Definition
Bellator 290 is the 290th numbered mixed martial arts (MMA) event produced by the American promotion Bellator MMA. The event featured a series of professional MMA bouts, including a headline fight, and was broadcast to a global audience.
Overview
The event took place on 12 May 2023 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States. It was streamed live on the Paramount+ platform in the United States and through various international broadcast partners. Bellator 290 continued the promotion’s schedule of monthly numbered events and served as a platform for both established contenders and emerging prospects within the organization’s weight‑class divisions.
Etymology/Origin
The term Bellator derives from Latin, meaning “warrior” or “fighter,” a name chosen by the promotion to reflect the combative nature of mixed martial arts. The numeral 290 follows Bellator’s sequential numbering system, indicating that it is the 290th event in the organization’s main series of numbered fights.
Characteristics
- Promotion and Production: Organized by Bellator MMA, a subsidiary of Paramount Global’s sports division.
- Venue: Mohegan Sun Arena, a multi‑purpose indoor arena owned by the Mohegan Tribe, with a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 for combat‑sports events.
- Broadcast: Live streaming on Paramount+ (U.S.) and on regional broadcast partners internationally; later made available on Bellator’s official YouTube channel as highlights.
- Card Structure: Typically comprised a main card (3–5 bouts) and an undercard (4–6 bouts). The headline bout was a featherweight contest between James “Stots” Gallagher and Javier Sabatini (accurate details of the fighters’ records at the time are not confirmed). The card also featured bouts across multiple weight classes, including women’s featherweight and men’s lightweight divisions.
- Regulatory Oversight: Sanctioned by the Connecticut State Athletic Commission, which oversaw officiating, medical examinations, and compliance with Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts.
- Attendance and Reception: Reported attendance figures were not officially disclosed; however, the event was considered a moderate draw within Bellator’s 2023 calendar, contributing to the promotion’s ongoing expansion in the northeastern United States.
Related Topics
- Bellator MMA – the parent organization that produces the Bellator numbered events.
- Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) – the combat sport combining striking and grappling disciplines.
- Paramount+ – the streaming service that holds the broadcasting rights for Bellator events in the United States.
- Mohegan Sun Arena – the venue that has hosted numerous combat‑sport events, including other Bellator cards.
- Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts – the regulatory framework governing bout conduct, weight classes, and safety standards for the event.
Note: Specific details regarding individual fight outcomes, fighter statistics, and exact attendance numbers are not confirmed in publicly available, reliable sources.