Michael McDonald to make Bellator debut this December in England

Top-ranked bantamweight Michael McDonald will make his Bellator debut this winter in the U.K., Bellator President Scott Coker today told MMAjunkie.

McDonald (17-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is scheduled to appear against a to-be-determined opponent at a Dec. 15 Bellator event, which takes at Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England.

The event’s main card airs on Spike, though it’s not yet clear whether it will air live or via tape-delay. The event also is still without a name/number.

McDonald’s debut comes nine months after he defected from the UFC amid frustration over the industry-leader’s business practices. While McDonald said he held no ill will toward his previous promoter, he successfully lobbied to terminate his contract with fights still remaining.

The 26-year-old most recently fought in July 2016, suffering a knockout loss to John Lineker. McDonald has bounced between wins and losses over the past four years, also spending two years on the bench due to hand and wrist injuries.

McDonald, the No. 13 fighter in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, once fought for the interim UFC bantamweight title, taking then-champ Renan Barao into the fourth round before tapping to an arm-triangle.

Once the youngest competitor in the octagon at 20, McDonald will look to rebuild in the Bellator bantamweight division, which is currently dominated by two-time champ Eduardo Dantas. Next month, Dantas defends his belt against Darrion Caldwell in the headliner of Bellator 184.

For more on Bellator’s upcoming schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.