Bellator 257
{{short description|Bellator mixed martial arts event in 2021}}
{{Infobox MMA event
|name= Bellator 257: Nemkov vs. Davis 2
|image= Bellator257.jpg
|promotion= Bellator MMA
|date= {{start date|2021|04|16}}
|venue= Mohegan Sun Arena
|city= Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
|attendance=
|gate=
|previousevent= Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2
|followingevent= Bellator 258: Archuleta vs. Pettis
}}
Bellator 257: Nemkov vs. Davis 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on April 16, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Background
The event was headlined by two of the Quarterfinals of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament. The main event featured current Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion Vadim Nemkov making his first title defense against Phil Davis, a rematch of their November 2018 bout, which saw Nemkov win via split decision. The co-main event was to feature former UFC Middleweight Title contender Yoel Romero facing off against former UFC Light-Heavyweight Title contender Anthony Johnson in their debuts for the promotion.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2021/2/9/22275239/ryan-bader-lyoto-machida-nemkov-davis-grand-prix-matchup-headlines-bellator-april-mma|title=Bader vs Machida, Nemkov vs Davis first round matchups booked for Bellator Grand Prix in April|work=mmamania|author=Adam Guillen Jr.|date=2021-02-09|accessdate=2021-02-09}} However, on March 26, it was announced that the bout was moved to Bellator 258, with Corey Anderson vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov being moved from Bellator 256 to serve as the co-main for this event.{{cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Alexander K. |title=Anthony Johnson vs. Yoel Romero moved to Bellator 258 amid light heavyweight grand prix schedule shift |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/26/22352917/anthony-johnson-vs-yoel-romero-moved-bellator-258-amid-light-heavyweight-grand-prix-schedule-shift |website=MMA Fighting |access-date=26 March 2021 |language=en |date=26 March 2021}}
Aaron Pico was expected to face Aiden Lee at this event.{{cite web |last1=Morgan |first1=John |title=Aaron Pico targeted for return at Bellator 257 vs. England's Aiden Lee |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/bellator-257-aaron-pico-vs-aiden-lee-targeted |website=MMA Junkie |access-date=27 February 2021 |date=25 February 2021}} However, on April 4, Pico had to pull out of the bout due to medical issues. The fight is planned to be rebooked at a later date.{{cite web |title=Aaron Pico vs. Aiden Lee off Bellator 257; promotion eyes rebooking |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/mma-news-bellator-257-aaron-pico-vs-aiden-lee-off-medical-issues-rebooking |website=MMA Junkie |access-date=4 April 2021 |date=4 April 2021}}
A women's flyweight bout between Veta Arteaga and Desiree Yanez, which was originally scheduled for Bellator 250 in October, was rescheduled for this event.{{cite web |last1=King |first1=Nolan |title=Veta Arteaga and Desiree Yanez matched up again, will fight at Bellator 257 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/03/bellator-257-veta-arteaga-vs-desiree-yanez-women-mma-fight-booking-matchup |website=mmajunkie.usatoday.com |access-date=12 April 2021}}
A catchweight contest at 175 pounds between Paul Daley and Sabah Homasi served as the opening fight of the main card.{{cite web |last1=Martin |first1=Damon |title=Paul Daley vs. Sabah Homasi rebooked for third time at Bellator 257 in April |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/3/3/22310763/paul-daley-vs-sabah-homasi-rebooked-for-third-time-at-bellator-257-in-april |website=mmafighting.com |access-date=12 April 2021}}
At the weigh-ins, Jay Jay Wilson missed weight by .75 pounds and was fined a percentage of his purse.{{Cite web|date=2021-04-15|title=Bellator 257 weigh-in results: Grand prix fighters hit the mark; one other fighter misses weight again|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/04/bellator-257-vadim-nemkov-phil-davis-weigh-in-results|access-date=2021-04-15|website=MMA Junkie|language=en-US}}
Results
{{MMAevent}}
{{MMAevent card|Main Card (Showtime)}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|Vadim Nemkov (c)
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (48–47, 48–47, 48–47)
|5
|5:00
|Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament Quarter-Final bout for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|TKO (elbows and punches)
|3
|2:15
|Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament Quarter-Final bout.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Flyweight
|Veta Arteaga
|def.
|Desiree Yanez
|Decision (majority) (28–28, 29–27, 29–27)
|3
|5:00
|Arteaga was deducted a point in Round 2 due to knees to a downed Yanez.
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (175 lb)
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|2
|1:44
|
}}
{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (Youtube/Pluto TV)|header=no}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Women's Featherweight
|def.
|Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Gregory Milliard
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Heavyweight
|Steve Mowry
|def.
|Shaun Asher
|TKO (knee and punches)
|1
|0:55
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|Grachik Bozinyan
|def.
|Demarques Jackson
|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 29–28, 29–28)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Welterweight
|def.
|Peter Stanonik
|Decision (unanimous) (30–26, 30–27, 30–26)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Lightweight
|Lance Gibson Jr.
|def.
|Marcus Surin
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Light Heavyweight
|def.
|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)
|3
|5:00
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Featherweight
|def.
|Saul Rogers
|Submission (rear-naked choke)
|2
|4:08
|
}}
{{MMAevent bout
|Catchweight (146.75 lb)
|Jay-Jay Wilson
|def.
|TKO (punches)
|2
|0:53
|Wilson missed weight and was fined 20% of his purse.
}}
{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}
See also
{{Portal|Martial Arts}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Bellator Tournament Events}}
{{2021 in mixed martial arts}}
Category:Events in Uncasville, Connecticut
Category:2021 in mixed martial arts
Category:April 2021 sports events in the United States
Category:2021 in sports in Connecticut