Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Godbeer set for Bellator 101

Former UFC heavyweight Cheick Kongo (18-8-2 MMA) will make his Bellator MMA debut later this month, as it was announced Saturday that Kongo will face fellow promotional newcomer Mark Godbeer at Bellator 101 in Portland.

Kongo was last seen in action at UFC 159 in New Jersey, where the Frenchman suffered a first-round KO loss to Roy “Big Country” Nelson. Prior to that, Kongo battled Shawn Jordan at UFC 149 in Calgary, where he earned a unanimous decision victory.

Kongo was far from a slouch while fighting under the Zuffa banner, accumulating an 11-6-1 record during his time with the promotion. Unfortunately, after losing 2 of his past 3 octagon bouts via KO (to Roy Nelson and Mark Hunt), the UFC and Kongo decided to mutually part ways.

Meanwhile, Cheick’s Bellator 101 opponent, Mark Goodbeer, will fight for the first time since March of 2012,  where he earned a first-round win at BAMMA 9. Prior to that bout, Godbeer suffered the first and only loss of his professional career at the hands of Anthony Taylor at an SFC event in his native England.

Bellator 101 takes place September 27 at the The Moda Center at Rose Quarter in Portland.