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.