Report: Richie Smullen vs. Harry Hardwick Slated For Bellator Milan on September 26th.

Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

An eye-catching featherweight matchup of talented grappler, Richie Smullen, and fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu player, Harry 'Houdini' Hardwick has been added to Bellator Milan on September 26th. from the Allianz Cloud Arena in Milan, Italy.

Hoping to return to winning ways - Arklow native, Smullen dropped his first promotional defeat in his last outing at Bellator Dublin in February - finding himself on the wrong side of a close split decision, short-notice defeat to Alberth Dias.

Attempting to improve to 2-0 under the Bellator banner, Middlesbrough based grappler shares Hardwich the card with brother, George Hardwick - following the former's majority decision win over Nathan Rose at Bellator London in November of last year.

With a 2-1 promotional résumé since his transition from The Ultimate Fighter 27 defeat to Luis 'Violent Bob Ross' Peña - Smullen took a unanimous decision win over Adam Gustab, before a quickfire rear-naked choke triumph over Sean Tobin at Bellator Dublin in September last year.

Hoping to add a Straight Blast Gym staple to his win column, Hardwick dropped a prior career win over talented all-rounder, Blaine O'Driscoll during their stints under the BAMMA banner. With two straight victories, Hardwick has managed to score, similarly to Smullen, five professional victories. Prior to his win over Rose, Hardwick managed to finish Cameron Hardy with a second-round guillotine.