Former Bellator MMA light heavyweight champion Liam McGeary has been pegged to headline Bellator 173 on Feb. 24 in Northern Ireland.
Looking to rebound from his first professional loss, McGeary (11-1) will face Chris Fields (11-7-1) inside SSE Arena in Belfast. Bellator president Scott Coker revealed the 205-pound main event to ESPN on Monday.
In addition to the main event, 20-year-old Irish prospect James Gallagher (5-0) is expected to make his third Bellator appearance. Gallagher's opponent is still being finalized.
McGeary, 34, surrendered his title to Phil Davis in November. Originally from England, now fighting out of New York, McGeary lost to Davis via unanimous decision at Bellator 163.
The loss marked McGeary's only appearance in 2016. He enjoyed a breakthrough campaign the year before, as he defeated Emanuel Newton for the championship in February and recorded one defense in November, against Tito Ortiz.
Fields, 33, has gone the distance only once in his professional career. Both Fields and Gallagher train out of SBG Ireland in Dublin, home of UFC champion Conor McGregor.
Bellator 173 will be co-promoted, along with United Kingdom promotion BAMMA. The two organizations also co-promoted an event on Dec. 16 in Dublin.
