Bellator 280 serves as the promotion’s return to Paris, France, and is slated to take place on May 6 in AccorHotels Arena. The event will be headlined by a heavyweight title rematch, as the reigning champion Ryan Bader takes on Cheick Kongo in a highly-anticipated rematch.
Main Event: Bellator Heavyweight Title Fight
Most recently, Bader successfully defended his heavyweight title against the interim titleholder Valentin Moldavsky at Bellator 273. Cheick Kongo is the next challenger to his throne, as the two of them meet in a rematch from their 2019 title bout at Bellator 226. That fight ended due to an accidental eye poke to Kongo in the opening round, resulting in a no contest.
Co-Main Event: Yoel Romero vs. Alex Polizzi
The Cuban fighter and former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero was originally scheduled to fight Melvin Manhoef, who withdrew from the but due to a hand injury he suffered while stopping burglars.
Romero is on a four-fight losing streak and is looking not only to bounce back but also to get his first win inside the Bellator cage.
Alex Polizzi steps in on eight days’ notice, but the former LFA champ will try to make the best out of this unexpected opportunity.
Rest of the Card
Lorenz Larkin, who’s riding a five-fight winning streak, will take on fellow UFC vet Kyle Stewart at middleweight.
The preliminary card will be headlined by former featherweight title challenger Pedro Carvalho squaring off against Piotr Niedzielski. Most recently, Carvalho defeated Daniel Weichel at Bellator 270 in Dublin. The Polish fighter is riding an eight-fight winning streak as he is making his promotional debut.
Soren Bak, who defeated Paddy Pimblett at Cage Warriors 96 and captured the lightweight title, will fight Charlie Leary.
Bellator 280 Results
Main Card (Showtime, 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT)
Ryan Bader def. Cheick Kongo via Unanimous Decision (50 – 45, 50 – 45, 50 -45) and defended the Bellator Heavyweight Title
Yoel Romero def. Alex Polizzi via TKO (Right uppercut) at 4:59 of Round 3
Davy Gallon def. Benjamin Brander via TKO (Elbows and punches) at 3:18 of Round 2
Lorenz Larkin def. Kyle Stewart via TKO (Knees to the body and punches) at 4:44 of Round 1
Gregory Babene def. Mike Shipman via KO (Right hook) at 2:11 of Round 1
Preliminary Card (YouTube, 1:00 PM ET/10:00 AM PT)
Piotr Niedzielski def. Pedro Carvalho via Splid Decision (29 – 28, 29 – 28, 29 – 28)
Thibault Gouti def. Lewis Long vs. via Unanimous Decision (30 – 27, 30 – 27, 30 – 27)
Jordan Barton def. Fabacary Diatta via Split Decision (29 – 28, 29 – 28, 29 – 28)
Søren Bak def. Charlie Leary via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30 – 27, 29 – 28)
Yves Landu def. Gavin Hughes via TKO (kick to the body) at 3:01 of Round 1
Lucie Bertaud def. Katarzyna Sadura via Unanimous Decision (29 – 28, 30 – 27, 30 – 27)
Youcef Ouabbas def. Matthieu Duclos via TKO (Punches) at 4:17 of Round 1
Bourama Camara def. Victor Verchere via KO (Punches) at 3:06 of Round 1
