Former Bellator Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov needed a new opponent for Bellator 219 after the withdrawal of Lorenz Larkin and now he has one according to MMA Junkie as Mike Jasper has accepted the short notice opportunity.
Koreshkov (21-3-0) has won two out of his last three entering this bout, with those victories coming over the duo of Chidi Njokuani and Vaso Bakocevic. Koreshkov also competed in the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix, losing in the opening round to Douglas Lima. Koreshkov is also a former Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion, defeating the aforementioned Lima in their first encounter at Bellator 140 in July of 2015.
Jasper (13-4-0) is going to be making his Bellator MMA debut in this bout and does so on the strength of a three fight winning streak. Jasper is also going to be returning to action for the first time in about a year, with his last bout taking place in April of 2018. Jasper also competed on the UFC Ultimate Fighter 17, losing in the opening round of the reality show to Collin Hart.
Bellator 219 takes place on Friday, March 29 from the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, California with Saad Awad and Brandon Girtz headlining. Fightful is going to be providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on the Paramount Network.
