Bellator’s first card of the new year, the Pheonix-based Bellator 273, continues to grow.
On Tuesday, Bellator officials announced multiple additions to the January 29, 2022 card. Among the new fights revealed are Benson Henderson (28-11) vs. Islam Mamedov (20-1-1) at lightweight, and a light heavyweight affair featuring Ben “Big Tuna” Parrish (5-1) taking on Sullivan Cauley (2-0).
Henderson, a former UFC lightweight champion, has lost three straight, after compiling a four-fight unbeaten streak in Bellator’s lightweight division starting in 2018. After staying unbeaten in 2019, things began to fall apart for “Smooth” the following year.
Mamedov will enter the fight off a split decision victory over ex-lightweight champ Brent Primus in July. The Dagestani fighter has not suffered a loss since his one and only defeat back in 2009. The 32-year old previously competed for the PFL.
Parrish landed in the spotlight earlier this year thanks to his shocking win over the previously undefeated Christian Edwards, a training partner of Jon Jones. “Big Tuna” has finished all five of his pro wins. He gets another undefeated prospect this time out in Arizona’s own Cauley, who trains alongside Ryan Bader.
Also announced Tuesday, Dalton Rosta (5-0) will face Romero Cotton (5-0) in a battle of undefeated middleweight prospects. That fight was first reported by MMA Junkie earlier this month. Longtime Bellator vet Saad Awad (24-13, 1NC) returns to action against Chris Gonzalez (6-1), Henry Corrales (19-6) faces Aiden Lee (10-5), and Sabah Homasi (15-10) meets Jaleel Willis (15-3).
Bellator 273 takes place January 29, 2022 at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Ryan Bader and Valentin Moldavsky will unify the heavyweight championship in the main event. The card airs live on SHOWTIME in the U.S., following online prelims on Cageside Press, Youtube, and other outlets.
The following fights have been announced for the card thus far:
Ryan Bader (c) vs. Valentin Moldavsky (ic) – Bellator MMA heavyweight championship unification bout
Benson Henderson vs. Islam Mamedov
Henry Corrales vs. Aiden Lee
Sabah Homasi vs. Jaleel Willis
Darrion Caldwell vs. Enrique Barzola
Saad Awad vs. Chris Gonzalez
Romero Cotton vs. Dalton Rosta
Sullivan Cauley vs. Ben Parrish
