Neiman Gracie vs. Rudy Bears Set for Bellator 163 Preliminary Bill

Neiman Gracie will lock horns with Rudy Bears in a preliminary welterweight bout at Bellator 163.

Promotion officials confirmed the pairing on Wednesday following an initial report from Combate. Bellator 163 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Nov. 4 and is headlined by a light heavyweight title tilt between Liam McGeary and Phil Davis. The main card will air on Spike TV at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT, while the prelims stream immediately prior on Bellator.com.

Gracie, a 27-year-old Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu product, has been victorious in two Bellator appearances thus far. After scoring a first-round submission of Bobby Flynn in his debut, the New York resident garnered a decision victory against Roger Carroll in his most recent outing at Bellator 151.

A 30-fight veteran, the 37-year-old Bears hasn’t fought since suffering a first-round knockout loss to Michael Page at Bellator 140 in July 2015. Bears is 3-6 over the course of four separate Bellator stints and owns a 16-14 career mark.