After Pico Upset, Zach Freeman Returns to Face Saad Awad at Bellator 186 on Nov. 3

Zach Freeman made a name for himself by shocking highly-touted prospect Aaron Pico at Madison Garden. Now he’ll face a Bellator MMA veteran in his second promotional foray.

Promotion officials announced on Tuesday that Freeman will square off against Saad Awad in a lightweight tilt at Bellator 186 on Nov. 3 at Bryce Jordan Center on the Penn State University Campus. The card is headlined by a light heavyweight championship clash between Ryan Bader and Linton Vassell.

Freeman improved to 9-2 in his pro career by submitting the debuting Pico with a guillotine choke in 24 seconds at Bellator: NYC on June 24. The 33-year-old known as “The Altar Boy” is a former title challenger in Resurrection Fighting Alliance and has finished seven of his nine triumphs inside the distance.

Awad, meanwhile, halted a two-fight skid with a unanimous verdict against Ryan Quinn at Bellator 178 on April 21. The Millennia MMA product is 8-6 during his tenure with the California-based promotion, including notable wins over ex-champ Will Brooks and Evangelista Santos.