamless. The unbeaten Oklahoma City-based fighter has amassed eight career wins, including seven finishes, in a career that began in 2014. The former Legacy Fighting Champion has since earned recent wins over Gerald Harris, Chris Honeycutt and Mike Rhodes en route to his still-perfect record. A matchup that was scheduled to happen at Bellator 198 in April, Lovato Jr. now has his opportunity to show everyone that he belongs as the rightful No. 1 contender at middleweight against his toughest opponent to date.
Currently riding a seven-fight win streak, John Salter has quietly established himself as one of the most dominant middleweights in the world. Finishing all of his five previous Bellator bouts, including submission victories over Kendall Grove and Brandon Halsey, the Alabama native has proven himself to be a dangerous opponent every time he steps inside the cage. In his last outing at Bellator 188 in Tel Aviv, Israel, the former standout collegiate wrestler defeated Jason Radcliffe, following a late opponent change. Now, he sets his sights on the undefeated Lovato Jr., in what could lead to his first shot at Bellator gold.
Updated Bellator 205: Curran vs. McKee Fight Card:
Featherweight Main Event: Pat Curran (23-7) vs. A.J. McKee (11-0)
Middleweight Co-Main Event: Rafael Lovato Jr. (8-0) vs. John Salter (15-3)
About Bellator:
Bellator is a leading mixed martial arts and kickboxing organization featuring many of the best fighters in the world. Under the direction of veteran fight promoter Scott Coker, Bellator is available to nearly 1 billion people worldwide in over 160 countries. In the United States, Bellator can be seen on Paramount Network the combat sports television leader. Bellator is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, live event orchestration, fighter development/relations, venue procurement, sponsorship creation/development, international licensing, marketing, advertising, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Hollywood, Calif. and owned by entertainment giant Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands that connect with audiences through compelling content across television, motion picture, online and mobile platforms.
About Paramount Network:
Paramount Network is a premium entertainment destination that pushes the limits of story-telling with bold original scripted and non-scripted series. Inspired by over a century of cinema, Paramount Network is where today’s brightest stars bring the experience of the big screen to every screen with stories that are immersive, inclusive, and deeply personal.
CenturyLink Arena:
CenturyLink Arena has served as the hub of downtown Boise’s sports and music entertainment since opening its doors in the fall of 1997, hosting an average of 100 events annually and welcoming over 5.5 million attendees in 21 years. With bowl seating for 5,000 people and additional floor seating for select events, the arena is home to Idaho Steelheads hockey and the Front Street Fights mixed martial arts promotion. In two decades in Boise, CenturyLink Arena has hosted basketball, hockey, arena football, indoor soccer, Motocross, boxing, and gymnastics events. The arena also hosts numerous concerts, trade shows, and conventions each year. CenturyLink Arena is attached to the Grove Hotel, Boise’s only four-diamond hotel.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Bellator:
David Schwarz – (212) 767-8639 – David.Schwarz@Viacom.com
Ryan Grab – (706) 540-3425 – Ryan.Grab@bellator.com
Danny Brener – (818) 577-8215 – DannyB@bzapr.com
C.J. Tuttle – (310) 496-9110 – Christopher.Tuttle@bellator.com
*Card subject to change.