On Friday, April 9, Bellator MMA hosted Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2 from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
In the night’s main event, the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix began as former titleholder Ryan Bader rematched former UFC champion Lyoto Machida. The pair met previously in the Octagon back in 2012, with the Brazilian Machida stopping Bader in the second round. Bader looked for revenge and to get back in the win column after dropping his 205-pound strap to current champion Vadim Nemkov in his last outing. Machida aimed to snap a two-fight skid after dropping back-to-back split decisions to Phil Davis and Gegard Mousasi.
The co-main event featured former UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche, who welcomed former Invicta FC flyweight champion Vanessa Porto to the Bellator cage.
The prelims kicked off live above at 6 p.m. ET, followed at 9 p.m. ET by the main card live on Showtime.
Liz Carmouche def. Vanessa Porto by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Adam Borics def. Jeremy Kennedy by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Cat Zingano def. Olivia Parker by submission (armbar). Round 1, 2:56
Dan Moret def. Goiti Yamauchi by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Dalton Rosta def. Tony Johnson by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Talita Nogueira def. Jessica Borga by unanimous decision (29-27 x3)
Jornel Lugo def. Cass Bell by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Law def. Nathan Ghareeb by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Jaylon Bates def. Jeffrey Glossner by submission (one-arm guillotine choke). Round 2, 1:27
Nainoa Dung def. Izzy William by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Diana Avsaragova def. Tara Graff by knockout (punch). Round 1, 0:29
John Douma def. Will Smith by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)