Kimbo Slice vs. James Thompson 2 Announced for Bellator 158: Comments, Reaction

For the first time in eight years, Kimbo Slice and James Thompson will throw down in the cage.

On Sunday, Bellator President Scott Coker announced on SportsCenter that Slice-Thompson II will take place at Bellator 158 on July 16 at the O2 Arena in London (via MMA Junkie).

The two fighters met in 2008, when both were in EliteXC. Slice won by technical knockout.

“This is probably one of the most anticipate rivalries or rematch that I can think of, and we’re going to put that fight together July 16 in London at The O2 arena,” Coker told ESPN's Todd Grisham (via MMAjunkie).

The last time the brawlers were in the Octagon together, Thompson's left ear suffered the most damage. It swelled up after he took so many shots to that side of his head, and with one more right-handed strike from Slice, the ear began to bleed profusely.

The referee controversially stopped the fight with Thompson not showing any signs of being in danger.

Bellator's announcement that Slice will fight five months after his last bout comes as a surprise. Slice defeated Dhafir "Dada 5000" Harris in Bellator 149 in Houston, but he tested positive for the steroid nandrolone after the fight, per Steven Marrocco of MMAjunkie.

Thompson, meanwhile, is coming off consecutive TKO losses to Tsuyoshi Kosaka and former wrestling world champion Bobby Lashley in a monthlong span to close out 2015. This will be his first fight since his loss to Kosaka on Dec. 29.

This is a rematch that's been highly anticipated because of the controversial finish last time out, but much has changed since. These two fighters are much older, and that draws concern.

Slice's fight with Dada 5000 was one of the worst MMA fights in recent memory, as both fighters looked out of shape, and it resulted in a very serious situation with Dada 5000 suffering a heart attack inside the Octagon at the end.

Hopefully these two are well-conditioned heading into July and can put on a safe, quality rematch.