Bellator Newcastle: Pitbull vs. Scope - February 9 (OFFICIAL DISCUSSION)

Bellator announced the next step in its European expansion initiative with details of the first event in the exclusive U.K., Ireland and Western Europe fight series. Set for Newcastle, England, Bellator returns to Metro Radio Arena on Saturday, Feb. 9 for Bellator Newcastle: Pitbull vs. Scope.

One of the most feared competitors on the roster, Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (20-8) returns for lightweight action against one of Bellator's most promising British fighters in former BAMMA champ Ryan Scope (11-1).

A perennial contender since joining Bellator in 2011 at Bellator 36, Patricky made an immediate impact by emphatically knocking out two true veterans of the sport. However, his most impressive run has come as of late, stringing together six wins in seven bouts and winning his last four against Josh Thomson, Benson Henderson, Derek Campos and Roger Huerta. Looking to put quickly himself back in the lightweight title picture, the 32-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt out of Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, will have to get past a former world champion on his own quest to capturing gold.

Ryan Scope will enter the Bellator cage for the first time on February 9 looking to improve upon his exceptional 11-1 mark as a professional; a record the Sunderland fighter accrued on the European MMA scene since turning pro at age 17. With eight stoppages in his 11 wins, Scope will face an opponent who shares his affinity for not allowing fights to go the distance. At only 26 years of age and now free from injury, "Big Baby" find himself in his toughest test to date in hopes of a memorable Bellator debut in front of a partisan crown in Newcastle.

Going with Pitbull in this one.