Bellator 259
Bellator 259: Cyborg vs. Smith 2 took place May 21, 2021, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The main event was Cris Cyborg defending the women's featherweight title against Leslie Smith, a rematch of their UFC 198 clash won by Cyborg.
Key fights and notes:
- Brett Johns vs. Matheus Mattos was set, but Mattos withdrew with COVID-19 and was replaced by Danny Sabatello.
- Austin Vanderford (No. 3 middleweight) vs. Fabian Edwards (No. 4).
- Darrion Caldwell returned to bantamweight to face Leandro Higo on the main card.
- Valerie Loureda vs. Hannah Guy was moved to this event from Bellator 258 and promoted to the main card, but was later rebooked for Bellator 261 after doctor clearance.
- Alfie Davis vs. Alexandr Shabliy; Saad Awad vs. Nate Andrews; Aviv Gozali vs. Sean Felton.
- Leah McCourt vs. Janay Harding, plus a preliminary light heavyweight bout Tyree Fortune vs. Grant Neal.
- Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Adam Piccolotti was canceled due to Piccolotti’s injury.
Weigh-ins and changes:
- Leandro Higo weighed 137.5 pounds (over the bantamweight limit); Leah McCourt weighed 149.4 pounds (over the featherweight limit). Their bouts proceeded at catchweight with fines.
- A lightweight bout between Christian Edwards and Ben Parrish was scrapped after Edwards wasn’t cleared to compete.
- Valerie Loureda vs. Hannah Guy was promoted to the main card but later rebooked for Bellator 261 after clearance.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 16:36 (CET).