Bellator 226 faceoff: Champ-champ Ryan Bader sizes up streaking Cheick Kongo

BURBANK, Calif. – Dual Bellator champ Ryan Bader will get back to work in September when he puts his heavyweight belt on the line against Cheick Kongo in the main event of Bellator 226.

Kongo (30-10-2 MMA, 12-2 BMMA) earned his shot at Bader (27-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) by putting together an eight-fight winning streak in the heavyweight division. Bader will attempt to make his first defense of the belt after knocking out Fedor Emelianenko inside one minute to win the heavyweight grand prix tournament in January.

Promotion for the heavyweight headliner kicked off today when Bader and Kongo had their first staredown at a media day in Los Angeles.

Bellator 226 takes place Sept. 7 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

For more on Bellator 226, check out the MMA Schedule.