Rafael Carvalho Defending Middleweight Title Against Alessio Sakara In December

The Bellator MMA Middleweight Title is going to be defended at a yet to be announced event this coming December in Italy as champion Rafael Carvalho defends the gold against UFC veteran Alessio Sakara.

Carvalho (14-1-0) is making the third defense of his championship, as both of his previous defenses came against Melvin Manhoef. Carvalho won the title by defeating Brandon Halsey by second round TKO at Bellator 144 in October of 2015. Carvalho has yet to fight a UFC veteran in his five year professional MMA career

Sakara (19-11-0-2NC) is currently undefeated under the Bellator MMA banner, having defeated the duo of Brian Rogers and Joey Beltran. Sakara is going to be making his Bellator MMA Middleweight Division debut, as his previous fights in the promotion came at light heavyweight. Sakara won six of fifteen fights during his time with the UFC, with notable wins coming over Thales Leites and James Irvin.

Bellator MMA: Italy takes place on Saturday, December 9 from a location to be announced in Florence, Italy with Rafael Carvalho and Alessio Sakara headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Spike TV.