Bellator 100 Set with Saunders-Lima WW Final; War Machine, Riddle Tapped for Tourney

The headlining 170-pound attraction has twice been postponed due injury, as Lima was forced to withdraw from the rematch in both March and June. The American Top Team representatives first met back in 2011, when Lima knocked out “Killa B” to capture the Season 5 tournament crown.

Bellator 100 takes place at the Grand Canyon University Arena in Phoenix and will also feature the opening round of the Season 9 welterweight tournament, highlighted by UFC veterans War Machine and Matt Riddle taking on Vaughn Anderson and Luis Sergio Teotonio da Fonseca Melo Jr., respectively. Additionally, British talent Mark Scanlon will square off with Herman Terrado, while Brent Weedman returns to the welterweight division against Justin Baesman.

Following his defeat to Lima, Saunders entered the Season 6 draw last year, falling to Bryan Baker in the semis before fighting his way to the Season 8 finals by besting Koffi Adzitso and Raul Amaya this spring. Saunders owns 13 of his 16 career victories by stoppage and has never been submitted in nine years of competition.

Lima, meanwhile, has won 12 of his last 13 fights, with his only loss in that span coming to reigning welterweight king Ben Askren. Since his failed title bid, “The Phenom” has rattled off a trio of stoppage wins, taking out Jacob Ortiz last November before stopping Michail Tsarev and Baker to earn his spot in the Season 8 finals.