Cheick Kongo to clash with Alexander Volkov at Bellator 139

A heavyweight clash between veteran Cheick Kongo and hard-hitting Russian fighter Alexander Volkov has been booked for June.

Bellator officials confirmed that the heavyweights will be the main event for Bellator 139, which takes place on June 26 at the Kansas City Events Center in Mulvane, Kansas.

This will be the seventh fight for the Frenchman Kongo under the Bellator banner, after having fought in the UFC for seven years. Kongo dropped a decision his last time out against former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, Muhammed Lawal, at Bellator 134. Before then he scored victories over Eric Smith and Lavar Johnson.

As for the 6-foot-7 Volkov, he had won five fights in a row -- with four finishes -- before he had the streak snapped against Tony Johnson at Bellator 136 on April 10. He dropped a split decision. In his career, Volkov (24-5) has finished 17 of his opponents via TKO or KO.

Already announced for Bellator 139 is a lightweight bout between Dave Rickels and John Alessio, as well as a match-up between former featherweight champion Pat Curran and Goiti Yamauchi.