Very few fighters make their professional debut on a stage as big and brightly-lit as Kristina Williams.
Last October, Bellator MMA tapped Williams, a complete unknown on the national level and the owner of a 1-0 amateur record, as the second opponent for star crossover Heather Hardy. The matchup seemed to be in keeping with Bellator’s knack for developing prized prospects sensibly. Hardy, the charismatic, undefeated boxing champion, was getting an opponent of similar experience on paper, but whose striking-oriented style would presumably play in Hardy’s favor.
Except nobody gave Williams a copy of the script, apparently.