Bellator 258: Main events & Prelims
Bellator returns with its biggest UK star Michael 鈥淰enom鈥 Page in action for the first time this year. MMA legend Anthony 鈥淩umble鈥 Johnson takes on Jose Augusto.
Bellator returns with Juan Archuleta鈥檚 hotly-anticipated first bantamweight title defence in a headline bout against fellow American Sergio Pettis. "The Spaniard" will be defending the belt he claimed after a unanimous decision victory over Patchy Mix at Bellator 246 in September 2020. The main event match-up will be Pettis鈥 first venture into the cage since he defeated Ricky Bandejas at Bellator 242, taking his record to 20 wins from 25 bouts. Pettis will be looking to hand Archuleta his first defeat since Bellator 228 in September 2019.
The evening鈥檚 co-main event sees a MMA legend make his promotional debut as Anthony 鈥淩umble鈥 Johnson faces off against Brazil鈥檚 Jose 鈥淕ugu鈥 Augusto. The bout will complete the first round of Bellator鈥檚 light heavyweight grand prix with the victor earning a semi-final shot against current division champion, Russia's Vadim Nemkov. Johnson boasts a professional record of 22 wins from 28 bouts, with Augusto stepping in at short notice with seven wins from 10 to his name.
Elsewhere on a stacked main card Michael "Venom" Page returns to the cage to take on Derek 鈥淭he Barbaric鈥 Anderson in a long-awaited welterweight clash. Since suffering his first career loss to Douglas Lima at Bellator 221, 鈥淢VP鈥 has returned to form with four straight wins and will be looking to show his class in his first bout since Bellator's historic Paris event in October. Fans can expect fireworks when the two heavy hitters finally get together after two previously scheduled meetings were cancelled.
Also in action on an evening filled with world-class fights, Patricio鈥檚 younger brother Patricky 鈥淧itbull鈥 Freire returns to the promotion in a lightweight clash against Ireland鈥檚 Peter 鈥淭he Showstopper鈥 Queally, whilst middleweight Johnny 鈥淭he Korean Canelo鈥 Eblen looks to preserve his undefeated seven-fight record against Daniel 鈥淒emigod鈥 Madrid.