Bellator 251 results, highlights: Corey Anderson makes thunderous debut with TKO of Melvin Manhoef

Anderson made it look easy on Thursday night against the legend in Connecticut

Stripped of the pressure to be the fighter he isn't after leaving UFC, light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson went back to his wrestling roots to make Thursday night's Bellator MMA debut a successful one. 

Anderson (14-5) made easy work of hard-hitting combat legend Melvin Manhoef in the main event of Bellator 251 with clean takedowns and some dominant ground-and-pound en route to a second-round TKO inside the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. 

Not only was this the 31-year-old Anderson's first appearance since snapping a four-fight win streak in February when he was knocked out by current UFC champion Jan Blachowicz, the victory marked a successful return from a subsequent health scare in the aftermath, which included a concussion caused by a fall and a heart condition that put the future of his career in question. 

Anderson looked like nothing but a bonafide title contender in his debut appearance under the Bellator MMA banner. More importantly for Anderson, he was happy to eschew both the uncharacteristic trash talking and reliance upon his standup game that helped make the end of his UFC run make him feel like anything but himself. 

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"I'm feeling great and it went just like we planned," Anderson said. "Me and [coach] Nick Catone talked all week about keeping it simple. We are going to do what we did from the beginning,  nothing fancy. Like [coach] Mark Henry said, we are going to do what we do all the time in sparring."

Although Manhoef (32-15-1, 2 NC) brought with him the reputation of one-strike knockout power in all four limbs, Anderson never allowed him the time or space to get anything done. Anderson scored a pair of takedowns in Round 1 with ease and spent the majority of the five minutes landing short right hands from top position. 

The 44-year-old Manhoef was so overwhelmed by the mauling pressure that he was out-struck 38-1 in the opening frame. 

The second round featured more of the same as Anderson secured an early takedown and answered his corner's call to look for a finish by rising to his knees and landing a trio of short elbows, the third of which opened a gash on Manhoef's forehead and caused referee Todd Anderson to jump in at 2:34 to end the fight. 

"[My corner] said one more takedown and this was over," Anderson said. "I did exactly what the coaches told me."

Despite having just made his debut, Anderson shared his hope of fighting for the Bellator 205-pound title next whether the belt is still around the waist of unbeaten Vadim Nemkov or not. 

"I should be fighting whoever has the title. If it's Nemkov or Phil Davis, whoever is fighting for the title, I'm ready," Anderson said. "Let's go. Whoever has that strap, come see me."

CBS Sports was with you throughout the evening for the latest updates, highlights and results from the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut with our live blog below. Stay tuned for updates all night long.

Bellator 251 card, results

• Corey Anderson def. Melvin Manhoef via second-round TKO (punches, elbows)
• Tyrell Fortune def. Said Sowma via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Austin Vanderford def. Vinicius De Jesus via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
• Derek Anderson def. Killys Mota via second-round TKO (kick)

[Nov 5, 2020 at 9:00 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ANDERSON: "I'm feeling great and it went just like we planned. Me and [coach] Nick Catone talked all week about keeping it simple. We are going to do what we did from the beginning. Nothing fancy. Like Mark Henry said, we are going to do what we do all the time in sparring.

"[My corner] said one more takedown and this was over. I did exactly what the coaches told me.

"I should be fighting whoever has the title. If it's [Vadim] Nemkov or Phil Davis, whoever is fighting for the title, I'm ready. Let's go. Whoever has that strap, come see me."

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:55 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Strong performance from Anderson in his Bellator debut.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:55 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R2: Referee Todd Anderson jumps in and that will do it.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:55 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R2: Anderson sits up and lands some brutal short elbows and right hands to buts Manhoef open.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:53 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 2: Anderson scores another takedown to open things up. He's mauling Manhoef with right hands.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:53 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Anderson outlanded Manhoef 38-1 in strikes in the opening round.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:49 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Manhoef sweeps to regain his feet. Anderson changes levels and takes him back down. Big right hands as Anderson mounts up from his knees.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:48 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Anderson mixes in elbows and is fully controlling Manhoef from top position.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:48 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Short punches land for Anderson from side position.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:47 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R1: Anderson shoots early but Manhoef stuffs him with his back to the cage. Anderson picks him up with ease, however, and slams the veteran down.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:46 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

ROUND 1: Anderson misses a right hand but steps forward and can't keep Manhoef in his grip while trying to clinch.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:46 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Referee Todd Anderson is the third man in the cage for the main event.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:41 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

It's main event time. Former UFC light heavyweight contender Corey Anderson makes his Bellator debut against hard-hitting legend Melvin Manhoef.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:35 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

Scorecards: 29-28, 29-28 and 29-28 for Tyrell Fortune.

[Nov 5, 2020 at 8:32 pm ET · Brian Campbell]

R3: Standing clinch from Sowma but Fortune easily dumps him to the ground and takes his back.