Liam McGeary to Defend LHW Title vs. Phil Davis in Bellator 163 Headliner

Liam McGeary will defend his light heavyweight crown against Phil Davis in the Bellator 163 main event on Nov. 4, promotion officials announced Friday.

Bellator 163 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and will also feature a welterweight clash between Saad Awad and Brennan Ward as well as a women’s featherweight showdown pitting Marloes Coenen against Talita Nogueira. The main card will air on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

McGeary captured the 205-pound strap with a unanimous decision victory against Emanuel Newton at Bellator 134. He made his first title defense at Bellator 142 “Dynamite” a little more than a year ago, submitting Tito Ortiz 4:41 into the opening stanza. The unbeaten British champion has been sidelined by injury since then.

Davis initially earned a title shot by stopping Newton and Francis Carmont in a one-night light heavyweight contender tournament at Bellator 142 “Dynamite.” However, due to McGeary’s extended absence, Davis outpointed Muhammad Lawal at Bellator 154 to solidify his No. 1 contender status.

Five preliminary bouts were also announced for the event: Josh Diekmann vs. Tyler King at heavyweight; Blair Tugman vs. Walter Smith-Cotito at featherweight; Michael Zichelle vs. Tim Caron at middleweight; Ilya Kotau vs. Carlos Corriea at welterweight and Sarah Payant vs. Hannah Regina at flyweight.