Bellator 280

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.{{Cite web|title=Bellator MMA {{!}} BELLATOR MMA SET FOR RETURN TO PARIS ON FRIDAY, MAY 6 WITH MASSIVE HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOUT|url=https://www.bellator.com/article/Bader-Kongo-2-Set-for-may-6|access-date=2022-01-30|website=www.bellator.com|language=en-US}}

A featherweight bout between Pedro Carvalho and Khasan Askhabov was scheduled for this event.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-23 |title=Pedro Carvalho vs. Khasan Askhabov set for Bellator Paris on 6th May |url=http://severemma.com/2022/02/pedro-carvalho-vs-khasan-askhabov-set-for-bellator-paris-on-6th-may/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA |language=en-GB}} However, due to undisclosed reasons, Askhabov was forced to pull out and was replaced by promotional newcomer Piotr Niedzielski.{{Cite web |last=Andy Stevenson |date=2022-03-18 |title=Breaking: Pedro Carvalho vs Piotr Niedzielski Booked for Bellator 280 |url=https://mymmanews.com/pedro-carvalho-vs-piotr-niedzielski-booked-for-bellator-280/ |access-date=2022-03-18 |website=MyMMANews |language=en-US}}

A bout between Melvin Manhoef and Yoel Romero was scheduled to be the co-main event.{{Cite web|last=Lee|first=Alexander K.|date=2022-02-10|title=Yoel Romero vs. Melvin Manhoef announced for Bellator Paris co-main event|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/2/10/22927178/yoel-romero-vs-melvin-manhoef-announced-for-bellator-paris-co-main-event|access-date=2022-02-10|website=MMA Fighting|language=en}} However, Manhoef withdrew from the bout due to a hand injury while stopping burglars and was replaced by Alex Polizzi.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-30 |title=Yoel Romero meets Alex Polizzi at Bellator 280 following Melvin Manhoef withdrawal |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/bellator-280-yoel-romero-vs-alex-polizzi-melvin-manhoef-paris |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}

A middleweight bout between Lorenz Larkin and Khalid Murtazaliev was scheduled for this event.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=John |title=Lorenz Larkin, Khalid Murtazaliev clash at Bellator Paris |url=https://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/lorenz-larkin-khalid-murtazaliev-bellator-paris |access-date=2022-03-02 |website=The Underground |language=en}} However at the end of March, Murtazaliev pulled out of the bout and was replaced by Anthony Adams.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-30 |title=Lorenz Larkin to battle Dana White's Contender Series alum at Bellator 280 in Paris |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/lorenz-larkin-to-battle-dana-whites-contender-series-alum-at-bellator-280-in-paris |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} Adams in turn pulled out as well and was replaced by UFC vet Kyle Stewart.{{Cite web |last=Heck |first=Mike |date=2022-04-26 |title=With Anthony Adams out, Lorenz Larkin now faces newly signed Kyle Stewart at Bellator 280 |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/4/26/23043063/with-anthony-adams-out-lorenz-larkin-now-faces-newly-signed-kyle-stewart-at-bellator-280 |access-date=2022-04-27 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}

A heavyweight bout between Davion Franklin and Daniel James was planned for the event.{{Cite web |date=2022-03-24 |title=Unbeaten heavyweight Davion Franklin meets Daniel James at Bellator 280 |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/03/bellator-280-unbeaten-heavyweight-davion-franklin-meets-daniel-james-paris |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} However, James failed an out of competition drug test and was pulled from the bout.{{Cite web |date=2022-04-14 |title=Daniel James off Bellator 280 in Paris due to positive drug test |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/04/bellator-280-daniel-james-vs-davion-franklin-positive-drug-test |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}}

A lightweight bout between Søren Bak and Saul Rogers was scheduled for this event.{{Cite web |last=Briggs |first=Brady |date=2022-04-07 |title=Soren Bak vs Saul Rogers added to Bellator 280 lineup |url=https://mymmanews.com/soren-bak-vs-saul-rogers-added-to-bellator-280-lineup/ |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=MyMMANews |language=en-US}} Due to Rogers pulling out of the bout on two weeks notice, Bak was rescheduled against Charlie Leary in a 160 pound catchweight bout.

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.{{Cite web |date=2022-05-01 |title=Nicolò Solli salterà Bellator 280 a Parigi |url=https://fight.theshieldofwrestling.com/nicolo-solli-saltera-bellator-280/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |language=it-IT |archive-date=2022-06-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630082316/https://fight.theshieldofwrestling.com/nicolo-solli-saltera-bellator-280/ |url-status=dead }}

{{MMAevent}}

{{MMAevent card|Main Card (Showtime)}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Heavyweight

|Ryan Bader (c)

|def.

|Cheick Kongo

|Decision (unanimous) (50–45, 50–45, 50–45)

|5

|5:00

|For the Bellator Heavyweight World Championship.

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Light Heavyweight

|Yoel Romero

|def.

|Alex Polizzi

|TKO (punches)

|3

|4:59

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Davy Gallon

|def.

|Benjamin Brander

|TKO (punches and elbows)

|2

|3:18

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Middleweight

|Lorenz Larkin

|def.

|Kyle Stewart

|TKO (knees and punches)

|1

|4:44

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Middleweight

|Gregory Babene

|def.

|Mike Shipman

|KO (punches)

|1

|2:11

|

}}

{{MMAevent card|Preliminary card (Youtube/Pluto TV)|header=no}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Piotr Niedzielski

|def.

|Pedro Carvalho

|Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Thibault Gouti

|def.

|Lewis Long

|Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Featherweight

|Jordan Barton

|def.

|Fabacary Diatta

|Decision (split) (28–29, 29–28, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Catchweight (160 lb)

|Søren Bak

|def.

|Charlie Leary

|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 29–28)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Lightweight

|Yves Landu

|def.

|Gavin Hughes

|TKO (knees and body kick)

|1

|3:01

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Women's Flyweight

|Lucie Bertaud

|def.

|Katarzyna Sadura

|Decision (unanimous) (29–28, 30–27, 30–27)

|3

|5:00

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Middleweight

|Youcef Ouabbas

|def.

|Matthieu Duclos

|TKO (punches)

|1

|4:17

|

}}

{{MMAevent bout

|Welterweight

|Bourama Camara

|def.

|Victor Verchere

|KO (punches)

|1

|3:06

|

}}

{{MMAevent end|notes=yes}}

{{Cite web|title=Bellator MMA {{!}} Bellator Paris|url=https://www.bellator.com/event/292|access-date=2022-01-30|website=www.bellator.com|language=en-US}}

{{Portal|Martial Arts

}}

• 2022 in Bellator MMA
• List of Bellator MMA events
• List of current Bellator fighters

{{Reflist}}

{{Bellator Tournament Events}}

{{2022 in mixed martial arts}}

Category:Bellator MMA events

Category:2022 in mixed martial arts

Category:Mixed martial arts in France

Category:International sports competitions in Paris

Category:May 2022 sports events in France