Bellator 185: Mousasi vs. Shlemenko is expected to take place on October 20, 2017 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States.
Fight card
Main card (Spike TV)
Middleweight Gegard Mousasi vs. Alexander Shlemenko
Welterweight Neiman Gracie vs. Zak Bucia
Women's Flyweight Heather Hardy vs. Kristina Williams
Women's Flyweight Ana Julaton vs. Lisa Blaine
Lightweight Ryan Quinn vs. Marcus Surin
Preliminary card (Spike.com)
Welterweight Vinicius DeJesus vs. Joaquin Buckley
Middleweight Steve Skrzat vs. Costello Van Steenis
Catchweight (195 lbs) Jordan Young vs. Alec Hooben
Catchweight (170 lbs) Kevin Carrier vs. Kastroit Xhema
Featherweight Vovka Clay vs. Frank Sforza
Lightweight John Beneduce vs. Dean Hancock
Background
Bellator 185 will mark the debut of heralded middleweight fighter Gegard Mousasi. Having competed for the UFC for the last four years, Mousasi opted to sign with Bellator MMA when his contract came up.
Muhammed Lawal was scheduled to face Liam McGeary in a Light Heavyweight bout in the co-main event. However, on October 2, he pulled out of the fight due to an undisclosed injury. He was replaced by Bubba McDaniel. The following week, McGeary pulled out of the fight due to an injury.
Brennan Ward was scheduled to face David Rickels in a welterweight bout on the main card. However, on October 16, Ward was removed from the card due to injury and Rickels was pulled from the card as a result.
Javier Torres was scheduled to face Neiman Gracie on this card, but pulled out due to injury. He was replaced with welterweight Zak Bucia.
Oct 17 - Updated fight card & background