Valerie Loureda will make her return to the cage at Bellator 271 on Nov. 12 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., but it won’t be on the Showtime-televised main card.
Instead, “Master” will be taking on Taylor Turner on the YouTube “Prelims.”
Her placement on the card definitely got a few people rattled, seeing as how the promotion was putting a ton of marketing muscle behind Loureda in previous bouts, despite the fact that she only has three pro fights under her belt.
Among the outspoken critics is UFC co-founder Campbell McLaren, head honcho of Combate Global, who says stashing a high-profile attraction like Loureda on the YouTube “Prelims” is a “crime against humanity.”
Putting @valerielouredaa on the undercard and not on Showtime is a crime against humanity. OK a bit of hyperbole but @combateglobal would put her in front of a massive TV audience. https://t.co/QaAsVgnlap
— Campbell McLaren (@campbellcombate) October 28, 2021
Loureda is coming off a loss to Hannah Guy at Bellator 259 last May, the first defeat of her young mixed martial arts (MMA) career. Once ranked as high as No. 8 on the official Bellator rankings, Loureda is no longer on the list at the moment.
Bellator 271 will feature the return of women’s Featherweight champion Cris Cyborg, who will defend her belt against Sinead Kavanagh. In the co-main event, Linton Vassell will face Tyrell Fortune in Heavyweight action, while Aaron Pico returns to face Justin Gonzales.
Rounding out the main card will be Arlene Blencowe taking on Pam Sorenson at 145 pounds and Steve Mowry facing Rakim Cleveland — who will be making his Bellator debut — in the fast-growing Heavyweight division.
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