Cheick Kongo has a new opponent for his return at Bellator 150.
Initially scheduled to face Augusto Sakai at Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane on Feb. 26, Kongo will now take on fellow UFC veteran Vinicius Spartan. The Brazilian heavyweight revealed the news to MMA Premium.
"I’m really motivated for this opportunity again. Two years ago I had this chance to fight him, but I ended up injured," "Spartan" said. "Kongo is a big name, and this fight will take my career to the next level. I have new knees and I’m training with a new team, training with heavier athletes that will help me, and this fight has everything to be mine."
Queiroz (8-3) was matched against Kongo in the heavyweight tournament final in 2013, but injured both knees prior to the bout. It took him almost two years to return, defeating K-1 veteran Ewerton Teixeira via submission last September.
Kongo (23-10-2), who won that tournament with a decision over Peter Graham in the finale, went 3-2 after the tournament, including finishes over Eric Smith and Lavar Johnson and a decision against Alexander Volkov.
Bellator 150 will be headlined by bantamweight champion Marcos Galvao in a rematch with former teammate Eduardo Dantas.
Vinicius Queiroz replaces injured Augusto Sakai, meets Cheick Kongo at Bellator 150
