The return of former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko is set for October 21, as “Storm” takes on Kendall Grove in the main event.
The card, which takes place from inside the FedEx Forum in Memphis, will air live on Spike and feature Bobby Lashley vs. Josh Appelt in the co-main event.
Shlemenko (53-9) has fought twice outside of Bellator after a failed drug test, defeating Vyacheslav Vasilevsky twice. In early 2015, he knocked out Melvin Manhoef, but the decision was overturned after the Russian tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone.
In 2014, he dropped the Bellator title to Brandon Halsey after a loss also that year to Tito Ortiz at light heavyweight.
Grove (23-15) is on a two-fight win streak that includes a pair of finishes. The former UFC fighter is 4-2 over six Bellator bouts and has shared the cage with the likes of Derek Brunson, Halsey, Joey Beltran and Demian Maia.
Lashley (14-2) splits time between MMA and pro wrestling, competing for TNA Impact. This will be hi first combat sports fight of 2016, as he has won seven straight overall.
Appelt (12-5) was removed from a Bellator 154 bout earlier this year with Sergei Kharitonov after the Russian withdrew. He has stopped 10 of his 12 opponents.
