After disappointment last time, Leah McCourt will try to pick herself back up in front of her hometown fans.
McCourt has been booked to fight Dayana Silva in a women’s featherweight bout Sept. 23 at Bellator 285 from 3Arena in Dublin. Bellator officials announced the booking Monday following an initial report by SevereMMA.
McCourt, 29, seemingly was one win away from a title shot heading into her most recent bout with fellow-Irish fighter Sinead Kavanagh, but McCourt (6-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) came up short by dropping a unanimous decision. The loss snapped a six-fight winning streak. Silva (10-7), 31, is a former Dana White’s Contender Series alum who failed to earn a UFC contract in August 2018 by losing a split decision in her tryout fight. She’s 1-2 since joining Bellator in 2021, with her losses coming against former 145-pound champ Julia Budd and two-time title challenger Arlene Blencowe. Silva was victorious in her most recent bout, defeating Janay Harding by unanimous decision in April at Bellator 279 in Honolulu.
MAIN CARD (Showtime, 4 p.m. ET)
Benson Henderson vs. Peter Queally
Melvin Manhoef vs. Yoel Romero
James Gallagher vs. Brett Johns
Mads Burnell vs. Pedro Carvalho
Leah McCourt vs. Dayana Silva
PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 12:30 p.m. ET)
Sinead Kavanagh vs. TBA
Ciaran Clarke vs. Georges Sasu
Brian Moore vs. Arivaldo Lima Silva
Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Kane Mousah
Darragh Kelly vs. Kye Stevens
Alex Bodnar vs. Kenny Mokhonoana
Asael Adjoudj vs. Adam Gustab