Former UFC standout Lorenz Larkin finally has his next Bellator fight on the schedule.
Larkin (23-7 MMA, 5-2 BMMA), who has only competed once since 2019, is set to make his return May 6 against Anthony Adams (9-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) at Bellator 280 in Paris, the promotion announced Wednesday at a news conference.
Originally, Larkin was expected to fight fellow UFC alum Khalid Murtazaliev, who is out for undisclosed reasons.
Larkin, 35, most recently competed at Bellator 258 in May 2021 when he defeated former middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho via split decision. The victory extended his winning streak to five, which also includes a split decision over former Bellator welterweight champion Andrey Koreshkov.
Adams, 34, successfully debuted in the promotion in September when he upset the aforementioned Murtazaliev at Bellator 266 and won a unanimous decision. The fight was a one-off for Adams contractually. However, with the win the promotion signed him to an exclusive, multifight deal.
Bellator has signed middleweight Anthony Adams (9-2) to an exclusive, multifight deal, per a promotion official. Adams defeated Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision at #Bellator266, but was on a one-off deal at the time. pic.twitter.com/Y9jogwTgk0
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) March 22, 2022
With the addition, the Bellator 280 lineup includes:
- Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo – for heavyweight championship
- Melvin Manhoef vs. Yoel Romero
- Anthony Adams vs. Lorenz Larkin
- Soren Bak vs. Saul Rogers
- Gavin Hughes vs. Yves Landu
- Khasan Askhabov vs. Pedro Carvalho
- Gregory Babene vs. Mike Shipman
- Thibault Gouti vs. Lewis Long
- Fabacary Diatta def. Jordan Barton
- Joel Kouadja vs. Nicolo Solli
- Lucie Bertaud vs. Katarzyna Sadura
- Davion Franklin vs. Daniel James
- Bourama Camara vs. Victor Verchere
- Mathieu Ducios vs. Youcef Ouabbas
Lorenz Larkin to battle Dana White’s Contender Series alum at Bellator 280 in Paris