Bellator 257: When to watch, stream, and fight card details (UPDATED)
This Friday Bellator 257 will cap off a three-week stretch of events as their Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix tournament continues on, and will feature a title fight of the 205-pound title when the champion Vadim Nemkov is in action.
The card will feature two fights in the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix, a highly competitive welterweight matchup, and former featherweight title challenger Pedro Carvalho returning to action, as well as former women's featherweight champion Julia Budd in action as well.
Read More: Inaugural Bellator MMA rankings unveiled
How to watch Bellator 257 prelims and main card
- The Bellator 257 prelims will begin at 6:00 pm EST and will stream live on the Bellator MMA YouTube channel.
- The Bellator 257 main card begins at 9:00 pm EST on SHOWTIME.
- Viewers who have not yet subscribed to SHOWTIME can take advantage of an exclusive offer from Bellator MMA to get it at a reduced price.
Bellator 257 fight card
Here is the complete fight card for Bellator 257 in order which has been confirmed by Bellator MMA.
MAIN CARD:
Vadim Nemkov vs Phil Davis
Corey Anderson vs Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
Paul Daley vs Sabah Homasi
PRELIMS:
Julius Anglickas vs Gregory Milliard
Julia Budd vs Dayana Silva
Grachik Bozinyan vs Demarques Jackson
Raymond Daniels vs Peter Stanonik
Karl Albrektsson vs Viktor Nemkov
Pedro Carvalho vs Jay Jay Wilson
Lance Gibson Jr vs Marcus Surin
John de Jesus vs Alfred Khashakyan**Canceled
Bellator 257: Key fights
Vadim Nemkov vs Phil Davis
In the main event of Bellator 257, newly-crowned champion Vadim Nemkov will put his title on the line for his first title defense as he faces Phil Davis in a rematch of their 2018 fight which saw Nemkov win by split decision. Nemkov won the light heavyweight title when he defeated the former champion, Bader, by second-round TKO in August of 2020 at Bellator 244.
The winner of Nemkov vs Davis will be crowned the champion as the Grand Prix continues and will await the winner of Yoel Romero vs Anthony "Rumble" Johnson.
PREDICTION: Vadim Nemkov def. Phil Davis by unanimous decision
Corey Anderson vs Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
Last week at Bellator 256, the Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix began and saw former champion Ryan Bader dominate Lyoto Machida by unanimous decision, and now there will be two bouts in the tournament on Friday. In the co-main event of Bellator 257 former UFC contender Corey Anderson makes his second appearance under the Bellator promotion when he welcomes newcomer Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, the winner of this fight will advance on to take on Ryan Bader in the semi-finals.
PREDICTION: Corey Anderson def. Dovletdzhan Yashimuradov by TKO in Round 2
Sabah Homasi vs Paul Daley
The main card of Bellator 257 will also feature Sabah Homasi vs Paul Daley, with this being the third time that the promotion has looked to book a fight between the two. The first fight was canceled after Homasi had to withdraw due to an injury back in October of 2019, and then the second attempt was booked for Bellator 241 in March of 2020, but that fight was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down events.
Paul Daley has flirted with retirement as of late, following a missed weight cut for a fight against Derek Anderson last October which caused him to be hospitalized. Daley has not made mention of possible retirement, but he will look to step inside the Bellator cage for the first time since October of 2019 when he defeated Saad Awad by TKO. The eight-ranked Homasi will enter this fight on a four-fight winning streak, with his most recent win coming against Bobby Voelker at Bellator 250 last October.
PREDICTION: Sabah Homas def. Paul Daley by KO in Round 1
Julia Budd vs Dayana Silva
Former featherweight champion Julia Budd believes she can get back her loss to Cris Cyborg and the veteran will look for her second consecutive win when she faces Dayana Silva this Friday. Budd lost her title to Cyborg at Bellator 238 in January of 2020 but rebounded nicely with a unanimous decision victory over Jessy Miele at Bellator 244.
Budd currently sits as the No. 1 contender in the division rankings, but with an impressive showing by Cat Zingano at Bellator 256, the former champion will have to make a strong statement to earn the next title shot.
PREDICTION: Julia Budd def. Dayana Silva by unanimous decision
Pedro Carvalho vs Jay Jay Wilson
For the first time since his first-round loss to champion Patricio Pitbull at Bellator 252, Pedro Carvalho returns and has a very tough matchup in undefeated opponent Jay Jay Wilson. Before his loss to Pitbull, Carvalho had been on a six-fight winning streak, with no losses inside the Bellator cage, cementing himself as a top contender.
With the loss and introduction of the Bellator MMA rankings, Carvalho finds himself ranked fourth in the division while Wilson is ranked seventh. With the featherweight World Grand Prix coming close to an end, the matchup between Carvalho and Wilson could lead to a future title fight sooner than later.
PREDICTION: Pedro Carvalho def. Jay Jay Wilson by split decision
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