Bellator MMA returned to action Friday with Bellator 256, kicking off it’s much-anticipated light heavyweight grand prix. And brought a rematch nine years in the making to do it with.
Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader first met inside the UFC octagon in 2012, and let’s just say things did not go Bader’s way. Since then, however, “Darth” Bader went on to become a double-champ in Bellator, holding both light heavyweight and heavyweight gold. While he lost the 205lb belt last year, he had a chance in front of him to reclaim his title, and win a second grand prix in the process. That journey began with Machida on Friday night.
Machida, meanwhile, is at a “been there, done that” point in his career. But the one thing he has not done is win a world grand prix. That would very likely be the icing on the cake of a career that included winning the UFC light heavyweight title — something that no other fighter in Bellator’s light heavyweight grand prix can claim.
Bellator 256 goes down Friday, airing live on Showtime. The preliminary card can be stream live and free above. As an added bonus, Canadian fans can watch the main card free below as well. Check below for full results throughout the night! An alternate prelim stream is also below.
Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2 Results
Main Card
Ryan Bader def. Lyoto Machida by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-45, 49-45) – Bellator light heavyweight grand prix quarterfinal
Liz Carmouche def. Vanessa Porto by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Adam Borics def. Adam Borics by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Cat Zingano def. Olivia Parker by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 2:56
Dan Moret def. Goiti Yamauchi by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Dalton Rosta def. Tony Johnson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Talita Nogueira def. Jessica Borga by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Jornel Lugo def. Cass Bell by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Law def. Nathan Ghareeb (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jaylon Bates def. Jeffrey Glossner submission (guillotine), Round 2, 1:27
Nainoa Dung def. Izzy William by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Diana Avsaragova def. Tara Graff by knockout, Round 1, 0:29
John Douma def. Will Smith by unanimous decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
