Report: Bellator Returns to NYC with Chael Sonnen vs. Lyoto Machida Matchup

Madison Square Garden will host its fifth major MMA event on Friday, June 14.

Bellator is coming back to NYC, and it’s bringing Chael Sonnen vs. Lyoto Machida, among others. More: https://t.co/lgkrt3xJfV

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 4, 2019

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Bellator MMA is returning to Madison Square Garden this summer, bringing back the man who headlined their first jaunt to the Big Apple in Chael Sonnen, who will face Lyoto Machida.

According to ESPN on Thursday, heavyweight tournament semifinalist Sonnen (30-16-1) will be returning to light heavyweight to compete against former Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champ Machida (25-8) at a Bellator event on June 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. ESPN previously reported in February the two would meet in the summer, and the date and location have now been set.

Sonnen previously headlined the promotion's first foray into New York City, when he beat Wanderlei Silva at Bellator 180 in 2017. Three-time UFC title challenger Sonnen has had a rocky Bellator career so far, capturing decisions over Silva and Quinton Jackson among stoppage losses to Tito Ortiz and Fedor Emelianenko. Every one of Sonnen's losses dating back to 2004 has come by stoppage, with a lone decision loss to Keiichiro Yamamiya the only time he has ever lost on the scorecards in his 20 career bouts that went the distance.

Machida made his Bellator debut at Bellator 213, where he earned a close split decision win over former middleweight king Rafael Carvalho in December. Moving back up to the weight class where he spent much of his career, it will be his first at light heavyweight since dropping a decision to Phil Davis at UFC 163 in 2013. "The Dragon" is currently riding a three-fight win streak beating the likes of Eryk Anders and Vitor Belfort, his longest since beginning his career 16-0.

The yet-to-be named Bellator event will take place on June 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. No other bouts have been announced for the card, and it is unknown if Sonnen vs. Machida will serve as the headliner.