Vitaly Minakov to face Cheick Kongo

          • Brett OkamotoJan 17, 2014, 01:53 PM ET
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              Brett Okamoto has reported on mixed martial arts and boxing at ESPN since 2010. He has covered all of the biggest events in combat sports during that time, including in-depth interviews and features with names such as Dana White, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Conor McGregor, Nate Diaz, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Georges St-Pierre. He was also a producer on the 30 for 30 film: "Chuck and Tito," which looked back at the careers and rivalry of Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz. He lives in Las Vegas, and is an avid, below-average golfer in his spare time.
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          A heavyweight title fight between newly crowned champion Vitaly Minakov and Cheick Kongo will headline Bellator 115 on April 4 in Reno, Nev.

          Bellator officials announced the title fight on Friday. The televised event will take place at the Reno Events Center.

          Minakov (13-0) won the title in November in a first-round TKO over fellow Russian Alexander Volkov. The undefeated 28-year-old cruised through the Summer Series Bellator tournament last year and has recorded stoppages in 12 of his 13 pro fights.

          Kongo (20-8-2) earned a shot at the Bellator crown by winning the latest heavyweight tournament, posting wins in back-to-back months over Mark Godbeer and Peter Graham.

          The Frenchman parted ways with the UFC in 2013, following a seven-year run with the promotion that encompassed 18 fights. Kongo never fought for a UFC title.