Bellator 280

Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2
Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2
	The poster for Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2
Information
Promotion	Bellator MMA
Date	May 6, 2022
Venue	AccorHotels Arena
City	Paris, France
Event chronology

Bellator 280: Bader vs. Kongo 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on May 6, 2022, at AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Background

After successfully defending his Bellator Heavyweight Title over interim champion Valentin Moldavsky, Ryan Bader made a quick turnaround and faced Cheick Kongo in his second defense in a rematch from their 2019 title bout at Bellator 226. That bout ended due to an accidental poke to Kongo's left eye in the opening round, resulting in a no contest.^[4]

A featherweight bout between Pedro Carvalho and Khasan Askhabov was scheduled for this event.^[5] However, due to undisclosed reasons, Askhabov was forced to pull out and was replaced by promotional newcomer Piotr Niedzielski.^[6]

A bout between Melvin Manhoef and Yoel Romero was scheduled to be the co-main event.^[7] However, Manhoef withdrew from the bout due to a hand injury while stopping burglars and was replaced by Alex Polizzi.^[8]

A middleweight bout between Lorenz Larkin and Khalid Murtazaliev was scheduled for this event.^[9] However at the end of March, Murtazaliev pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Anthony Adams.^[10] Adams in turn pulled out as well and was replaced by UFC vet Kyle Stewart.^[11]

A heavyweight bout between Davion Franklin and Daniel James was planned for the event.^[12] However, James failed an out of competition drug test and was pulled from the bout.^[13]

A lightweight bout between Søren Bak and Saul Rogers was scheduled for this event.^[14] Due to Rogers pulling out of the bout on two weeks notice, Bak was rescheduled against Charlie Leary in a 160 pound catchweight bout.^[11]

A welterweight bout between Nicolò Solli and Joël Kouadja was scheduled for the event. However, the French Athletics Federation scrapped the initial bout and Kouadja's replacement, Levy Carriel, tested positive for COVID-19 five days before the event.^[15]

Results

Main Card (Showtime)
Weight class				Method	Round	Time	Notes
Heavyweight	Ryan Bader (c)	def.	Cheick Kongo	Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 50–45, 50–45)	5	5:00	^[a]
Light Heavyweight	Yoel Romero	def.	Alex Polizzi	TKO (punches)	3	4:59
Lightweight	Davy Gallon	def.	Benjamin Brander	TKO (punches and elbows)	2	3:18
Middleweight	Lorenz Larkin	def.	Kyle Stewart	TKO (knees and punches)	1	4:44
Middleweight	Gregory Babene	def.	Mike Shipman	KO (punches)	1	2:11
Preliminary card (Youtube/Pluto TV)
Featherweight	Piotr Niedzielski	def.	Pedro Carvalho	Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)	3	5:00
Welterweight	Thibault Gouti	def.	Lewis Long	Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)	3	5:00
Featherweight	Jordan Barton	def.	Fabacary Diatta	Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)	3	5:00
Catchweight (160 lb)	Søren Bak	def.	Charlie Leary	Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 29–28)	3	5:00
Lightweight	Yves Landu	def.	Gavin Hughes	TKO (knees and body kick)	1	3:01
Women's Flyweight	Lucie Bertaud	def.	Katarzyna Sadura	Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)	3	5:00
Middleweight	Youcef Ouabbas	def.	Matthieu Duclos	TKO (punches)	1	4:17
Welterweight	Bourama Camara	def.	Victor Verchere	KO (punches)	1	3:06