Bellator 181 pre-event facts: Joe Warren ties all-time record with 18th Bellator bout

Three weeks removed from the biggest event in company history, Bellator returns Friday with Bellator 181, which takes place at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla.

The main card, which airs on Spike following prelims on MMAjunkie, has experienced a variety of changes, but the final product sees Derek Campos (18-6 MMA, 7-4 BMMA) fight lightweight Brandon Girtz (14-6 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) in a trilogy bout.

They’ve split results in the previous encounters, but now one side will have the chance to close out the rivalry by winning the best-of-three series.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the remainder of the card, check out 20 pre-event facts about Bellator 181.

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Main event

Derek Campos

Campos and Girtz become the second fighters in Bellator history to compete against the same opponent three or more times under the promotional banner. Patricio Freire and Daniel Straus, who have fought four times, are the others.

Campos’ three-fight winning streak is tied for the longest of his Bellator career.

Campos has earned five of his seven Bellator victories by decision.

Girtz enters the event on the first two-fight losing skid of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since November 2015.

Girtz has earned 11 of his 15 career victories by stoppage. That includes four of his six Bellator wins.

Co-main event

Emily Ducote

Emily Ducote (5-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) competes in her fifth Bellator women’s flyweight bout, tied with Ilima Macfarlane for the most appearances in divisional history.

Ducote’s three Bellator stoppage victories in women’s flyweight competition are tied with Macfarlane for most in divisional history.

Ducote’s three Bellator submission victories in women’s flyweight competition are tied with Macfarlane for most in divisional history.

Remaining main card

Joe Warren

Joe Warren (14-6 MMA, 12-5 BMMA), 40, is the oldest of the eight fighters scheduled to compete on the main card.

Warren is the only fighter in Bellator history to win titles in two weight classes. He is a former featherweight and bantamweight titleholder.

Warren competes in his 18th Bellator bout, tied with Patricio Freire and David Rickels for most appearances in company history.

Warren competes in his 13th Bellator bantamweight bout, the most appearances in divisional history.

Warren’s 12 victories in Bellator competition are tied for third most in company history behind Freire (14) and Michael Chandler (13).

Warren’s eight victories in Bellator bantamweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Eduardo Dantas (10).

Warren has alternated wins and losses over his past six fights. He suffered a loss in his most recent bout at Bellator 166 in December.

Steve Garcia (7-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA), 25, is the youngest of the eight scheduled main card fighters.

Kendall Grove

Kendall Grove (23-16 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) is 5-5 in his past 10 fights dating back to 2013.

Grove has earned three of his four Bellator victories by stoppage.

Grove has suffered all three of his Bellator losses by knockout.

John Salter (13-3 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) has earned all of his career victories by stoppage. He’s also been stopped inside the distance in all his losses.

For more on Bellator 181, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.