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Bellator 273 pre-event facts: Can Benson Henderson snap career-worst skid?

mike
·3 min read

Bellator kicks off its 2022 schedule on Saturday with Bellator 273, which takes place at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Ariz., with a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

A heavyweight championship unification fight is featured in the main event. Reigning divisional kingpin Ryan Bader (28-7 MMA, 6-2 BMMA) will face interim titleholder Valentin Moldavsky (11-1 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) atop the card.

For more on the numbers, check below for 20 pre-event facts about Bellator 273.

Ryan Bader vs. Valentin Moldavsky

Ryan Bader

Bader became the first simultaneous two-division champion in Bellator history when he won at Bellator 214 in January 2019.

Bader is the only champion in Bellator history to register title defenses in two weight classes.

Bader is one of two simultaneous two-division champions in Bellator history. Patricio Freire also accomplished the feat.

Bader is one of three fighters in Bellator history to win titles in two weight classes. Freire and Joe Warren also accomplished the feat.

Bader is 6-2 (with one no contest) since he moved to Bellator from UFC in June 2017.

Bader is 3-0 (with one no contest) in heavyweight competition since he moved up to the division in May 2018.

Valentin Moldavsky

Moldavsky’s six-fight Bellator winning streak at heavyweight is the longest active streak in the division.

Moldavsky’s six victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Cheick Kongo (12) and Tyrell Fortune (10).

Moldavsky has earned five of his six Bellator victories by decision.

Benson Henderson vs. Islam Mamedov

Benson Henderson

[autotag]Benson Henderson[/autotag]’s (28-11 MMA, 5-6 BMMA) three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since September 2019.

Henderson is a former UFC and WEC lightweight champion. He’s 0-2 in Bellator title fights.

[autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) enters the event on a 20-fight unbeaten streak. He hasn’t suffered a loss since July 2009.

Henry Corrales vs. Aiden Lee

Henry Corrales

[autotag]Henry Corrales[/autotag] (19-6 MMA, 7-6 BMMA) returns to the featherweight division after going 1-1 during his stint at bantamweight.

Darrion Caldwell vs. Enrique Barzola

Darrion Caldwell

[autotag]Darrion Caldwell[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) is 2-5 in his past seven fights dating back to December 2018.

Caldwell’s six submission victories in Bellator competition are tied for fourth-most in company history behind Goiti Yamauchi (eight), Neiman Gracie (seven) and A.J. McKee (seven).

[autotag]Enrique Barzola[/autotag] (16-5-2 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his Bellator debut after a 10-fight UFC stint where he went 6-3-1.

Barzola returns to competition for the first time since March 14, 2020. The layoff is the longest of his more than nine-year career.

Saad Awad vs. Chris Gonzalez

Saad Awad

[autotag]Saad Awad[/autotag] (24-13 MMA, 12-10 BMMA) competes in his 24th Bellator bout, tied for the second-most appearances in company history behind Patricky Freire (25).

Awad’s nine victories in Bellator lightweight competition are third-most in divisional history behind Michael Chandler (15) and Patricky Freire (15).

Awad’s five knockout victories in Bellator lightweight competition are tied for second-most in divisional history behind Freire (10).

Awad’s 10 Bellator losses are most in company history.

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