Bellator champ Rafael Carvalho meets Alessio Sakara in Italy

A long-rumored middleweight title fight is official for Bellator’s return to Italy.

Bellator officials recently announced that 185-pound title holder Rafael Carvalho (14-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) faces Italy’s own Alessio Sakara (19-11 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) in the main event of Bellator 190 on Dec. 9 at Nelson Mandela Forum in Florence.

Carvalho brings an impressive 14-fight winning streak to the cage, standing undefeated since dropping his pro debut in 2011. Included in that 14-fight run are 11 knockout wins. The Brazilian scored the Bellator middleweight crown with an October 2015 TKO of Brandon Halsey and has since defended it twice with a pair of wins over Dutch knockout artist Melvin Manhoef.

Meanwhile, Sakara is best known for his 15 UFC appearances that spanned from 2005 to 2013. While his octagon run ended with four consecutive losses, “Legionarius” has experienced a rejuvenation in his post-UFC career, currently boasting a three-fight winning streak that has seen Sakara earn all three via knockout.

For more on Bellator 190, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.