When Corey Anderson asked for his release from the UFC before eventually signing with Bellator MMA, he had a multitude of reasons behind that decision.
Money. Promotional push. Better opportunities.
Those were all at the forefront in Anderson’s mind but he also went to Bellator knowing that the light heavyweight division in the ViacomCBS-owned promotion would offer him a legitimate challenge. Current champion Vadim Nemkov is currently riding a seven-fight win streak capped off by a one-sided performance to take the title away from former UFC contender Ryan Bader.
Of course, Bader still looms large over the division as well as former NCAA champion Phil Davis and ex-UFC champ Lyoto Machida.