Bellator’s first show in the 10th season will feature the return of UFC and WEC veteran Diego Nunes.

Following a disappointing promotional debut last September, Nunes returns to the cage at Bellator 110 against Matt Bessette on Feb. 28. Bessette announced the bout on his Twitter, and Nunes confirmed the match-up to MMAFighting.com.

"I’ve signed the contract two weeks ago," Nunes said. "It will be the opening round of the next tournament."

Released from the UFC with a 3-3 record inside the Octagon, Nunes (18-5) was finished for the first time in his professional career in a 79-second knockout loss to two-time tournament winner Patricio Freire, marking the first time he suffered back-to-back losses in his 10-year MMA career.

Bessette (12-4) enters the featherweight tournament for the first time after three victories under the Bellator banner. "The Mangler" scored decision victories over Saul Almeida and Paul Barrow in his first couple fights at Bellator, and knocked out Nick Piedmont last September.

"He’s coming off wins, hungry to build his name with a win over me," Nunes told MMAFighting.com. "The time and date are perfect. I’m looking forward to get in there and fight him."

Bellator 110 will be headlined by two light heavyweight tournament match-ups, featuring Rampage Jackson vs. Christian M’Pumbu as the headliner, and King Mo Lawal vs. Mikhail Zayats in the co-main event.