Bellator 238 Preview and Countdown Video

The Forum, in LA, California will play host to Bellator 238 on Saturday night. The main event is to be contested by Julia Budd (13-2-0) vs. Cris Cyborg (21-2-0). 

The champ, Julia Budd will look to defend her title once more in the Bellator cage. Budd is riding high coming into this fight on a 11 fight win streak. The most recent of those victories came in July 2019 where she stopped Olga Rubin(6-2-0) by first round TKO. The former kickboxer has two blemishes on her career both coming from former UFC Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and current double champion Amanda Nunes. 

The Canadian made it pretty clear she wanted to test herself against the very best. She sent a message to Cyborg once it was known that she had been released from her UFC contract, “Come to Bellator,” Budd responded when asked for a message to send to Cyborg. “We’ve got the best 145-pounders in the world. I think everyone has been talking about this for a long time. I don’t know what she wants to do for her career but I definitely think it makes sense.”

Cyborg, whose real name is Cris Justino, on the night will be vying to pick up another major MMA world title. With a win, she would become the first fighter to pick up titles in Strikeforce, UFC and Bellator. This will be the first fight on what is said to be a multi bout, multi year contract. She joins a talent rich division with the likes of Irelands own Sinead Kavanagh and Leah McCourt along with Cat Zingano, Arlene Blencowe and Leslie Smith amongst others. The Brazilian  is coming off a first round loss against Amanda Nunes in what was to be the last time she stepped inside the UFC’s octagon.

Also on the card is a highly anticipated bout in the Bellator Featherweight Grand Prix. Former bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell (13-3-0) will face off against undefeated Hungarian Adam Borics (14-0). Both fighters are coming off the back of wins in the previous round. Caldwell beating Henry Corrales and Borics stopping vetern Pat Curran in the 2nd round at Bellator 226. Corrales (17-4-0) himself fights on this card against former number one contentor Juan Archuleta (23-2-0)  which is sure to be a barnburner. 

Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight contender Sergio Pettis (18-5-0) makes his Bellator debut against Alfred Khashakyan (11-4-0)  who also make his debut for the promotion. Ava Knight (1-0), a professional boxing world champion will look to add to her first and only win in MMA when she faces off against Emilee Gettys (3-3-0). Kickboxing superstar Raymond Daniels ( 1-1-0)  looks to impress once more after landing a 720 degree spinning punch KO in his last bout. He faces off against Jason King (8-5-0) who steps into the Bellator cage for the first time. 

Further down the card Former UFC fighter Curtis Millender (17-5-0)  makes his Bellator debut when he faces Moses Murrietta (6-3-0). Decorated Brazilian jiu jitsu artist Aj Agazarm goes up against Adel Altamimi (8-3-0). Antohny Taylor (6-5-0) fights Chris Avila (7-8-0)  and highly touted prospect Aaron Pico (4-3-0) will be looking to turn around his misfortune in 2019 when he comes up against Daniel Carey (7-3-0). This card, as a whole, is stacked from top to bottom is sure to offer tons of entertainment.

You can watch the Bellator prelims on the Bellator mobile app or on Bellator.com. The main card can be viewed on Sky Sports on Saturday, January 25th. Internationally you can watch the card on the DAZN app.