Lorenz Larkin, arguably the No. 1 contender to fight for the Bellator welterweight title, is jumping up to 185 for a short notice matchup.
Sources close to the situation confirmed to MMA Fighting that Larkin will face Costello Van Steenis at Bellator 258. The event takes place May 7 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and airs on Showtime.
Both fighters also announced the matchup on social media.
After dropping his first two promotional appearances to Douglas Lima and Paul Daley, Larkin has won his last four fights. “Da Monsoon,” who signed as a free agent after going 4-1 over his final five UFC bouts, will make his first appearance since December 2019, when he picked up a dominant decision win over Keita Nakamura at Bellator 237 in Japan.
Van Steenis enters the contest with victories in seven of his last eight. After having a six-fight winning streak snapped by John Salter at Bellator 233 in November 2019, “The Spaniard” returned to action in September, defeating Fabian Edwards via split decision at Bellator Euro Series 8.
Bellator 258 is headlined by a bantamweight title bout between Juan Archuleta and Sergio Pettis. Additionally, the final opening-round matchup of the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix will take place in the co-main event between promotional newcomers Yoel Romero and Anthony Johnson.