Bellator MMA returns to action this April, with a full slate of events planned. The second event of the month, Bellator 256 on April 9, continues to grow, with the latest addition being a middleweight banger.
On Friday, sources close to the situation informed Cageside Press that the undefeated Dalton Rosta (4-0) has been lined up to take on Tony Johnson (9-2) at the event.
“Hercules,” as Rosta is otherwise known as, trains at American Top Team and has become one of the top 185 pound prospects in the world. Having recently signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator MMA, Rosta has made no secret of his wish to climb the ranks and hold gold in the future.
Rosta made the most of 202 despite the pandemic complicating the year. He competed twice in the Mohegan Sun Arena, where Bellator set up shop, going 2-0. The 25 year old finished Mark Gardener (via doctor’s stoppage) and took a decision victory over the formerly undefeated Ty Gwerder.
Tony Johnson on the other hand did not compete at all in 2020. Johnson was last in the cage in his Bellator return, defeating Joe Schilling via KO back in 2019. Johnson has rattled off five victories in a row, including his Dana White’s Contender Series appearance in 2019. Johnson trains at American Kickboxing Academy with the likes of Daniel Cormer, Khabib Nurmagomedov other elite level fighters. At 37, the AKA fighter is 12 years older than his counterpart at Bellator 256.
Bellator 256 takes place Friday, April 9 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The event is headlined by a light heavyweight grand prix bout that sees Ryan Bader and Lyoto Machida collide for the second time.
