Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2 took place on April 9, 2021 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.  The event was headlined by a Quarterfinal of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament. The headliner will be a rematch between former Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion Ryan Bader and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Lyoto Machida.

Bellator 256: Bader vs. Machida 2

Sergei Kharitonov vs. Cheick Kongo (Heavyweight)  Logan Storley vs. Dante Schiro (Welterweight)  Billy Swanson vs. Marcelo Golm (Heavyweight)  Keith Lee vs. Jornel Lugo (Catchweight)

Bellator 265: Kongo vs. Kharitonov

Juliana Velasquez vs. Liz Carmouche (Flyweight)  Enrique Barzola vs. Nikita Mikhailov (Bantamweight)  Jornel Lugo vs. Danny Sabatello (Bantamweight)  Christian Edwards vs. Grant Neal (Light Heavyweight)  Manny Muro vs. Nate Andrews (Catchweight 160lb)

Bellator 278: Velasquez vs. Carmouche

Gegard Mousasi (c) vs. Austin Vanderford (Middleweight)  Leah McCourt vs. Sinead Kavanagh (Featherweight)  Ciaran Clarke vs. Abou Tounkara (Featherweight)  Khasan Magomedsharipov vs. Jose Sanchez (Featherweight)  Brian Moore vs. Jornel Lugo (Bantamweight)

Bellator 275: Mousasi vs. Vanderford

Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko (Heavyweight)  Johnny Eblen vs. Anatoly Tokov (Middleweight)  Sabah Homasi vs. Brennan Ward (Welterweight)