Corey Anderson vs. Phil Davis added to Bellator 297 in Chicago

Corey Anderson and Phil Davis have been atop major promotions’ light heavyweight divisions for nearly a decade but have never crossed paths.

That will change June 16 as a 205-pound bout between Anderson (16-6 MMA, 10-5 BMMA) and Davis (24-6 MMA, 11-3 BMMA) has been added to Bellator 297 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Promotion officials announced the booking after an initial report by ESPN on Thursday.

Anderson, 33, looks to bounce back from a unanimous decision loss to champion Vadim Nemkov in November. The bout, which took place at Bellator 288, doubled as the promotion’s light heavyweight grand prix final. It was also a rematch. Anderson and Nemkov fought in April 2022 at Bellator 277. The fight was declared a no contest after an inadvertent headbutt caused a cut on Nemkov.

Prior to the Nemkov bouts, Anderson was undefeated in Bellator with TKO wins over Ryan Bader, Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, and Melvin Manhoef.

Davis, 38, seeks his third straight victories as he enters the fight on a two-fight winning streak that includes victories over Yoel Romero and Julius Anglickas. Davis is a former Bellator light heavyweight champion who, like Anderson, has only lost in the promotion to Nemkov.

With the addition, the Bellator 297 lineup includes:

• Champion Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero – for light heavyweight title
• Champion Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Freire – for bantamweight title
• Corey Anderson vs. Phil Davis

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 297.