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It was a year of growth for Bellator MMA as they welcomed back fans and held international events again. The promotion also went through changes in 2021. One of those changes was the move to Showtime, which now serves as their American broadcast partner.
Bellator concluded their featherweight Grand Prix, began their light heavyweight Grand Prix, and announced plans for their highly anticipated bantamweight Grand Prix. There have been many fights that have exceeded expectations and had surprising outcomes. The promotion has proven to be a solid alternative to the UFC.
The promotion also saw many prospects take a giant leap in their development, which is promising as they head into 2022. With their roster improving, Bellator has had many great fights during the year. This list will look back at the top 5 Bellator fights in 2021.
#5. Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi – Bellator 272
Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi was unique as it was a champion vs. champion bout between the bantamweight champions of two major promotions.
Pettis - Bellator bantamweight champion – defended his title against Horiguchi – RIZIN bantamweight champion – to determine who the better champion was. Horiguchi was looking to regain the Bellator bantamweight championship which he was forced to relinquish due to injury. The fight was important to Pettis because a win over Horiguchi would legitimize his title reign.
Horiguchi was in control for the majority of the fight. He won every round and it looked like he’d be closing in on another championship. However, Pettis caught Horiguchi off-guard when he followed up a head-kick attempt with a spinning back-fist that knocked Horiguchi out. Pettis put the exclamation point on his title reign with one of the best knockouts of the year.
#4. Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson vs. Jose Augusto – Bellator 258
Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson and Jose Augusto competed in the first round of Bellator's light heavyweight Grand Prix. Johnson was originally scheduled to fight Yoel Romero, but he was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a medical issue.
Augusto then stepped up and took advantage of this massive opportunity by welcoming ‘Rumble’ to Bellator. Augusto almost pulled off a massive upset when he dropped ‘Rumble’ with a powerful left-hook. Johnson managed to recover and stopped Augusto from applying a rear-naked choke.
Both fighters came out swinging in the second-round and ‘Rumble’ finished Augusto with a vicious right-hand at 1:30. Johnson capped off his Bellator debut with the type of knockout fans were accustomed to seeing during his UFC career.
#3. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Karl Albrektsson – Bellator 268
Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov and Karl Albrektsson competed in a thrilling bout that would see the winner improve their status in the light heavyweight top 10.
It was a great back-and-forth slugfest between the two. Albrektsson’s toughness was on full display as Yagshimuradov connected with spin-kicks and a flying knee. Albrektsson found success with his counter-strikes and his grappling. Although Albretksson was having success with his grappling, it didn’t stop Yagshimuradov from going for the knockout blow.
Albrektsson managed to get Yagshimuradov to the ground, but he had to absorb significant strikes before getting him there. The fight could’ve gone either way as Yagshimuradov had more success in the standup, but Albrektsson was more effective on the ground. Albrektsson was awarded the unanimous decision after all three judges scored the bout 29-28.
#2. Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots – Bellator 264
Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots was a Bellator bantamweight matchup between two of the top 135-pounders in the division. It was an excellent grappling display.
Stots and Magomedov were battling for positions and gave fans an appreciation for high-level grappling. Stots had Magomedov in trouble as he was close to applying a rear-naked choke in the third-round. After a hard-fought battle between the two, Stots was awarded the unanimous decision win. With the win, Stots extended his winning streak to nine straight wins.
Stots was the more polished striker on the feet. However, what made his win more impressive was that he beat Magomedov in the wrestling and grappling, which is an area he usually thrives in. There’s a chance the two could meet again inside the Bellator cage as they will both be participating in the bantamweight Grand Prix.
#1. Paul Daley vs. Sabah Homasi – Bellator 257
Topping this list of top Bellator fights of 2021 is Paul ‘Semtex’ Daley vs. TUF alum Sabah Homasi. The two welterweights competed in a 175lb catchweight bout and didn’t waste any time going for a devastating knockout.
Less than a minute into the fight, Homasi rocked Daley with a right-hook behind the ear and then dropped him with another right-hook moments later. Homasi continued his onslaught, but 'Semtex' did enough to stay in the fight. Daley unloaded on Homasi with knees and punches to end the round, which allowed him to regain some momentum.
‘Semtex’ completed the comeback in the second-round, when he caught Homasi’s kick and fired back with a left-hook to the jaw. Daley then finished Homasi with hammer fists to earn the TKO win at 1:44 of round-two. The bout was an excellent start to the Bellator 257 main card and a reminder that Daley isn’t done yet.
