'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFAABAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAB//aAAgBAQAAAABYMf/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL/2gAIAQIQAAAAH//EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT/2gAIAQMQAAAAR//EACMQAAEDAwIHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwUABBIGBxEiIzEyQXH/2gAIAQEAAT8AidEMIMQd1FRb7QChu42LPl7Qu2X2l2z1K71Fgo0FPmxELfglf//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAv/aAAgBAgEBPwBwX//EABgRAAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMx/9oACAEDAQE/AI3N6j//2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#2. Will Cheick Kongo retire after Bellator 280?
Bellator 280 will be a special night for Cheick Kongo, but it’ll be interesting to see if he ends up retiring after the bout. He is challenging Ryan Bader for the heavyweight championship in front of his home country. This is significant, especially considering that the sport wasn’t legalized in France until January 2020.
While speaking to reporters during the pre-fight media day, Kongo spoke on the importance of fighting in France.
“It will be great for the French people to have the belt at home and claim France is a really good country for MMA. The supporters and fighters in France used to live for those moments, so for me it’s a normality and a great opportunity to show the world we’re still in the game." - Cheick Kongo during Bellator 280 media day.
A heavyweight championship bout in Paris could be a fitting end to his career. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, he will always be a key figure in the growth of MMA in France. He will turn 47 years old on May 17, so his career could be winding down.
#1. Who will win the Bellator heavyweight championship rematch?
Ryan Bader and Cheick Kongo will finally get a chance to run it back when they headline Bellator 280. Their first bout took place in September 2019, and ended in controversial fashion. It was ruled a no-contest after an accidental eye poke forced a stoppage at 3:52 of the first round.
Ryan ‘Darth’ Bader had been in control up until that point. He had taken Kongo down and controlled him on the ground prior to the accidental eye poke. Since then, Kongo has been clamoring for a rematch.
It seemed unlikely that they’d compete against each other again as Bader returned to light heavyweight. But, since his loss to Corey Anderson in the Grand Prix, ‘Darth’ made a permanent return to heavyweight.
During his pre-fight media availability, Bader mentioned that there’s animosity heading into this fight.
“He said he had me where he wanted me, so for me there’s definitely more animosity now. But at the same time, I’m going to go in and do my job like I always do and that’s it.” – Ryan Bader on animosity with Cheick Kongo.
