Bellator returns on Friday with Bellator 261 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., with a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie. A historic fight is featured in the main event. With heavyweight champion Ryan Bader tied up with the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix, the company will implement an interim title for the first time at heavyweight. Timothy Johnson (15-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) and Valentin Moldavsky (10-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) will clash for that belt, with the winner set up to unify with Bader when he becomes available. For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 10 pre-event facts about Bellator 261.
Ahead of Bellator 261 title fight, Timothy Johnson reflects on skid that nearly ended his career
June 18, 2021
Grand prix pulled Ryan Bader away from heavyweight, but he has no plans to vacate title
April 7, 2021
With champ Ryan Bader busy, Timothy Johnson suggests interim Bellator heavyweight title fight
February 22, 2021
MMA Junkie’s 2020 ‘Upset of the Year’: Shana Dobson has biggest UFC underdog win in five years
January 7, 2021
Timothy Johnson eyes Bellator heavyweight title shot: ‘I think I’ve done enough to earn it’
October 12, 2020
Bellator Europe 10 results: Timothy Johnson edges Cheick Kongo in Paris, wants title shot
October 10, 2020
Bellator Paris live stream and official results
October 10, 2020
Bellator Paris live stream and official results (11:30 a.m. ET)
October 10, 2020
Timothy Johnson admits ‘it’s gonna be pretty easy to do better’ in Cheick Kongo rematch
October 9, 2020
Bellator 248 and Bellator Europe 10 weigh-in results: All fighters on weight ahead of historic event
October 9, 2020
Bellator 248 and Bellator Europe 10 weigh-in results
October 9, 2020
Cheick Kongo to fight on Bellator’s first event in France, rematch Timothy Johnson
September 11, 2020
Timothy Johnson wants to make title run, lose journeyman label following Bellator 243 win
August 8, 2020
Matt Mitrione on foe Timothy Johnson: ‘He doesn’t look like a quality fighter, but he is’
August 6, 2020