Darrion Caldwell set to clash with Joe Taimanglo at Bellator 159

Bellator is headed back to Kansas this summer, and Bellator 159 will feature a key bantamweight fight that could determine the next bantamweight contender.

On Wednesday, Bellator announced that undefeated up-and-comer Darrion Caldwell will take on Guam's Joe Taimanglo in the main event at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kansas. The card will take place on July 22.

The co-main event will feature Kansas native Dave Rickels against longtime UFC veteran Melvin Guillard, who is trying to snap a three-fight skid.

The 28-year old New Jersey native Caldwell is coming off the biggest victory of his career, having submitted former 135-pound champion Joe Warren at Bellator 151 in March. The collegiate All-American wrestler from North Carolina State has been perfect in his young career, going 9-0 with five first round finishes. He has gone a perfect 6-0 in Bellator.

Should he get by Taimanglo, a title shot is likely in order. Marcos Galvao stands as the bantamweight champion currently.

Taimanglo, 31, has won three fights in a row and is 5-2 overall in Bellator. He is coming off of a unanimous decision victory over Sirwan Kakai, which took place at the same Bellator 151 card in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Rickels (17-4) rebounded well from his loss against Michael Chandler by scoring a first-round knockout of Bobby Cooper at Bellator 150 in February. Hailing from Derby, Kansas, he'll have his hands full with Guillard, who is coming back from a broken hand.

Guillard, 33, has has gone 0-2 under the Bellator umbrella, losing a split decision to Brandon Girtz in his debut, then getting knocked out by Derek Campos at Bellator 149 in Houston.