Bellator 281 is taking place this week, and in the company’s return to London, here is some information you must know. Friday 13th of May will see Bellator come to the SSE Arena. With a card in the UK, that can only mean one thing. UK fighters.
I’m going to run you through the fight card, where to watch, and what time you can watch.
Fight Card
Being in London sets the stage for the many UK and Irish talents to showcase their abilities in front of a familiar crowd. This will be the full card (subject to change). Fighters in bold will be representing the UK or Ireland.
An eight-fight prelim card and a five-fight main. The bouts are as follows
Preliminary Card
Women’s Strawweight Chiara Pencil vs Lanchana Green
Light Heavyweight Lee Chadwick vs Maciej Różański
Middleweight Charlie Ward vs Alan Carlos
Featherweight Andrew Fisher vs Attila Korkmaz
Lightweight Alfie Davis vs Tim Wilde
Women’s Flyweight Kate Jackson vs Elina Kallionidou
Welterweight Oliver Enkamp vs Mark Lemminger
Featherweight Daniel Weichel vs Robert Whiteford
Main Card
Light Heavyweight Luke Trainer vs Simon Biyong
Welterweight Paul Daley vs Wendell Giácomo
Women’s Flyweight Denise Kielholtz vs Kana Wattabe
Co-Main Event: Light Heavyweight Lyoto Machida vs Fabian Edwards
Main Event Interim: Welterweight Championship Michael “Venom” Page vs Logan Storley
Fighters to Watch
There is plenty to watch and enjoy with a stacked main card come Bellator 281. With MMA legend Lyoto Machida competing. Fans who are unfamiliar with the Brazilian are in for a treat. On the other side of the match-up, this could be a massive name on their resume for Fabian Edwards. Expect fireworks. With Fabian looking to take the scalp of an all-time great, Lyoto will be hoping to roll back the years and pull out another trademark finish for “The Dragon”.
The main event is obviously in that spot for a reason. Michael Page is one of the most entertaining and dynamic strikers in the whole sport. Fighting to gain his first piece of Bellator silverware, his opponent is no joke. A classic wrestler versus striker. MVP will be looking to show his improvements in the grappling department and put the sword to Storley on the feet.
This event will see the last time Paul Daley makes that walk to the cage. With 63 fights, “Semtex” has seen it all. Calling it a day, Daley will be looking to go out with a bang and provide the fans with another classic “Semtex” KO finish. His opponent has been called in on short notice and will be looking for the upset on hostile territory.
Where and When to Watch
UK fans can watch all of Bellator 281 via the BBC iPlayer, or for those just interested in the main card, that will be available on BBC Three as well. Prelims start at 6 pm, and the main card will begin 3 hours later at 9 pm. For those of you who can’t watch live, the event is watchable on-demand on BBC iPlayer.
Why You Should Watch
This event is stacked. Blending both new and old, you can see some MMA legends fight in the UK for what might be the last time. With a whole prelim card full of talents who have something to prove and a home crowd cheering them on, you should expect big things.
A world-class main event, MVP vs Logan Storley is as intriguing a match-up as any. A potential crazy night of fights you’d be missing out on if you didn’t tune in. Many Brits are hoping this is their coming out party. You best be there to celebrate.
What fight are you looking forward to most?
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Featured image credits to Bellator MMA
