It took longer than the UFC and other MMA promotions, but Bellator returned in July from a five-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic and has been regularly hosting events ever since.

1. Bellator Schedule 2021
2. Bellator Fight Schedule 2020
3. Bellator Schedule For 2020

Main card (ESPN+ PPV at 10 p.m. Israel Adesanya vs. Bellator Fight Schedule. All Results UFC PFL Invicta FC ONE FC Fight Results. Bellator 255 April 2, 2021. Patricio Freire vs. Emmanuel Sanchez Title Fight; Bellator 256 April 9, 2021.

In total, Bellator will have put on 15 events in its return once Bellator 254 is in the books Dec. 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., which has become the promotion’s U.S. home base in 2020.

With the year coming to an end, that got us thinking about what 2021 might look like for Bellator. And on Monday’s episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” Mike Bohn, “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” picked the matchups they would like to see – some outside the box – to start the new year.

You can check out those choices in the video above.

Bellator was poised to have its biggest and best year to date in 2020, but like most businesses this year, it was hindered by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Still, though, the promotion hosted 18 fight cards between its numbered and European series events that solidified its status among the top dogs in the MMA space. During that time, many records were set, and a host of historic moments were produced.

Now that the year has come to a close, here are some of 2020’s most significant fights and individual performances.

Event feats

Bellator held 18 numbered and European series events in six different cities across four countries and two continents.

Those events had 76 main card fights across nine different weight classes (not including catchweight bouts).

Those 76 main card fights combined for a total cage time of 13:30:44.

The longest event of the year (main-card fights only) was Bellator 246 (1:03:03).

The shortest event of the year (main-card fights only) was Bellator 249 (21:14).

Twenty-two fighters missed weight for main-card bouts. Those fighters went 7-9, while six bouts were canceled.

Three main or co-main event bouts were canceled due to a variety of reasons (not including full event cancellations due to the pandemic).

Betting favorites went 61-13 during Bellator main card fights. Two bouts ended in a no contest.

Betting favorites went 16-2 in Bellator headliners.

Betting favorites went on an 18-0 run to close the year.

Seven cards saw all the betting favorites win.

No fight cards had more underdogs win than favorites.

Championship feats

Cris Cyborg became the first person in history to win titles in Bellator, UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce when she won the women’s featherweight belt at Bellator 238.

Cyborg became the second in history to win titles in Bellator and UFC. Eddie Alvarez also accomplished the feat.

Vadim Nemkov became the eighth light heavyweight champion in Bellator history when he won at Bellator 244.

Cyborg became the first in history to successfully defend titles in Bellator and UFC with her win at Bellator 249.

Cyborg became the first in history to win titles in Bellator, UFC, Invicta FC and Strikeforce, and successfully defend her belt in all four promotions.

Gegard Mousasi became the first two-time Bellator middleweight champion when he regained the title at Bellator 250.

Douglas Lima suffered his fourth title-fight loss in Bellator competition at Bellator 250, the second-most in company history behind Michael Chandler (five).

Patricio Freire’s recorded his ninth Bellator title-fight victory at Bellator 252, the most in company history.

Juliana Velasquez became the second Bellator flyweight champion when she won the title at Bellator 254.

Individual feats

John Salter set a record for most submission victories in Bellator middleweight history with his sixth at Bellator 244.

Bellator Schedule 2021

Julia Budd set a record for most victories in Bellator women’s featherweight history with her eighth at Bellator 244.

Neiman Gracie set a record for most submission victories in Bellator welterweight history with his sixth at Bellator 246.

Saad Awad suffered his 10th loss in Bellator competition at Bellator 249, the most in company history.

Emmanuel Sanchez set the record for most decision wins in Bellator history with his eighth at Bellator 252.

Yaroslav Amosov extended his overall winning streak to 25 with his victory at Bellator 252, which is the longest streak among active Bellator fighters.

Bellator Fight Schedule 2020

Freire set a record for most in Bellator history with his 19th win at Bellator 252.

A.J. McKee extended his record for longest winning streak in Bellator history when he moved to 17-0 with his win at Bellator 253.

McKee set a record for most stoppage victories in Bellator featherweight history with his 12th at Bellator 253.

Bellator Schedule For 2020

McKee set a record for most submission victories in Bellator featherweight history with his sixth at Bellator 253.