A new era in MMA begins today in Belfast, Northern Ireland with the Bellator Champions Series. On this card, a new champion will be crowned and the most decorated champion in the promotion's history will retain the title.
At the main event, corey anderson (18-6) won the vacant Bellator light heavyweight world title in front of a cheering home crowd in Belfast. carl moore (12-3), used good wrestling and top control to earn a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 50-45). With this win, “Overtime” became the eighth 205-pound champion in Bellator history. After the game, Anderson said, “I'm not satisfied with overtime. We have more work to do, and there are more names to beat.''
Best Bellator Athlete of All Time, patricio pitbull (36-7) End with emphasis jeremy kennedy (19-4) landed a strike at 4:07 of the third round of their featherweight world championship bout, earning him a promotional record 24th win under the Bellator banner. After the match, Pitbull declared, “I'm not done yet, Aaron Pico, you're next,'' which could be a stepping stone to future matches between the two promising strikers.
Bellator middleweight champion Johnny Eblen wins a unanimous decision (29-28×3) to become the new No. 1 contender. Fabian Edwards (13-3) over aaron jeffrey (14-5). The 30-year-old Birmingham, England native said two words to the current 185-pound champion after the fight: “I'm coming”, setting the stage for a rematch later this year.
In a match filled with grudges that lasted about two years, Leandro Higo (23-6) won by unanimous decision (29-28 x3) james gallagher (12-3) After a back-and-forth brawl. Both fighters found success on the feet, with Higo landing multiple spinning backfists and Gallagher's jab breaking Higo's guard. Ultimately, Higo's relentless wrestling and ground-and-pound separated him enough in the decisive final round to earn him the nod from the judges.
Main card undefeated match begins Manoel Souza (11-0) A clash against an always exciting team. Tim Wilde (17-5-1) in a lightweight bout. Initially struggling to find his range early on due to Wilde's smooth footwork, Brazil's Souza finally found his target at 4:48 of the first round, resulting in a career He achieved his seventh highlight-reel knockout finish.
The next match in the Bellator Champions Series will take place on May 17th at the Accor Arena in Paris, with the main event featuring: Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0, 1 NC) will look to remain undefeated and retain the lightweight title by locking horns. alexander chablis (23-3), a man who hasn't lost in eight years.Co-headliner will be Bellator bantamweight champion patchy mix Return to action for (19-1) Magomed Magomedov (16-1). Mix and Magomedov resumed their rivalry that began in the 2022 Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix semifinals, a tournament that Mix won.
Additionally, the Bellator Champion Series Dublin main event on Saturday, June 22nd was announced earlier today and will be headlined by the welterweight world champion. jason jackson (18-4) Against the undefeated Ramazan Kramagomedov (12-0) at the 3 Arena in Dublin.
The complete schedule for the 2024 Bellator Champions Series is below.
– Friday, May 17th – Bellator Champions Series Paris – Accor Arena
– Saturday, June 22nd – Bellator Champions Series Dublin – 3Arena
– Saturday, September 7 – Bellator Champions Series San Diego – Pechanga Arena
– Saturday, September 14th – Bellator Champions Series London – OVO Wembley
– Saturday, October 12th – Bellator Champions Series Chicago – Wintrust Arena
– Saturday, November 16th – Bellator Champions Series Paris – ADIDAS Arena
– Tuesday, December 31st – Bellator Champions Series – TBA
Preliminary card results:
ciaran clarke (9-0) Defeat Darius Mafi (4-2) via submission (arm triangle choke), round 3 0:41
alfie davis (17-4-1) Defeat oscar ownsworth (8-3-1) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
rook trainer (8-1) Defeat grant neil (9-2) by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
nathan kelly (10-2) Defeat Vikas Singh Ruhil (12-8) Round 1 40 minute KO (elbow)
abraham babely Defeat (4-0) Isiah Pinson (3-1) By unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Nate Kelly (3:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.) Defeat jordan elliott (2:00-4:00 AM) via Submission (Armbar) at 1:48 of Round 1
