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.
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.
Timothy Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky
Timothy Johnson
Johnson’s three-fight Bellator winning streak at heavyweight is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind Moldavsky (five) and Steve Mowry (five).
Johnson has earned 11 of his 15 career victories by stoppage. That includes two of his three Bellator wins.
Valentin Moldavsky
Moldavsky’s five-fight Bellator winning streak at heavyweight is tied with Mowry for the longest active streak in the division.
Moldavsky has earned four of his five Bellator victories by decision.
Liz Carmouche vs. Kana Watanabe
Liz Carmouche
Liz Carmouche (15-7 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) is 4-2 since she dropped to the women’s flyweight division in December 2017.
Carmouche became the first female fighter in UFC history to enter the octagon at UFC 157 in February 2013.
Carmouche challenged for the UFC women’s bantamweight and flyweight titles during her tenure with the promotion.
Daniel Weichel vs. Keoni Diggs
Daniel Weichel
Daniel Weichel (40-12 MMA, 9-4 BMMA) is 1-1 since he returned to the Bellator featherweight division in September 2019.
Myles Jury vs. Sidney Outlaw
Myles Jury
Myles Jury (19-5 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) is 2-1 since he returned to the lightweight division in September 2019.
Jury has earned both of his Bellator victories by decision.