Kevin 'Baby Slice' Ferguson, Jr.'s Pro Debut Set for Bellator 162 | MMAWeekly.com

The preliminary portion of “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on Oct. 21 is official and amongst the 12 new additions, there is plenty of action to be consumed during the Bellator.com-streamed card.

Notably, the professional mixed martial arts debut of Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson, Jr. will finally take place, when the 24-year-old returns from injury to meet Rick Bing, who also will be lacing up the gloves for the first time as a pro. In addition, Steve Garcia (6-1) will face Ronnie Lawrence (1-0), Julia Budd (8-2) also returns from injury to face Arlene Blencowe (7-5), heavyweights Chase Gormley (13-5) and Bobby Brents (17-5) collide, and 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide National Champion Eryk Anders (4-0) takes on Brian White (5-4).

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The completed preliminary portion joins a stacked main card highlighted by a middleweight main event pitting former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) against Kendall Grove (23-15). In addition, former WWE competitor Bobby Lashley (14-2) and Josh Appelt (12-5) prepare to square off in a heavyweight co-main event, while a middleweight tilt between Hisaki Kato (6-2) and A.J. Matthews (8-5) is also set for the SPIKE-televised main card. Lastly, Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) and Ryan Couture (10-4) will face-off in a lightweight feature fight.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at Bellator.com, Ticketmaster or FedExForum Box Office. Main card action kicks off LIVE and FREE on SPIKE at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while prelims streams live on Bellator.com and The Bellator Mobile App.

See below for the complete listing of “Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove” tilts, which amounts to 16 action packed bouts.

Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove Main Card:

• Middleweight Main Event: Alexander Shlemenko (53-9) vs. Kendall Grove (23-15)
• Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Bobby Lashley (14-2) vs. Josh Appelt (12-5)
• Middleweight Feature Bout: Hisaki Kato (6-2) vs. A.J. Matthews (8-5)
• Lightweight Feature Bout: Goiti Yamauchi (19-3) vs. Ryan Couture (10-4)

Bellator 162: Shlemenko vs. Grove Preliminary Card:

• Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Baby Slice (Debut) vs. Rick Bing (Debut)
• Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Ricky Rainey (11-4) vs. Gilbert Smith (12-5)
• Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Steve Garcia (6-1) vs. Ronnie Lawrence (1-0)
• Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chase Gormley (13-5, 1 NC) vs. Bobby Brents (17-5)
• Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Julia Budd (8-2) vs. Arlene Blencowe (7-5)
• Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Dan Charles (10-3-1) vs. Virgil Zwicker (14-5-1)
• Welterweight Preliminary Bout: Tyler Hill (6-0) vs. Wade Johnson (10-1)
• Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Jonathan Burdine (4-4) vs. James Wallace (1-0)
• Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Eryk Anders (4-0) vs. Brian White (5-4)
• Catchweight (160 lb.) Preliminary Bout: Jaleel Willis (6-0) vs. Omar Johnson (4-0)
• Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Chad Cook (10-10) vs. Grady Hurley (9-1)
• Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Mike Wessell (14-8) vs. Frank Tate (4-1)

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