Mauricio Alonso returns to Bellator cage 31 months after TKO win over Josh Koscheck

Mauricio Alonso is back.

The Brazilian veteran is returning to the Bellator cage for the first time since scoring the biggest victory of his MMA career – a first-round technical knockout win over former UFC title challenger Josh Koscheck back in February 2017. It was Koscheck’s first and only appearance under the Bellator banner and marked his sixth straight defeat.

Alonso, who had a one-fight deal with the company when he spoiled Koscheck’s Bellator debut, will finally re-enter the cage on Oct. 4 when he takes on Johnny Eblen at Bellator 229 in Temecula, Calif.

Bellator officials confirmed the booking to MMA Fighting.

The 39-year-old middleweight is on a three-fight win streak dating back to 2016. Alonso holds a 1-1 record under the Bellator banner with a decision loss to Nick Pica in his previous appearance in the company in 2015. Alonso’s overall MMA record stands at 13-7 with one no-contest.

Eblen, 12 years younger than his opponent, is a middleweight prospect coming out of American Top Team in Florida. “Jeblen” won five in a row with four stoppages since turning pro in 2017. The only time he went the distance as a professional happened in his Bellator debut in March – unanimous decision win over Chauncey Foxworth.

Bellator 229 will take place at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula and is set to be headlined by former welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov taking on Lorenz Larkin.