The Bellator operation will continue to hum along this year with roughly two dozen events on tap for the organization.

After a 2020 campaign that rolled back on the number of fight cards due to a hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Bellator president Scott Coker is looking to have a busy year.

The exact number of events has not been determined, Coker said. He’s keeping his options flexible while COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out and certain regions loosen pandemic guidelines. But no matter how it shakes out, the goal is to have more cards than the year prior.

Bellator Milan: Edwards vs. Van Steenis was a mixed martial arts event scheduled for September 26, 2020 from Milan, Italy and marked the organization's eighth European Series event. The event aired on Channel 5 in the United Kingdom and featured a middleweight.

• Bellator 255 is expected to take place on April 2, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.The event will be the Bellator's first of the year following a four-month break after Bellator 254. This will be the first Bellator event to air on Showtime, and the first MMA event to air on the network since the Strikeforce: Marquardt vs. Saffiedine event on January 12, 2013.
• With the main event cancelled at the last minute, Bellator officials move Erik Perez vs. Toby Misech into the headlining slot. Misech made the most of the moment and spoiled UFC veteran Perez’s.
• 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2021. Events Bellator 255: Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2 Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2 Bellator 257: Nemkov vs.

“We’ll probably still produce our 22 to 26 events,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “That’s what we’re thinking in the ballpark, then some fights in Europe as things open up. That’s kind of the thought process.”

Coker said his perfect world would see fans attending Bellator events again in volume by the end of 2021. That’s a slightly more long-term ambition, though, and the current discussions revolve around when this year’s schedule will kick off.

A firm date for Bellator’s 2021 debut hasn’t been confirmed, but Coker said the goal is to see at least one event in February.

“As far as starting, we’re probably thinking sometime in February,” Coker said. “We haven’t locked a date down yet, but that’s probably what we’re thinking in February to launch with our first fight of 2021.”

Patricio Freire and Emmanuel Sanchez have a date for their championship rematch.

The two featherweights are set to clash April 2 in the main event of Bellator 255 in Uncasville, Conn., the promotion announced Tuesday. The title bout is part of the Bellator featherweight grand prix semifinals. It’s a rematch from 2018 when Freire (31-4 MMA, 19-4 BMMA) out-pointed Sanchez (20-4 MMA, 12-3 BMMA) at Bellator 209 in Israel.

Last Bellator Event Date

Freire is coming off a first-round knockout of Pedro Carvalho last November at Bellator 252. Freire, who holds both the lightweight and featherweight titles, is currently on a six-fight winning streak. Freire also has defeated Juan Archuleta in his run in the gran prix.

Meanwhile, Sanchez defeated Daniel Weichel at Bellator 252 in November to advance to the semis. Sanchez is on a three-fight wining streak since losing to Freire. The 30-year-old Sanchez has bested Tywan Claxton, as well, in his grand prix run.

Last Bellator Event

The winner of Freire vs. Sanchez 2 will meet A.J. McKee in the final. McKee recently submitted former Bellator champ Darrion Caldwell to advance to the final.