Ion Pascu

Bellator 207: Mitrione vs. Bader took place on October 12, 2018 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The event was live on Paramount Network. The event saw a semi-final round bout in the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix as Matt Mitrione takes on current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Ryan Bader. Erick Silva was expected to make his promotional debut at this event facing Lorenz Larkin in a Welterweight World Grand Prix alternate bout, but Silva pulled out due to injury. He was replaced by the Romanian fighter Ion Pascu.

Bellator 196 featured a lightweight main event between Benson Henderson and Roger Huerta, returning to the promotion after a 7 year absence. The original main event between Adam Borics and James Gallagher was cancelled after a wrist injury was sustained by Gallagher during training.