Breaking: Pedro Carvalho vs Piotr Niedzielski Booked for Bellator 280
Pedro Carvalho has a new opponent for Bellator 280, which takes place on May 6th in Paris, France.
The former title contender was originally scheduled to face promotional newcomer Khasan Askhabov (23-2), but Askhabov will no longer compete due to undisclosed reasons. Instead, Pedro Carvalho will welcome Piotr Niedzielski (16-4) to the Bellator featherweight division.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the news to MyMMANews.com.
SBG Ireland’s Carvalho currently occupies the number 5 spot in the 145lbs division, and “The Game” is coming into the contest off the back of a Unanimous Decision victory over Daniel Weichel, which was one of the fights of the night at Bellator 270 last November in Dublin.
What a final minute to the second round from Pedro Carvalho! 🇵🇹🇮🇪
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) November 5, 2021
He had Weichel on the ropes but the German survived the round!#Bellator270 pic.twitter.com/7gj73EXbJa
Many may have expected Carvalho to face another ranked opponent as he continues his rebuild towards the pinnacle of the division, having previously suffered defeat at the hands of a Patricio “Pitbull” Freire KO in Carvalho’s first title shot. It seems Bellator has other plans though, as one debutant opponent is replaced with another.
Piotr Niedzielski enters the Bellator fray having most recently become the Babilon MMA lightweight champion. “Niedziela” spent the majority of his 20-fight pro career fighting in his native Poland, and the 31-year-old rides an 8-fight win streak into his fight against Carvalho. The bout will mark Niedzielski’s freshman appearance as a featherweight, mostly competing at 155lbs throughout his career.
Bellator 280 will take place on Friday 6th May in Paris, France, headlined by a Heavyweight Championship fight as Ryan Bader defends his throne in a rematch against Cheick Kongo.
