Bellator 233 pre-event facts: ‘King Mo’ Lawal drops weight for retirement fight

MMA News
Bellator 233 pre-event facts: ‘King Mo’ Lawal drops weight for retirement fight

Bellator action resumes on Friday with Bellator 233, which takes place at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla., with a main card that airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

An important fight in the middleweight division headlines the event. Surging contenders John Salter (16-4 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) and Costello van Steenis (12-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) will fight to see who can move a step close to a title shot at 185 pounds.

For more on the main event, as well as the reminders of the card, check below for 17 pre-event facts Bellator 233.

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Main event

Salter competes in his eighth Bellator middleweight bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind Alexander Shlemenko (17) and Rafael Carvalho (nine).

Salter’s six victories in Bellator middleweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Shlemenko (12) and Carvalho (seven).

Salter has earned all 16 of his career victories by stoppage. He’s never fought to a decision in his career.

Salter’s six stoppage victories in Bellator middleweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Shlemenko (eight).

Salter’s five submission victories in Bellator middleweight competition are most in divisional history.

Van Steenis’ four-fight Bellator winning streak at middleweight is tied for the second longest active streak in the division behind Anatoly Tokov (five).

Van Steenis’ three knockout victories in Bellator middleweight competition are tied for third most in divisional history behind Shlemenko (six) and Carvalho (four).

Co-main event

Muhammed Lawal (21-9 MMA, 10-6 BMMA) competes in his retirement fights.

Lawal competes in a 195-pound catchweight fight, the lowest weight of his career. He’s never fought below light heavyweight.

Lawal’s five knockouts in Bellator light heavyweight competition are tied with Liam McGeary for the most in divisional history.

Remaining main card

Arlene Blencowe

Arlene Blencowe (12-7 MMA, 5-3 BMMA) competes in her ninth Bellator women’s featherweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.

Blencowe’s five victories in Bellator women’s featherweight competition are second most ind divisional history behind Julia Budd (seven).

Blencowe’s three knockout victories in Bellator women’s featherweight competition are tied with Budd for most in divisional history.

Tyrell Fortune’s (7-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) seven-fight Bellator winning streak in heavyweight competition is the longest active streak in the division.

Fortune’s seven victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Cheick Kongo (12).

Fortune’s five stoppage victories in Bellator competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Javy Ayala (six).

Fortune earned the first submission victory of his career.

Azusa Anyanwu (15-5 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) returns to Bellator for the first time since Bellator 49 in September 2011.

Bellator 233 pre-event facts: 'King Mo' Lawal drops weight for retirement fight