Liam McGeary vs. Chris Fields to Headline Bellator 173 in Belfast on Feb. 24

A light heavyweight duel between Liam McGeary and Chris Fields will top Bellator MMA’s return to Ireland on Feb. 24.

Promotion officials also confirmed that SBG Ireland prospect James Gallagher will compete against an as-yet-to-be-named opponent on the card, which will be entitled Bellator 173. The event takes place at the SSE Arena in Belfast and airs on Spike at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. The California-based promotion made its Ireland debut in Dublin with Bellator 169 on Dec. 16.

McGeary relinquished the light heavyweight title in his last outing at Bellator 163, dropping a five-round verdict against Phil Davis on Nov. 4. That marked the first defeat in 11 professional appearances for the 34-year-old Englishman, whose Bellator tenure includes triumphs over Tito Ortiz and Emanuel Newton.

Fields, meanwhile, is a veteran of the British Association of Mixed Martial Arts and Cage Warriors Fighting Championship promotions. The 33-year-old Dublin native last appeared at BAMMA 24, where he submitted Dan Konecke with a brabo choke in the opening frame.