Bellator MMA returned to Paris, France on Friday night, with Cheick Kongo finally getting his rematch against Ryan Bader.
Bellator 280 was a chance for Kongo to not only finally, after two decades in the sport, claim gold in a major promotion, but to do so at home in France — just his second time competing in his home country, with France legalizing MMA just a few years ago. Of course, Ryan Bader would have something to say about that, but either way, we’d finally get an end to the saga, after the pair’s 2019 meeting ended in a No Contest due to an accidental eye poke.
In the co-main event, former multi-time UFC title challenger Yoel Romero remained in search of his first win under the Bellator banner. With Melvin Manhoef out due to injury, Alex Polizzi was stepping up on short notice to face “The Soldier of God.”
Bellator 280 takes place Friday, April 6, 2022 at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris France. The full preliminary card streams live above. Full results can be found below. Where available, the Bellator 280 main card live stream can also be viewed below. The prelims kick off at 1PM ET, followed by the main card starting at 4PM.
Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2 Results
Main Card
Ryan Bader (c) def. Cheick Kongo by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – for the Bellator MMA heavyweight championship
Yoel Romero def. Alex Polizzi by TKO, Round 3, 4:59
Davy Gallon def. Benjamin Brander by TKO, Round 2, 3:18
Lorenz Larkin def. Kyle Stewart by TKO, Round 1, 4:44
Gregory Babene def. Mike Shipman by knockout, Round 1, 2:11
Preliminary Card
Piotr Niedzielski def. Pedro Carvalho by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Thibault Gouti def. Lewis Long by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jordan Barton def. Fabacary Diatta by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Soren Bak def. Charlie Leary by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Yves Landu def. Gavin Hughes by TKO (body kick/punches), Round 1, 3:01
Lucie Bertaud def. Katarzyna Sadura by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Youcef Ouabbas def. Matthieu Duclos by TKO, Round 1, 4:17
Bourama Camara def. Victor Verchere by knockout, Round 1, 3:06
