Report – Brian Moore vs. Nikita Mikhailov booked for Bellator 269 on October 23rd.

A bantamweight matchup between Wexford native, Brian ‘The Pikeman’ Moore, and Nikita Mikhailov has been booked for Bellator 269 on October 23. from the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia.

Undefeated in his last three consecutive outings, Straight Blast Gym trainee, Moore last featured at Bellator 263 in Los Angeles, California at the Staples Centre — besting Jordan Winski with an impressive unanimous decision victory in the opening bout of the promotion’s showcase.

For the 7-1 Mikhailov, the Stary Oskol native makes his first walk under the Scott Coker-led banner, and enters the showdown with Moore off the back of a three-fight winning spree himself, the last of which came under the Fight Nights Global banner back in April of 2019 against Mukhamed Eminov. News of Moore’s return against Mikhailov was first reported by Severe MMA reporter, Seán Sheehan. 

34-year-old striker, Moore is slated for his ninth walk under the Bellator MMA banner — following a debut outing back in December 2016 in a first round arm-triangle loss against veteran finisher, Daniel Weichel. 

Moore also notably headlined Bellator 187 back in November 2017 on home soil at the 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland — suffering a third round rear-naked choke against recently minted featherweight champion and featherweight World Grand Prix victor, A.J. ‘Mercenary’ McKee. 

Unbeaten in his last three outings, Moore has bested the trio of Son Le Binh, as well as the aforenoted, Winski — sandwiched between a knockout success opposite Simone D’Anna. 

22-year-old Russian prospect, Mikhailov makes his return to the sport following a two-year hiatus, which saw bouts against both Tomas Deak, Evgeniy Ignatiev fall to the wayside.

The long-time Fight Nights Global contender has taken two knockout wins in his career to go with a sole submission stoppage, adding the abovementioned, Eminov to a streak that also features Sabit Zhusupov, and Vadim Busaev.

Bellator 269 takes place on October 23. from the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia — with a heavyweight headlining bout between former Pride FC heavyweight champion and Grand Prix victor, Fedor Emelinenko and one-time interim heavyweight title challenger, Timothy Johnson slated. 

Ross Markey

Senior writer for FightBook MMA. An aspiring mixed martial arts reporter based in Ireland. Producer of news articles, interviews, opinion features, and exclusive features such as, ‘The Fallout’, ‘The Breakdown, and, ‘This Week In MMA’.