UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator makes its return Friday as does the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix.
In the main event, the 205-pound title will be on the line when Vadim Nemkov (12-2 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) takes on Phil Davis (22-5 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) in a rematch of their three-round fight in November 2018. The fight doubles as a grand prix quarterfinal, which is one of two tournament bouts atop the card.
In the co-main event, former UFC contender Corey Anderson (14-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) battles promotional newcomer Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov (18-5-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).
The most heated faceoff occurred, however, between Paul Daley (42-17-2 MMA, 8-4 BMMA) and Sabah Homasi (15-8 MMA, 4-2 BMMA), who have engaged in a feud that dates back over a year. Though they’ve been booked multiple times against one another, the fight has never come to fruition. The rivalry stems from a past altercation in a hotel lobby that involved Homasi’s teammate Dustin Poirier.
Bellator 257 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The entire card will be live and free on MMA Junkie.
Following Thursday’s official Bellator 257 weigh-ins, the athletes came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.
Check out the faceoffs below, including Nemkov vs. Davis 2, Anderson vs. Yagshimuradov, Daley vs. Homasi, Julia Budd vs. Dayana Silva, Raymond Daniels vs. Peter Stanonik 2, and more.
