The event saw Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald move up to the middleweight division to challenge Bellator middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi for the Bellator middleweight title. MacDonald was attempting to become the second multi-division champion in Bellator history, after former Bellator bantamweight and featherweight champion Joe Warren. In addition, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson met rival and former PRIDE FC middleweight champion Wanderlei Silva for the fourth time in their respective careers. Going into this fight, Silva held a 2-1 advantage in the series.

Bellator 188: Lahat vs. Labiano took place on November 16, 2017 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel. The event aired on Spike TV. The main event featured a match between Noad Lahat and Jeremiah Labiano. The card also featured Dutch kickboxing standout Denise Kielholtz's second MMA fight.