A former top UFC light heavyweight will make his Bellator debut next month.
Corey Anderson will face exciting combat sports veteran Melvin Manhoef in the main event of Bellator 251 on Nov. 5 at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, the promotion announced Wednesday. Anderson signed with Bellator in August after asking for and being granted his release from the UFC.
Anderson (13-5) fell in what was a title eliminator against Jan Blachowicz at a UFC Fight Night back in February. Blachowicz went on to win the vacant UFC light heavyweight title by beating Dominick Reyes last month at UFC 253. Anderson, an Illinois native, was on a four-fight winning streak prior to the Blachowicz loss. Anderson, 31, had a 10-5 record in the UFC and was considered a top 205-pound contender for several years.
Manhoef (32-14-1, 2 NC) has won two straight. The Dutch kickboxing legend has lost in MMA only to former Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho (twice) in the past six years. Manhoef, 44, has been a pro MMA fighter since 1995 with 29 knockouts in 32 career wins.
No other bouts have been announced for Bellator 251.