Bellator 251: Corey Anderson bloodies, finishes Melvin Manhoef with elbows in Bellator debut

In Bellator debut, Corey Anderson thrashes Melvin Manhoef with elbows.

In his first appearance with Bellator MMA, Corey Anderson scored a second-round TKO of longtime MMA and kickboxing athlete Melvin Manhoef in the main event of Bellator 251 on Nov. 5.

In fact, Anderson outstruck Manhoef 54-1 in the fight, according to the Bellator broadcast. And following the fight, Anderson made it clear he wants a light heavyweight title fight ASAP.

“Feels great man, went just like [how we] planned,” Anderson said. “[Former fighter] Nick Catone taught me to keep it simple. We’re going to do what we did from the beginning. New platform, don’t have to do anything fancy. Just do what we do in sparring.

“I should be fighting whoever’s fighting for the title. Vadim Nemkov, Phil Davis, whoever’s got the belt.”

Corey Anderson obliterates Melvin Manhoef in Bellator debut at Bellator 251

After about a minute of feeling Manhoef out and throwing combinations in the air, Anderson got enough pressure on Manhoef to score a takedown, scoring several shots to the head on the ground. Manhoef was able to get back to his feet with a hook sweep, but he had to fight off an Anderson guillotine during that.

And it didn’t take long for Anderson to get Manhoef back to the ground and land more heavy shots upstairs, with Manhoef not getting to his feet until the end of the first — and he ate a knee to the body from Anderson prior to that.

Anderson took Manhoef down yet again a minute into the second round. While Manhoef had a decent defense, he was unable to do much against Anderson’s ground game, particularly in half-guard. Just over two minutes into the second round, Anderson landed heavy elbows that busted Manhoef open and led to the referee stepping in.

In the time between winning The Ultimate Fighter season 19 in just his fourth pro fight and leaving the UFC earlier this year, Anderson went 10-5 in the Octagon, always sticking around as a light heavyweight contender but never earning a UFC title shot.

Anderson was on a four-fight win streak before it was squashed in a February loss to current UFC light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz.

Bellator 251 takes place on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, live from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. Follow along with FanSided for all your live news and highlights.