Tag: Bellator 251

Corey Anderson vs. Melvin Manhoef headlines Bellator 251 on Nov. 5

Corey Anderson will encounter a clash of styles in his Bellator debut when he takes on decorated striker Melvin Manhoef.

[autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] will encounter a clash of styles in his Bellator debut when he takes on decorated striker [autotag]Melvin Manhoef[/autotag].

After Anderson (13-4 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was granted his UFC release, he signed with Bellator to joined what company president Scott Coker has touted as the top light heavyweight division in MMA. He now draws his first matchup, and it’s against a longtime veteran of the sport in Manhoef (32-14-1 MMA, 4-3 BMMA).

MMA Junkie verified the booking with a Bellator official following an initial report from CBS Sports Network.

The fight will take place at Bellator 251 on Nov. 5. The event goes down at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and will air on CBS Sports Network.

Anderson most recently competed in February, suffering a first-round knockout loss to now-UFC champ Jan Blachowicz. He’d won four-straight prior, including notable wins over Jonny Walker and Glover Teixeira.

Manhoef will the test to see how Anderson’s skill translate to the Bellator cage. The 44-year-old former kickboxing standout has won his past two fights, including a first-round knockout of Yannick Bahati at Bellator 230 in October 2019.

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Aaron Pico targeted for Nov. 12 return vs. John DeJesus at Bellator 251

Aaron Pico is ready to keep his career moving in the right direction.

[autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag] is ready keep things moving in the right direction.

Pico, the highly touted prospect, is targeting a Nov. 12 return to the cage against [autotag]John DeJesus[/autotag] at Bellator 251. A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the news to MMA Junkie following an initial report from ESPN stated both sides have verbally agreed. The person requested anonymity since the promotion has yet to announce the bout, which will be contested at featherweight.

Bellator 251 will take place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., with a main card that airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.

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After losing back-to-back fights in 2019 by knockout, Pico (6-3 MMA, 6-3 BMMA) has turned things around in 2020. His resurgence, which consists of knockout and submission wins over Daniel Carey and Chris Hatley, respectively, coincides with a move to Jackson Wink MMA. Pico, 24, began training at the famed Albuquerque, N.M., gym late last year after starting out with Team BodyShop in Southern California.

In DeJesus (13-8 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), Pico faces a fighter who’s won three in a row. That includes DeJesus’ Bellator debut in August at Bellator 244, a unanimous decision against Vladyslav Parubchenko.

With the addition, the Bellator 251 lineup includes:

  • Patricio Freire vs. Pedro Carvalho – for featherweight title
  • John DeJesus vs. Aaron Pico

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