Bellator Resigns Light Heavyweight Karl Albrektsson To A Multi-Fight Contract

BELLATOR MMA announced that #7-ranked BELLATOR light heavyweight contender Karl Albrektsson (13-3 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) of Sweden re-signed with the promotion on an exclusive, multi-fight contract. 

Fans from Karl Albrektsson native Sweden and the rest of the Nordics region can watch BELLATOR events on Pluto TV beginning on June 24 with BELLATOR 282: Mousasi vs. Eblen. 

Albrektsson, 28, has been stellar in his BELLATOR career to date. Since signing with the promotion in 2019, Albrektsson has amassed an impressive resume, defeating two talented foes in Viktor Nemkov, the brother of BELLATOR light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov, and former ACA champion Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov, who later appeared in the BELLATOR World Light Heavyweight Grand Prix. His lone BELLATOR loss came in his promotional debut to former champion Phil Davis. 

In Davis’ post-fight interview with John McCarthy after defeating Albrektsson, the former champion said, “I actually trained with Albrektsson once in Sweden. He’s not to be slept on. He is, through and through, one of the toughest guys in the gym, one of the hardest workers in the gym. I knew right away, he’s bringing it.”

Albrektsson is a decorated martial artist. He earned the gold medal at the 2014 European Wushu Championships and brought home a bronze medal at the 2015 World Wushu Championships, and he has competed twice in RIZIN Fighting Federation Grand Prix tournaments. 

A strong wrestler with heavy kicks and ground and pound strikes, Albrektsson has dominated opponents on the Swedish and international scenes since 2012. His two non-BELLATOR losses came in 2016 and 2017 to #1-ranked BELLATOR heavyweight Valentin Moldavsky and UFC title challenger Jiri Procházka, respectively. 

By re-signing with BELLATOR, Albrektsson will look to continue his ascent up the light heavyweight rankings. The Swedish standout already holds a win over current BELLATOR title-holder Vadim Nemkov (as well as his brother, Viktor), whom he defeated in 2016. 

With several additional wins, it would not be surprising to see Albrektsson once more enter the cage against Nemkov, this time with championship implications. Nemkov will first have to get through Grand Prix finalist Corey Anderson, whose fight with Nemkov at BELLATOR 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 ended in a No Contest due to an incidental headbutt. 

The six-foot-two Albrektsson is a promising contender in one of BELLATOR’s premier weight classes, and he will look to become the face of the promotion in his native country of Sweden and the surrounding Nordic countries as he continues his quest for championship gold.