Undefeated flyweight Kana Watanabe will make her debut as a signed Bellator fighter against Alejandra Lara at Bellator 255 on April 2, promotion officials told ESPN. Watanabe (9-0-1), a decorated judoka, has been impressive in Japan's Rizin and DEEP promotions. Lara (9-3) has won two straight. Bellator 255 is headlined by Patricio "Pitbull" Freire vs. Emmanuel Sanchez for the Bellator featherweight title. That bout is also a Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix semifinal.
A scheduled light heavyweight bout between Alonzo Menifield and William Knight is off the UFC Fight Night card on Saturday due to a positive COVID-19 test, the promotion confirmed Thursday. The bout will be rescheduled for UFC 260 on March 27. Menifield (9-2) is looking to snap a two-fight losing streak, while Knight (10-1) has won three straight.
Per sources, UFC has signed former Contender Series contestant Ramazan Kuramagomedov (8-0) to face Alex 'Cowboy' Oliveira at UFC Fight Night on Saturday on short notice. Oliveira lost his original opponent Randy Brown earlier this week.