Phil Davis-Muhammed Lawal bout to headline Bellator 154

          • Brett OkamotoFeb 20, 2016, 12:59 AM 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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          HOUSTON -- A light heavyweight fight between Phil Davis and Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal will headline Bellator 154 on May 14 in San Jose, California.

          In the co-main event, former lightweight champion Michael Chandler will meet Josh Thomson.

          Bellator officials announced both fights Friday. The event will take place at SAP Center.

          Davis (15-3-1), a longtime UFC fighter who signed with Bellator in 2015, is coming off a very successful promotional debut. He defeated Emanuel Newton and Francis Carmont in a one-night tournament Sept. 19.

          Lawal (19-4) is coming off a tournament victory as well. The 35-year-old won a two-day heavyweight tournament under the Rizin FF banner on Dec. 31 in Japan.

          Prior to that, Lawal was supposed to fight Davis in the finals of that Bellator one-night tournament but was forced to withdraw due to a rib injury.

          Thomson (22-8) is 2-0 in Bellator. A former Strikeforce champion, Thomson has recorded finishes over Mike Bronzoulis and Pablo Villaseca.

          Chandler (14-3) lost the 155-pound title in November 2013. He then lost back-to-back fights to current champion Will Brooks, but he has since rebounded with two victories.