'Queen of Skrap Pack,' Keri Melendez, pro MMA debut against Sheila Padilla set for Bellator 165

Bellator 165: "Chandler vs. Henderson" comes to SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Nov. 19, 2016. The headlining fight that night on Spike TV will see Lightweight champion "Iron" Michael Chandler go one-on-one with former World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Lightweight champion "Smooth" Benson Henderson.

Also announced for the main card that night is experienced kickboxer Keri Anne Taylor-Melendez, who will be taking her first professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fight against Sheila Padilla (2-0). The "Queen of the Skrap Pack" -- and wife of famed Lightweight fighter Gilbert Melendez -- has long been expected to jump into the fray in the Flyweight division since she was signed last June,; however, her Bellator appearances so far have been kickboxing bouts with one-sided dominant performances.

Another fight joining the card that night on the "Prelims" undercard pits two undefeated Lightweights head-to-head as Carrington Banks (5-0) faces Jake Roberts (7-0). Though he may have a name that suggests he'd hail from a soap opera, the only drama for "Jetsetter" Banks is the look on the faces of his opponents, including a very successful debut against C.J. Keith at Bellator 156. Not to be confused with the WWE wrestler called "The Snake," Roberts has been quietly earning his reputation as "The North County Nightmare" with win after win, including a recent win by TKO against Stephen Martinez.

Check out the complete Bellator 165 fight card is below.

Bellator 165 "Chandler vs. Henderson" Card (Spike TV):

Lightweight: Michael Chandler (15-3) vs. Benson Henderson (24-6)
Welterweight: Michael Page (11-0) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (25-13)
Light Heavyweight: Linton Vassell (16-5) vs. Francis Carmont (25-11)
Lightweight: Adam Piccolotti (8-0) vs. Brandon Girtz (14-4)
Flyweight: Keri-Anne Taylor-Melendez (Debut) vs. Sheila Padilla (2-0)

Bellator 165 "Prelims" Card (Spike.com):

Lightweight: Carrington Banks (5-0) vs. Jake Roberts (7-0)
Middleweight: Diego Herzog (3-2) vs. Nick Pica (5-0)
Bantamweight: Gabe Carrasco (7-0) vs. Rolando Velasco (10-4)
Welterweight: James Terry (17-9) vs. Justin Baesman (19-10-1)
Featherweight: Jose Perez (2-1) vs. J.T. Donaldson (2-1)
Lightweight: J.J. Okanovich (2-1) vs. Luis Vargas (Debut)
Lightweight: Hugo Lujan (0-1) vs. Cesar Gonzalez (Debut)
Welterweight "VOW": Dominic Sumer (Debut) vs. Justin Roswell (1-0)
Welterweight: Danasabe Mohammed (5-0) vs. Dwight Grant (6-1)
Flyweight: Sarah D'Alelio (10-6) vs. Jaimelene Nievera (4-1)

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