Bellator is back – and the first four shows of the 2021 schedule is already mapped out.
While the first three cards are the year feature grand prix fights of the featherweight and light heavyweight variations, Bellator 258 on May 7 will be headlined by a bantamweight title fight between champion Juan Archuleta and challenger Sergio Pettis.
At a news conference Tuesday, Bellator president Scott Coker announced the promotion’s first four events of the year. All four cards are scheduled to take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
At Bellator 246 in September, Archuleta (25-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) won the vacant bantamweight title in August when he defeated Patchy Mix via unanimous decision. Archuleta has only lost once since 2015 – a unanimous decision defeat to Bellator double champion Patricio Freire. He enters Bellator 258 on a two-fight winning streak.
Since joining Bellator, Pettis (20-5 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) has won back-to-back fights. In his promotional debut in January 2020, Pettis brutalized and finished Alfred Khashakyan. His sophomore promotional outing was his first Bellator main event. At Bellator 242 in July, Pettis defeated Ricky Bandejas by unanimous decision.
No other fights have been announced for Bellator 258 at this time.
