“Bellator: Unfinished Business” gets touch of local flavor

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (April 27, 2015) – June’s blockbuster “Bellator: Unfinished Business” event is getting a little local flavor, as two new preliminary contests feature fighters from “The Show Me State.”

The new all-Missouri contests include lightweights Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1) and middleweights Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0).

Featuring one of the most anticipated fights in the history of the sport with Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock, “Bellator: Unfinished Business” takes place Friday, June 19, at St. Louis’ Scottrade Center and airs live on Spike.

Tickets for “Bellator: Unfinished Business,” which start at just $30, are currently on sale at Ticketmaster.com

Additional contests will be announced shortly.

A five-time Shamrock FC veteran, Smith makes his Bellator MMA debut as he looks to rebound from a split-decision loss to Cory Hunter in March. Prior to the disappointing result, Smith was 4-1 in his previous five fights – a run that included two TKO victories and one submission.

Smith now meets three-time Shamrock FC fighter Nelson, who turned pro in December 2013 and also competes under the Bellator MMA banner for the first time. Nelson has earned both of his career wins to date via first-round stoppage, while his lone career loss went the distance, when he came up just short via split decision.

Royer and Watson have also spent the early stages of their professional careers competing exclusively under the Shamrock FC banner.

A submission specialist, Royer built an impressive amateur record fighting on Missouri’s regional scene before turning professional in 2013. An action-first fighter, both of his pro contests have ended in the first round.  Royer now meets Watson, who made his professional debut this past June with a first-round TKO victory.

“Bellator MMA: Unfinished Business” – Friday, May June 19, Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Mo.

Main Card

Bellator Heavyweight Main Event: Kimbo Slice (4-2) vs. Ken Shamrock (28-15-2)

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight: Champ Patricio Pitbull (23-2) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (24-4-1)

Bellator Featured Heavyweight Fight: Bobby Lashley (12-2) vs. James Thompson (20-14)

Bellator Featured Lightweight Fight: Michael Chandler (12-3) vs. Derek Campos (15-4)

Preliminary Card

Bellator Welterweight Prelim Fight: Justin Guthrie (17-8) vs. Steven Mann (10-1)

Bellator Strawweight Prelim Fight: Miles McDonald (0-1) vs. Dan O’Connor (5-4)

Bellator Lightweight Prelim Fight: Malcolm Smith (4-4) vs. Luke Nelson (2-1)

Bellator Featherweight Prelim Fight: Kain Royer (1-1) vs. Enrique Watson (1-0)