Bellator 254 adds debuting Nate Andrews vs. Goiti Yamauchi to main card lineup

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – CES MMA lightweight champion Nate Andrews is headed to Bellator – and his debut is set.

Andrews (16-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) will battle longtime Bellator fighter Goiti Yamauchi in a lightweight fight on the Bellator 254 main card. A promotion official informed MMA Junkie of the matchup Wednesday.

Bellator 254 takes place Dec. 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network/DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Andrews, 36, most recently competed in PFL and went 1-2 for the promotion against three former UFC fighters. Prior to his win, “The Snake” had won nine straight fights. Fifteen of Andrew’s 16 professional wins have come inside the distance.

Yamauchi (25-4 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) rides a three-fight winning streak into Bellator 254. Since he defeated Daniel Weichel by split decision in November 2018, Yamauchi has picked up back-to-back first-round finishes against Saad Awad and Daron Cruickshank.

With the addition, the Bellator 254 lineup includes:

• Ilima Lei-Macfarlane vs. Julianna Velasquez – for women’s flyweight title
• Nate Andrews vs. Goiti Yamauchi
• Matheus Mattos vs. Magomedov Magomedov
• Jessica Borga vs. Marina Mokhnatina
• Tyree Fortune vs. Grant Neal
• Romero Cotton vs. Justin Sumter