Officials confirmed Tuesday that Rory MacDonald’s welterweight title defense against unbeaten challenger Neiman Gracie will headline Bellator 222, with a light heavyweight bout between Lyoto Machida and Chael Sonnen serving as the co-main event.
The bout order had been in question given the star power of Machida, a former UFC light heavyweight champion, and Sonnen, who has been the headliner in all four of his appearances for Bellator. A heavyweight matchup between Sonnen and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was given main event billing over MacDonald’s duel with welterweight champion Douglas Lima the last time Sonnen and MacDonald were on the same card for Bellator 208.