Bellator 258: Archuleta vs. Pettis was a

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting combat sport, sport based on strike (attack), striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world. In the early 20th century, various inter-s ...

event produced by

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) was an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 by Bjorn Rebney and operated until 2025. The promotion takes its name from ''wikt:bellator, bellātor ...

that took place on May 7, 2021 at

Mohegan Sun Arena The Mohegan Sun Arena is a 10,000 seat multi-purpose arena in the Uncasville, Connecticut, Uncasville area of Montville, Connecticut, Montville, Connecticut located inside the Mohegan Sun casino resort. The arena facility features of configurab ...

Uncasville, Connecticut Uncasville is a village in the town of Montville, Connecticut, United States. It is located in southeastern Montville, at the mouth of the Oxoboxo River where it flows into the Thames River. The name is now applied more generally to all of the ...

. This fight card is notable for being Anthony Johnson's final fight before his death.

Background

The event was headlined by current Bellator Bantamweight World Champion

Juan Archuleta Juan Archuleta (born September 13, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the bantamweight divisions of Bellator MMA and Rizin Fighting Federation, where in the latter promotion, he is the former Rizin Bantamweight Champion. ...

making his first title defense against

Sergio Pettis Sergio Jerome Pettis (born August 18, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who is currently signed with Bellator MMA, where he is the former Bellator Bantamweight Champion. Prior to signing with Bellator, Pettis competed in the Ultimate Figh ...

. The co-main was to feature a Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament quarterfinal bout between former UFC Middleweight Title contender

Yoel Romero Yoel Romero Palacio (born April 30, 1977) is a Cuban professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler who currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division. Romero formerly competed in the Middleweight division of the Ultimate ...

facing off against former UFC Light-Heavyweight Title contender Anthony Johnson in their debuts for the promotion after the bout was moved from

Bellator 257 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 B ...

to this event. On April 29, it was announced that Romero had failed his medicals due to an eye issue and the bout was pulled from the card. Romero was also pulled from the Grand Prix. The next day, it was announced that José Augusto Azevedo would replace Romero in the bout and the Grand Prix. Former Bellator Bantamweight title challenger

Patchy Mix Patrick "Patchy" Mix (born August 16, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Mix first gained notoriety competing in the Bantamweight d ...

was expected to face James Gallagher. However, Gallagher pulled out on April 16 due to undisclosed reasons. UFC alum

Albert Morales Albert Morales (born May 25, 1991) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Bantamweight division. He has also competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and of Bellator MMA. Background Born and raised in Southern Califor ...

was announced as a replacement. A lightweight bout between

Patricky Freire Patricky Freire (born January 21, 1986), known professionally as Patricky Pitbull, is a Brazilian mixed martial artist currently competing in Lightweight division. He most notably competed for Bellator MMA, where he was a former Bellator Lightwe ...

and Peter Queally also took place at the event. A welterweight fight between

Logan Storley Logan Storley (born September 8, 1992) is an American professional mixed martial artist and folkstyle wrestler. He currently competes in the welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). He is a former interim Bellator Welt ...

and Killys Mota was to serve as the main card opener. However, Mota withdrew from the bout due to lingering issues after contracting

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. In January 2020, the disease spread worldwide, resulting in the COVID-19 pandemic. The symptoms of COVID‑19 can vary but often include fever ...

. Mota was replaced by Omar Hussein.

Michael Page Michael Jerome Reece-Pagewkaassociation.com, Retrieved 28 August 2017. (born 7 April 1987), known as Michael "Venom" Page or MVP, is an English professional mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divi ...

and Derek Anderson were announced as the replacement opening bout. A welterweight bout between

and the debuting Omar Hussein was canceled on fight day before the event began, as Hussein was not medically cleared to compete. Érik Pérez was scheduled to face Brian Moore at this event. However, Moore tested positive for COVID and pulled out of the bout. He was replaced by Blaine Shutt. A women's flyweight bout between Valerie Loureda and Hannah Guy was set for this event, but was moved to

Bellator 259 Bellator 259: Cyborg vs. Smith 2 was a mixed martial arts event that was produced by Bellator MMA at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Background The event featured a Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship bout between the ch ...

. A middleweight bout between

Lorenz Larkin Lorenz Larkin (born September 3, 1986) is an American professional mixed martial artist who formerly competed in the Welterweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2009, Larkin formerly competed for Strikeforce and the Ul ...

and Costello van Steenis was planned for this event. On April 27, it was announced that van Steenis suffered an injury during training and pulled out of the bout. On six days notice, former

Bellator Middleweight Champion Bellator MMA (formerly known as "Bellator Fighting Championships") was an American mixed martial arts promotion, and the following is a history of its champions in each weight class. At the time of its inception in 2008, CEO Bjorn Rebney founded ...

Rafael Carvalho was announced as the replacement. A lightweight bout between Bryce Logan and Alan Omer was planned for this event. However, on April 29, Logan pulled out due to injury and the bout was scrapped altogether. At weigh-ins, Johnny Soto came in at 148.5 pounds, 2.5 pounds over the featherweight limit. The fight proceeded as a catchweight matchup, with a percentage of Soto's purse going to Almeida.

Results

References

{{2021 in mixed martial arts Bellator MMA events Events in Uncasville, Connecticut 2021 in mixed martial arts May 2021 sports events in the United States 2021 in sports in Connecticut Mixed martial arts in Connecticut Sports competitions in Connecticut

Background

Results

See also

References