Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez set for MMA debut at Bellator 165 in San Jose vs. Sheila Padilla

[TheEmperorRises]

The main card for Bellator’s November return to San Jose, Calif., has a pair of new fights – and one features a highly anticipated MMA debut.

Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez (0-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will step into an MMA cage for the first time as a professional in a women’s flyweight bout against Sheila Padilla (2-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA). A Bellator official today confirmed the booking to MMAjunkie. An official announcement is expected today, as well.

In addition, Bellator 165 has added a lightweight fight between a pair of unbeaten prospects to the preliminary card. Carrington Banks (5-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) will take on Jake Roberts (7-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) to close out the prelims.

Bellator 165 takes place Nov. 19 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Spike following prelims on MMAjunkie.

Taylor-Melendez, the wife of UFC lightweight and former Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez, has fought at Bellator events before – but not in MMA. At the promotion’s first two “Dynamite” events, which featured MMA and kickboxing fights on the same night in the same arena, she fought in the kickboxing ring.

The longtime muay Thai fighter beat Hadley Griffith at Bellator 142 (“Dynamite 1”) 13 months ago in San Jose. And in June, she beat Sarah Howell by unanimous decision at Bellator 157 (“Dynamite 2”) to move to 4-1 as a pro kickboxer. She said after that fight she hoped to make her pro MMA debut before the end of the year, and now she will.

Padilla, who like Taylor-Melendez is a California native, turned pro in MMA earlier this year and has a pair of unanimous decision victories under her belt. Her most recent victory came under the Tachi Palace Fights banner against Corina Herrera.

Banks will fight for the second time for Bellator. The Illinois native, who trains with the Blackzilians in South Florida, made his promotional debut at Bellator 156 in June and took a unanimous decision from C.J. Keith. Roberts fought for the company for the first time in August and stopped Stephen Martinez with a first-round TKO at Bellator 160 to move his record to 7-0 with six stoppages.

The Bellator 165 card now includes:

MAIN CARD (Spike, 9 p.m. ET)

Michael Chandler vs. Benson Henderson (for lightweight title)

Michael Venom Page vs. Fernando Gonzalez

Francis Carmont vs. Linton Vassell

Brandon Girtz vs. Adam Piccolotti

Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez vs Sheila Padilla


Full story here:
Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez set for MMA debut at Bellator 165 in San Jose vs. Sheila Padilla

 

[Ranger]

Was kind of disappointed, was hoping for Fiahlo or Chidi to be fighting on this card instead of her. Hey @CutmanMatt will we be seeing Mcdonough, and Lins soon? Before the end of the year?

I know a lot of people hate on bellator's match making, but you got to acknowledge Carrington Banks vs. Jake Roberts. Even though I wasn't a fan of Carrington's style in his debut, they are matching two solid prospects, and that always makes for an entertaining fight.

 

[Yossarian]

I didn't know they had a women's division.

 

[Ryann Von Doom]

I didn't know they had a women's division.

They have 2 of them, IIRC.. 145 and 125

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

Still can't understand why Thomson isn't in this card.

Only reasonable explanation is that they are looking to come back real soon, and are saving him for that fight. They could still add him, and put the carmont/ vassell fight on the prelims.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

Still can't understand why Thomson isn't in this card.

Only reasonable explanation is that they are looking to come back real soon, and are saving him for that fight. They could still add him, and put the carmont/ vassell fight on the prelims.

He may be rehabbing an injury (haven't heard one way or the other, but that would also be a reasonable explanation).

 

[Clappin'Daddys]

He may be rehabbing an injury (haven't heard one way or the other, but that would also be a reasonable explanation).

That's what I'm saying. Both his fights in bellator were one sided, where he didn't seem to take any damage at all. Unless he tweaked something.

Even then though, haven't heard of anything involving an injury. Where the hell is @CutmanMatt

 

[MMAHAWK]

Still can't understand why Thomson isn't in this card.

Only reasonable explanation is that they are looking to come back real soon, and are saving him for that fight. They could still add him, and put the carmont/ vassell fight on the prelims.

Seems to me to be sitting out for the winner of Henderson/ Chandler

 

[Jesus X]

good for her husband owns a gym so she probably has somewhere to train all the time. she is also a great striker.

 

[TheEmperorRises]

good for her husband owns a gym so she probably has somewhere to train all the time. she is also a great striker.

Mrs. Giblert

 

[Severianb]

Mrs. Giblert is crazy hot. Every picture I've seen of her, she looks great. Absolute Dimepiece.

The fact she seems to be a talented fighter as well..... man oh man.

Dream woman.

I want to die in a violent 3-way with her and Michelle Waterson. Preferably choked to death.