The best spring schedule in Bellator MMA history
- Rhys Lawrence
- Feb 3, 2022
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 11, 2023
By Rhys Lawrence
“Where It Began” – Feb 25
It begins today at Bellator 275, where fans will witness a MMA veteran with a truly historic yet underappreciated career in Gegard Mousasi, attempt to make another successful defence of his 185lb belt, against the undefeated Austin Vanderford.
Mousasi who competed in the UFC from 2013-2017, has seen his name immersed amongst some of the most elite level martial artists, during his time in various promotions around the world.
His career turns 20 years strong next year which truly is a remarkable achievement in a sport like MMA, especially one that’s seen such highs and lows. Gegard the Vegas favourite, will look to impose his incredible striking abilities on his opponent Austin, who up until now, may have never seen anything quite like “The Dreamcatcher”.
Austin Vanderford, AKA the husband of Bare knuckle FC fighter and model Paige VanZant, looks to remove himself of that unwanted title and achieve his own tomorrow night against Mousasi.
However, even with winning all of his 11 bouts as a professional, Austin now faces the most challenging and experienced opponent he’s seen in his short career.
This main event is truly in every sense of the word spectacular with both fighters bringing exciting styles and personalities to the octagon.
It’s also a fight that can genuinely be compared to Bellator MMA most competitive rival, the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) in terms of reflecting where the company is, and how their talent directly matches up with the likes of the UFC middleweight champion, Israel “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya.
So, we kick off this self-proclaimed best schedule with an absolute banger and highly skilled contest between the two best 185ers in Bellator…but what’s the afters?
Bellator 277: McKee vs Pitbull 2 – April 15
AJ McKee defeated Patricio Pitbull last summer in a drama filled contest albeit it being stopped early as McKee submitted Pitbull via guillotine choke in the first round.
Their highly anticipated rematch goes down in just over 6 weeks with fight camps underway and media build-up to follow. McKee who sits currently as the no.1 pound for pound Bellator fighter and Pitbull 3rd, showcases the level these two are fighting at and the respect the fight deserves, which has been acknowledged within the MMA community as many are touting the fighters, as the two best featherweights across all promotions including the UFC.
With that in mind, Patricio looks to exact his revenge against the current champion who stole away his belt that he held previously in a dominating 4 year stretch.
Number 3 pound for pound is Vadim Nemkov, the current 205lb champion due to his win back in 2020, where he defeated future MMA hall of famer Ryan Bader with a stunning head kick at Bellator 244.
Nemkov had two dominant title defences back in 2021 and will look to do the same this time out, adopting as always his primarily strike based fighting style, against former UFC light heavyweight and winner of all three Bellator fights thus far, Corey Anderson.
In his last fight with the UFC, Corey was on the losing side of a No.1 contender fight to face at the time light heavyweight champion Jon jones, but was defeated by the “Polish Power” of Jan Blachowicz.
Then, after his contract with the organisation concluded, Anderson chose Scott Coker (Bellator President) as his next employer.
These two title fights at Bellator 277 continue this impressive spring schedule for the promotion and with the full card yet to be released, we could be in for more exciting matchups.
Bellator Paris & London – May 6 & 13
Two shows, back to back, in major European countries capitals Paris and London that closes out an incredible spring showdown of Bellator MMA action…what could be better?
Let’s begin with May 6, where former light heavyweight now heavyweight champion Ryan Bader, will defend his recently acquired title against the ever popular and home fighter Cheick Kongo.
A matchup with a combined age of 84, and 18 losses between them would make you question the appeal of the fight. However, Ryan Bader being an all time great within professional mixed martial arts, and a two weight divisional champion with a title reign ongoing, shows he is still operating at the highest level.
His 46 year old opponent Cheick Kongo, a legend in French MMA, who’s also fought in some of the biggest promotions across the world most notably in the UFC and Bellator, with many wins during that time.
Kongo has always been a fan favourite especially in his home city of Paris, but he now has the opportunity to become beloved by all within his nation, if he can go one step further and become the first French born undisputed world champion in MMA.
Following the countries disappointment when UFC heavyweight Cyril Gane, failed to capture gold in his world title fight against Francis Ngannou in January, there could well be extra pressure being felt by Kongo to get his hand raised come May 6, with much anticipation and tension felt by his fanbase desperate for a French champion.
This matchup will be a runback of their first encounter in 2019, which was stopped prematurely by an accidental eye poke, resulting in a no contest. The grudge match and settler for these old heads of Bellator will commence one week before the promotions final and epic showdown this spring, a train ride away in in London.
Bellator MMA’s blockbuster spring schedule concludes on May 13 with the welterweight championship on the line as undefeated champion Yaroslav Amosov defends his belt, against UK phenomenon Michael “Venom” Page.
Amosov has been perfect so far in his professional career which culminated together in June of last year, where he defeated former champion Douglas Lima, who competes in the cards co-main event.
A dynamic fighter who’s strengths lie wherever the fight takes place, will prove to be an almost impossible challenge for any opponent facing the Ukrainian…however, no one quite confronts challenges and succeeds doing so like Michael Page who come May 13, will have 12,000 strong backing him to victory.
Page mirrors similarly to Amosov in terms of his record at 20-1, with his only loss being avenged against Douglas Lima who if successful in his co-main event, will have something to say you’d feel in his post fight interview, about whoever wins the headliner.
Page a rising star in MMA but already that in the U.K, was pictured recently with another fighter known globally and one similar to the Brit…”The Last Stylebender”.
The UFC middleweight champion seems impressed by Page and his fighting style/personality perhaps due to it mirroring his own in some ways. Many seem to feel the same way about Michael Page with the impressive attributes he possess and come May 13, he’ll need everyone of them and will require being near on perfect, to derail this dominant run from Amosov.
Bellator London is already becoming one of the best European cards seen in the promotions history with a fight of the year contender in Amosov vs Page, supported by Douglas Lima vs Jason Jackson and recently added MMA hall of famer Lyoto Machida who gives British prospect Fabian Edwards, a chance to steel the show in front of his home fans.
With other fights still to be announced this card is shaping up nicely and without doubt, will be an absolutely electric fight night in one of the best combat sports locations for atmosphere…the UK!
No mater the outcome for the British fighters on May 13, that night and every other night scheduled within this incredible spring showcase of Bellator MMA, will hopefully justify the buzz surrounding these upcoming events.
Bellator MMA in 2022 has put down a message that in previous years was perhaps lost.
A message saying they’re coming, scheduling fights like they have excite MMA fans but also make complete sense due to the venues they’ve selected.
If this level of talent, name brands and consistency continue for Bellator regarding their schedule, the argument for who had the better year come December, between them and their biggest rival who usually dominates (the UFC) will be a very interesting conversation.
However, it’s a conversation that needs to begin sooner rather than later, should Bellator MMA want to one day become the No.1 MMA organisation in the world.
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