The former UFC light heavyweight champion will meet ex-Bellator middleweight titleholder Rafael Carvalho at Bellator’s Hawaii debut on Dec. 15, multiple sources confirmed to MMA Fighting following a report by ESPN.
The fight card takes place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
Machida (24-8) parted ways with the UFC on a two-fight winning streak, defeating Eryk Anders via decision in February and scoring a stunning front kick knockout over Vitor Belfort in May. He also holds a victory over current Bellator champion Gegard Mousasi.
Carvalho (15-2) had his 15-fight winning streak snapped by Mousasi in May, losing the 185-pound belt in the process.