Bellator Fighting Championships featherweight titleholder Joe Warren will defend his belt March 9 against Season 5 tournament winner Pat Curran, the promotion announced Thursday. The bout will take place in Hammond, Ind. (8 p.m. ET, MTV2).

Curran, a resident of Island Lake, Ill., is 16-4, with each of his three most recent victories coming in the Bellator Season 5 featherweight tournament. He knocked out highly touted Marlon Sandro in the first round Aug. 20 to claim the tournament title.

Still riding the momentum of his tournament success, Curran is confident heading into the title bout with Warren.

"Everything is falling into place right now," Curran said. "My hometown is really close to where I'm fighting and I know I'll have the support of my family and friends.

"This is something that is meant to be."

Warren (7-2) will look to get back in the win column when he meets Curran. The Denver resident was knocked out in the first round on by Alexis Vila in a Sept. 24 non-title bout.

"Even though he's coming off a loss, he's a very dangerous opponent," Curran said. "(Warren) is a very strong wrestler who's going to try to close the distance and work the clinch against me."