Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Sam Sicilia to Serve as Co-Main Event at Bellator 198

A featherweight showdown pitting Emmanuel Sanchez against Sam Sicilia will co-headline Bellator 198.

The promotion revealed the matchup on Monday night. Bellator 198 takes place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., on April 28 and features a heavyweight grand prix matchup between Fedor Emelianenko and Frank Mir. The card will be televised on the Paramount Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

Sanchez has won six of his last seven in the California-based organization, with his only defeat coming at the hands of former title challenger Daniel Weichel via split decision. “El Matador” scored the biggest victory of his tenure to date at Bellator 184, when he submitted ex-champ Daniel Straus with a triangle choke in the third round.

Sicilia signed with Bellator on the heels of a three-fight skid in the UFC. He made his debut at Bellator 189, taking a unanimous decision over Marcos Galvao. Sicilia went 5-7 during his UFC stint and is 16-8 as a professional overall.

#Bellator198 co-main just announced!

Featherweights Emmanuel Sanchez (@ElMatador145) and @SamSiciliaMMA step into the cage April 28th at @AllstateArena!

Tickets https://t.co/dkh28tUt80 pic.twitter.com/6LiBrDt178

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2018