Another thrilling bout on-paper has been added to Bellator’s return to the Aloha State.
At Bellator 279, featherweight Kai Kamaka III (9-4-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) will have a homecoming as he faces Justin Gonzales (12-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) in Honolulu.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. KHON first reported the news.
Bellator 279 takes place Saturday, April 23 at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, as the second leg of a two-event-in-one-weekend showing for the promotion. Bellator 278 takes place the day prior, Friday, April 22 at the same venue. The main cards stream on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.
In December, Kamaka returned to Bellator after a four-fight stint in the UFC. At Bellator 272, he defeated John de Jesus via unanimous decision. The victory snapped a three-fight winless streak.
As for Gonzales, a former LFA champion, he’ll look to rebound from the first loss of his professional career. After he defeated Tywan Claxton in his Bellator debut, Gonzales lost a unanimous decision to Aaron Pico at Bellator 271 in November.
With the addition, the Bellator 279 lineup includes:
- Champion Sergio Pettis vs. Raufeon Stots – grand prix quarterfinal for bantamweight title
- Champion Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe – for women’s featherweight title
- Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Patchy Mix – grand prix quarterfinal
- Justine Kish vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
- Yancy Medeiros vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
- Justin Gonzales vs. Kai Kamaka III
Bellator 279 adds Hawaii’s Kai Kamaka III vs. Justin Gonzales