Bellator returns on Friday with Bellator 261 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., with a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie. A historic fight is featured in the main event. With heavyweight champion Ryan Bader tied up with the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix, the company will implement an interim title for the first time at heavyweight. Timothy Johnson (15-6 MMA, 3-2 BMMA) and Valentin Moldavsky (10-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) will clash for that belt, with the winner set up to unify with Bader when he becomes available. For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 10 pre-event facts about Bellator 261.

Bellator 261 pre-event facts: The first interim title fight in company history

June 23, 2021

Ahead of Bellator 261 title fight, Timothy Johnson reflects on skid that nearly ended his career

June 18, 2021

Grand prix pulled Ryan Bader away from heavyweight, but he has no plans to vacate title

April 7, 2021

With champ Ryan Bader busy, Timothy Johnson suggests interim Bellator heavyweight title fight

February 22, 2021

MMA Junkie’s 2020 ‘Upset of the Year’: Shana Dobson has biggest UFC underdog win in five years

January 7, 2021

Timothy Johnson eyes Bellator heavyweight title shot: ‘I think I’ve done enough to earn it’

October 12, 2020

Bellator Europe 10 results: Timothy Johnson edges Cheick Kongo in Paris, wants title shot

October 10, 2020

Bellator Paris live stream and official results

October 10, 2020

Bellator Paris live stream and official results (11:30 a.m. ET)

October 10, 2020

Timothy Johnson admits ‘it’s gonna be pretty easy to do better’ in Cheick Kongo rematch

October 9, 2020

Bellator 248 and Bellator Europe 10 weigh-in results: All fighters on weight ahead of historic event

October 9, 2020

Bellator 248 and Bellator Europe 10 weigh-in results

October 9, 2020

Cheick Kongo to fight on Bellator’s first event in France, rematch Timothy Johnson

September 11, 2020

Timothy Johnson def. Matt Mitrione at Bellator 243: Best photos

August 8, 2020

Timothy Johnson wants to make title run, lose journeyman label following Bellator 243 win

August 8, 2020

Bellator 243 results: Timothy Johnson finishes Matt Mitrione in dominant first round

August 8, 2020

Bellator 243′s Timothy Johnson wants fans to doubt him ahead of Matt Mitrione fight

August 6, 2020

Matt Mitrione on foe Timothy Johnson: ‘He doesn’t look like a quality fighter, but he is’

August 6, 2020

Bellator free fight: Relive Timothy Johnson’s vicious knockout of Tyrell Fortune

April 12, 2020

Bellator 239 video highlights, including Timothy Johnson’s massive knockout

February 22, 2020
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