Aaron Pico vs. Zach Freeman confirmed for 'Bellator NYC,' prelims added to Bellator 180

Bellator MMA today confirmed the main card for its second pay-per-view event while confirming additional bouts for its Spike-televised lead-in, Bellator 180.

A featherweight bout between prospect Aaron Pico and Zach Freeman will serve as the PPV leadoff, setting up a main card that concludes with Chael Sonnen (29-14-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) vs. Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), according to a press release from the Viacom-owned promotion.

As previously reported, Bellator 180’s main event sees light heavyweight champ Phil Davis (17-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) face off against high-profile acquisition Ryan Bader (22-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) after Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal (21-6 MMA, 10-4 BMMA) was forced out due to injury.

Two additional title fights serve on the pay-per-view event, with welterweight champ Douglas Lima (28-6 MMA, 10-2 BMMA) defending against recent signee Lorenz Larkin (18-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and lightweight champ Michael Chandler (16-3 MMA, 13-3 BMMA) facing off with Brent Primus (7-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA).

The dual-branded events take place June 24 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Bellator prelims stream live on MMAjunkie.

Also confirmed for the Bellator 180 main card is a welterweight bout between the undefeated Neiman Gracie and Dave Marfone. Additional prelim bouts include the return of Strikeforce and UFC vet Ryan Couture (10-5 MMA, 2-2 BMMA), who meets Haim Gozali (7-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA); Jerome Mickle (2-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) vs. Anthony Giacchina (1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA); John Salgado (4-7-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) vs. Hugh McKenna (0-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA); and Matt Rizzo (9-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) vs. Sergio da Silva (6-8 MMA, 0-0 BMMA)

Tickets for the event start at $60, per the press release.

The current cards for Bellator NYC and Bellator 180 include:

For more on Bellator NYC and Bellator 180, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.