University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center to Host Bellator 81 on Nov. 16

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The Bellator Fighting Championships will make its first trip to Rhode Island on Nov. 16.

Bellator 81 will take place at the University of Rhode Island’s Ryan Center in Kingston, R.I. No bouts have been announced for the event as of yet, but the evening’s main draw is expected to air live on MTV2 and Epix in standard and high definition, respectively.

“The Ryan Center is an incredible arena that should play host to a great night of fights,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney in the official release. “The Northeast has always treated Bellator well, and I’m excited for the opportunity to bring Bellator to Rhode Island on Nov. 16.”

Bellator’s seventh season kicks off Sept. 28 and will see tournaments held in the featherweight, lightweight, welterweight and heavyweight divisions. As in prior seasons, the winner of each tournament will receive a $100,000 payday and a guaranteed title shot. The welterweight quarterfinals are scheduled to be contested first, as Lyman Good, Michail Tsarev, Jordan Smith and Nordine Taleb clash with Jim Wallhead, Tim Welch, Andrey Koreshkov and Marius Zaromskis at Bellator 74.