Ed Ruth (Photo/Bellator)Last month, wrestling fans learned that Penn State would be hosting Bellator 186 mixed martial arts event in November, featuring wrestling alums Ed Ruth and Phil Davis.
Now those two all-time Nittany Lion mat greats have learned who they will be facing at the event to be held Friday, Nov. 3 at Bryce Jordan Center on the Penn State campus.
Ed Ruth, three-time NCAA champ, will go up against Chris Dempsey in a middleweight (185-pound) bout ... while 2009 NCAA titlewinner Phil Davis will face Leonardo Leite in a light-heavyweight (205-pound) fight.
Ruth, who made his pro MMA debut last November, is now 3-0, with all those wins by TKO. Prior to entering MMA, Ruth became the first three-time NCAA Division I champ in the long history of Penn State wrestling, winning the 174-pound championship in 2012, and back-to-back titles at 184 in 2013 and 2014.
Dempsey is a western Pennsylvania native with an amateur mat background as an NCAA All-American wrestler at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. Dempsey got off to a great start in MMA, posting a 10-0 record before stumbling somewhat when he started competing in the UFC. His record is now 11-5.
Davis had been Bellator light-heavyweight champ until last June when he fell to Ryan Bader, former Arizona State All-American wrestler. "Mr. Wonderful" brings a 17-4 (with one no-contest) record to his match at Penn State, where he'll be facing Bellator newcomer Leo Leite, whose background is judo. Prior to signing with Bellator, Leite compiled a perfect 10-0 record in his four-year pro MMA career, capturing the Legacy FC middleweight and light heavyweight belts along the way.
The top-of-the-card bout at Bellator 186 will feature Ryan Bader defending his title against Linton Vassell. A second title fight will feature Ilima MacFarlane taking on Emily Ducote in a rematch for the vacant women's flyweight title.
Bellator 186 is believed to be the first pro MMA event to be held on a major college campus.
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