Bellator Expected to Open Men’s Flyweight Division

Bellator MMA is expanding, despite what recent
rumors may be suggesting for the company.

MMA Junkie first broke the news on Thursday that the promotion
was planning on officially launching a men’s flyweight category.
News of this development has since been confirmed by
other outlets. The specific date that it will kick off this new
division is unclear, and no news has developed regarding the
potential signing of competitors to populate its roster.

Despite having no official flyweight weight class, the organization
booked over 50 fights at 125 pounds over the years for male
fighters. Of note, both Josh Paiva
and Zarrukh
Adashev both notched three victories in that specific category
in the past. The most recent match that took place at flyweight for
Bellator came at Bellator 277 in April 2022, when Edwin
De Los Santos faced and defeated Alberto
Mendez by decision. Before then, De Los Santos accounted for
the only 125-pound bout in the last two years, when he knocked out
Jonathan
Adams at Bellator 266 in September 2021. A pair of stoppages
for Blaine
O’Driscoll serve as the remaining two flyweight matches since
2020.

Bellator did attempt to run a noteworthy fight in that division
back in April, when it brought together ex-bantamweight king
Kyoji
Horiguchi and Ray Borg
together for a fight that low on the scale. Unfortunately, Borg
withdrew from the pairing on weigh-in day, rumored to be at least a
full weight class heavier than his prospective opponent. Borg, who
reportedly requested a catchweight that he could not make, was
released from the promotion before debuting, fired by his
management team and subsequently retired from the sport. This
addition will give Bellator eight men’s weight classes, running the
gamut all the way to heavyweight. It is believed that Horiguchi, a
frequent flyweight, may seek early top status in the new division.