Bellator 296 fight week kicked off with a showpiece press conference as Bellator president Scott Coker, flanked by the stars of the main and co-main events, answered questions from the media at the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris, France.
Russian lightweight phenom Usman Nurmagomedov extended his perfect professional record to 17-0 with a swift submission of Benson Henderson at Bellator 292 in San Jose.
Bellator has announced the field for their lightweight grand prix, and the lineup is stacked with top-drawer talent.
It took Usman Nurmagomedov just five fights in the Bellator cage to become the promotion's lightweight champion.
The official weigh-ins for Bellator 288 passed off without a hitch as all 26 fighters took to the scale and made weight for their respective bouts at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
The Bellator cage makes its long awaited return to the Windy City, with two title fights set to top the card as Chicago plays host to Bellator 288 on Friday, November 18.
Newly-crowned Bellator lightweight champion Patricky Pitbull will play a starring role at the top of the fight card at Bellator 283 on Friday, July 22.
Recap the results from Moscow, Russia as Fedor Emelianenko returned to home soil to knock out American contender Tim Johnson in the main event.