Corey Anderson makes Bellator debut against Melvin Manhoef on Nov. 5
Corey Anderson’s Bellator debut is set.
After signing with the promotion in August, Corey Anderson will face a veteran striker in Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 251 on Nov. 5. First reported by CBS, the main event bout will air on CBS Sports Network at the Mohegun Sun Arena in CBS Sports Network.
The UFC granted Anderson a release this past summer, which led to him signing with Bellator.
Anderson is coming off a first-round knockout loss to now-champion Jan Blachowicz at UFC on ESPN+ 25 in February. The loss snapped a four-fight win streak for the 30-year-old, including wins over Johnny Walker, Ilir Latifi, Glover Teixeira and Patrick Cummins.
Anderson is the winner of season 19 of “the Ultimate Fighter.” In the finale, Anderson finished Matt Van Buren by TKO in the opening round in July 2014. He left the UFC with a 10-5 record inside the octagon.
Anderson will face a hefty challenge in the form of Manhoef, who has has 45-plus professional bouts to his name. Manhoef made his professional debut in 1995 and has fought for the likes of ONE FC and Strikeforce.
Manhoef is an eight-time Bellator veteran. He most recently earned a first-round knockout win against Yannick Bahati at Bellator 230 in October 2019.
