Bellator MMA will return to South Dakota this August, with Bellator 284 announced for the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. on Friday, August 12, 2022.
The promotion’s only scheduled date in August will be headlined by welterweight action, as Neiman Gracie (11-3), ranked #5 in the weight class, takes on fellow Brazilian Goiti Yamauchi (27-5).
Bellator officials announced the news in a press release on Wednesday. A number of other fights were also unveiled for the event, including heavyweight action, and the return of former women’s flyweight champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane.
In the heavyweight division, former interim champion Valentin Moldavsky (11-2) will face the undefeated, No. 5-ranked Steve Mowry (10-0) in what is unquestionably Mowry’s toughest test to date. The fight is the first for “Tall” Steve since signing a new, multi-fight deal with the organization.
Currently ranked #4 in the women’s flyweight division, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-2) will be looking to snap a two-fight skid when she takes on Brazil’s Bruna Ellen (6-3). Macfarlane returned to action after an extended hiatus back in April, only to come up short at home in Hawaii against former UFC athlete Justine Kish.
In addition to those main card match-ups, a single preliminary card fight was announced on Wednesday for August’s Bellator 284. That will see featherweight Weber “The Silverback” Almeida (6-1) go up against France’s Ilias “The Blade” Bulaid (3-0).
