Bellator 239 adds promotional debut of former WSOF title challenger Josh Hill

Josh Hill has his Bellator debut in his sights.

A former WSOF title challenger, Hill (18-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will take on former LFA title challenger Vinicius Zani (11-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) on the Bellator 239 prelims.

A promotion official informed MMA Junkie of booking and confirmed an additional preliminary card booking between Bobby Lee (11-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) and Shamil Nikaev (9-0 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), as well.

In 2013, Hill was featured on “The Ultimate Fighter 18,” where he punched his ticket into the house with a win over Paddy Holohan. Eventually, he was eliminated when he lost a decision to Mike Wooten.

In WSOF, Hill challenged then-champion Marlon Moraes twice – once in December 2015 and another in July 2016. Hill lost both outings, the first by decision and the second by second-round knockout.

Hill has won four out of his last five fights, including a stoppage win over former TKO champion Jesse Arnett in May.

As for Zani, the 32-year-old Brazilian has not competed since LFA 36 in March 2018, when he was finished in 59 seconds by Ricky Simon. The loss snapped a four-fight win streak.

With the additions, the Bellator 239 lineup now includes:

MAIN CARD (Paramount, DAZN, 9 p.m. ET)

Ed Ruth vs. Yaroslav Amosov
Brandon Girtz vs. Myles Jury
Tyrell Fortune vs. Timothy Johnson
Javy Ayala vs. Valentin Moldavsky

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 7 p.m. ET)

Cris Lencioni vs. Salim Mukhidinov
Denise Kielholtz vs. Kristina Williams
Lucas Brennan vs. Jamese Taylor
Adil Benjilany vs. Kevin Croom
Chris Gonzalez vs. Aaron McKenzie
Christian Edwards vs. Marco Hutch
Teejay Britton vs. Gabriel Varga
Grant Neal vs. Claude Wilcox
Davion Franklin vs. J.W. Kiser
Steve Mowry vs. Rudy Schaffroth
Gaston Bolanos vs. Solo Hatley Jr.
Kyle Crutchmer vs. Scott Futrell
Shamil Nikaev vs. Bobby Lee
Mark Lemminger vs. Carlo Pedersoli Jr.
Shawn Bunch vs. Keith Lee
Josh Hill vs. Vinicius Zani
Bobby Lee vs. Shamil Nikaev