Arguably the biggest non-title light heavyweight bout for Bellator MMA is on the books for June.
On Thursday, the organization announced that Corey Anderson (16-6, 1 NC) and Phil Davis (24-6, 1 NC) will square off at Bellator 297 on June 16. The top-ranked light heavyweights will meet on the main card that will be held inside the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. While the two 205ers formerly swam in the same pond in the Ultimate Fighting Championship from 2014 to early 2015, they never ended up meeting.
“Overtime” Anderson came up short in his rematch with Vadim Nemkov in November 2022 for the light heavyweight strap. The title challenger competed for the first time beyond the third round as a pro against the Russian, in a bout run back after they clash heads in their first encounter that April. The loss snapped a four-fight unbeaten streak since joining the roster in late 2020, with the ex-UFC vet most notably smashing Ryan Bader in 2021 for a shot at the throne.
Dating back to his joining the roster in 2015, Davis has only lost to Bader and Nemkov, dropping two decision to the latter in 2018 and 2021. “Mr. Wonderful” has rattled off 11 victories under its banner, or two more than he notched as a UFC fighter from 2010 to 2015. David claimed the 205-pound belt in 2016, wresting it from Liam McGeary, but his first defense against Bader did not go his way. The finish rates of the two contenders are almost the same, with Anderson holding a 50% stoppage rate compared to Davis’ 54%.
Bellator 297 will go down at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, with a pair of championship matches on the double-billed show. The main attraction will see Nemkov take on Yoel Romero for the light heavyweight crown – Anderson and Davis are a combined 0-3, 1 NC against Nemkov, so its status as a no. 1 contender match is not guaranteed. The co-headliner will feature Sergio Pettis back in action as he puts his bantamweight strap up for grabs against former two-division champ Patricio Freire. If the latter succeeds in claiming gold at 135 pounds, he will become the first three-division champion in major MMA history.
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