Category Archives: mixed martial arts

OFFICIAL RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 252: PITBULL VS. CARVALHO

COMPLETE EVENT PHOTOS HERE
 
COMPLETE POST-FIGHT VIDEO INTERVIEWS
 
Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Main Card: 
Patricio “Pitbull” (31-4) defeated Pedro Carvalho (11-4) via KO (punch) at 2:10 of round one
Yaroslav Amosov (25-0) defeated Logan Storley (11-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Emmanuel Sanchez (20-4) defeated Daniel Weichel (40-12) via unanimous decision (48-46, 49-46, 49-45)
 
Preliminary Card: 
Aaron Pico (7-3) defeated John de Jesus (13-9) via KO (punch) at 4:12 of round two
Keri Taylor Melendez (5-0) defeated Emilee King (4-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:02 of round one
Manny Muro (12-6) defeated Devin Powell (10-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo (5-0) defeated Schyler Sootho (4-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lucas Brennan (4-0) defeated Andrew Salas (6-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Roman Faraldo (4-0) defeated Pat Casey (6-4) via (TKO) punches at 2:30 of round two
Trevor Gudde (2-1) defeated Khonry Gracie (2-2) via TKO (knee) at 3:28 of round three
  
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

iKON Fighting Federation RETURNS TO MEXICO

iKON 3 STREAMING LIVE & EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS® 

Nov. 20 FROM MARINATERRA HOTEL SPA & EVENT CENTER IN SAN CARLOS 

LAS VEGAS (November 10, 2020) – Many of Mexico’s top mixed-martial-arts fighters will be in action Friday night, November 20th, at iKON 3, streaming live and exclusively on UFC FIGHT PASS®, starting at 11 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. PT, from Marinaterra Hotel Spa & Event Center in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. 

To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com or download the UFC app. 

iKON 3 is presented by iKON Fighting Federation (in association with Roy Jones Jr. Boxing) and De La O Promotions. 

Two highly rated Mexican lightweights, No. 5 Alejandro “El Pato” Martinez (11-4-0) and No. 7 Daniel “Danger” Vega (12-3-0), headline iKON 3.  Martinez has won two fights in a row, while Vega has been victorious in five of his last six matches. 

South America and Mexico’s top-rated flyweight, Louis “Lazyboy” Rodriguez (11-2-0) faces Paul “El Tierno” Marquez Moreno (6-5-0) in the co-featured event.

A pair of Mexican lightweights with identical records (10-3-0), Marco “La Roca” Elpidio and Oziel “El Terro” Rodriguez Lopez, throwdown in a Special Lightweight Attraction. 

Tucson (AZ) super welterweight Pete “Dead Game” Rodriguez (1-0-0, SFT: 1-0-0), who made his successful pro debut at iKON 2, in which he used a strong ground-and-pound attack to stop his opponent, battles Yasser “Pantera” Guzman Delacruz (0-1-0) 

Other fights on tap include Miami super lightweight Elvin Espinosa (3-0-0) vs. TBA, female flyweight Kayla “K-Rock” Hracho (1-2-0), fighting out of Coconut Creed, Florida, vs. Jessica “Asthartea” Solis (0-1-0), and pro-debuting Mexican featherweights Luis “Mano” Gerardo Carcia and Francisco Montoya Barcena.    

Card subject to change. 

INFORMATION:  

Websites:   http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.comwww.ufcfightpass.com  

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre  

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial 

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing 

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing.  RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years.  Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.    


Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: NABF super flyweight champion, WBC #15, WBA #14 and IBF #7 Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (15-0, 10 KOs), two-time world title challenger WBO #11 bantamweight “Mighty” Aston Palicte (26-4-1, 22 KOs), former NABA welterweight champion Kendo ‘Tremendo” Castaneda (17-2, 8 KOs), former Interim World middleweight title challenger John “The Phenom” Vera (19-1 (1 KO), NABF, WBC FECARBOX & WBC U.S. welterweight champion, WBC #14 and Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (22-0, 17 KOs), undefeated middleweight prospect Connor “Kid” Coyle (12-0, 5 KOs), undefeated super middleweight prospect Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs), and former WBC World Youth heavyweight Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-3-1, 16 KOs).  

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

RJJ Boxing & iKON Fighting Federation Return to Mexico for back-to-back events

STREAMING LIVE & EXCLUSIVELY ON UFC FIGHT PASS® 

Nov. 19 & 20 FROM MARINATERRA HOTEL SPA IN SAN CARLOS 

LAS VEGAS (November 2, 2020) – Roy Jones Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions and iKON Fighting Federation (iKON) return to Mexico for back-to-back combat sports events, November 19th an 20th, at Marinaterra Hotel Spa in San Carlos, Sonora, Mexico. 

RJJ Boxjng and iKON MMA will be streamed live on UFC FIGHT PASS®, the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports.  To sign up for UFC FIGHT PASS, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com or download the UFC app. 

“We’ve really enjoyed working the past few months with co-promoter Emanuel Romo (De La O Promotions) and Marinaterra Hotel and Spa has been a gracious host” said Keith Veltre, CEO/co-founder of RJJ Boxing.  “Things will be a little different this trip, though, because we’ve separated boxing and MMA into two nights of combat sports entertainment.  RJJ Boxing features a great super middleweight title fight between undefeated Juan Barajas and Mexican knockout artist Bruno Sandoval.  As usual, we’ll showcase some promising prospects in real fights. iKON is growing fast, and our third MMA event promises to be our best yet.” 

Boxing is scheduled to start streaming Thursday (Nov. 19) live on UFC FIGHT PASS, starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, followed on Friday (Nov. 20) with MMA action, commencing 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT. 

In the 10-round main event, Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs), fighting out of Victorville, California, puts his unblemished pro record on the line against dangerous Bruno “Tiburon” Sandoval (21-4-1, 17 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino super middleweight championship. 

Three unbeaten Cuban prospects living in Guatemala – middleweight Yoelvis “La Joya” Gomez (2-0, 2 KOs), heavyweight Geovany “La Bestia” Bruzon (2-0, 2 “KOs) and super bantamweight Ariel Perez De La Torre (3-0, 3 KOs) — are slated to be in 6-round bouts versus opponents to be determined.  Unbeaten California welterweight Raiden “Mortal Kombat” Jace Martinez (5-0, 5 KOs) is also scheduled to fight in a 4-rounder against TBA.   

Two highly rated Mexican lightweights, Alejandro “El Pato” Martinez (11-4-0) and Daniel “Danger” Vega (12-3-0), headline iKON 3.   

Additional iKON 3 matches will soon be announced.   

Cards subject to change. 

INFORMATION:  

Websites:   http://www.RoyJonesJrBoxing.comwww.ufcfightpass.com  

Facebook: /UFCFightPass, /KeithVeltre  

Twitter: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @Keith_Veltre, @RoyjonesJRfa @RoyJonesJrOfficial 

Instagram: @iKONFightingFederation, @UFCFightPass, @KeithVeltre, @RoyJonesJrBoxing 

ABOUT ROY JONES JR, BOXING PROMOTIONS: Co-founded in 2013 by 10-time world champion Roy Jones, Jr. and Keith Veltre, Roy Jones, Jr. (RJJ) Boxing Promotions is on its way to reinventing boxing.  RJJ has already made a huge impact in the boxing community in a few short years.  Creating exhilarating content for UFC Fight Pass, CBS Sports, Showtime, ESPN and beIN Sports in some of the finest venues across the country, RJJ has proven it is conquering the sweet science of the sport.    


Based in the fight capital of the world, Las Vegas, NV, Roy Jones Jr. Boxing Promotions is climbing to the top at a fast pace, adding young talent to its growing stable: NABF super flyweight champion, WBC #15, WBA #14 and IBF #7 Jade “Hurricane” Bornea (15-0, 10 KOs), two-time world title challenger WBO #11 bantamweight “Mighty” Aston Palicte (26-4-1, 22 KOs), former NABA welterweight champion Kendo ‘Tremendo” Castaneda (17-2, 8 KOs), former Interim World middleweight title challenger John “The Phenom” Vera (19-1 (1 KO), NABF, WBC FECARBOX & WBC U.S. welterweight champion, WBC #14 and Santiago “Somer” Dominguez (22-0, 17 KOs), undefeated middleweight prospect Connor “Kid” Coyle (12-0, 5 KOs), undefeated super middleweight prospect Juan “Just Business” Barajas (11-0, 7 KOs), and former WBC World Youth heavyweight Alexander “The Great” Flores (18-2-1, 16 KOs).  

ABOUT UFC FIGHT PASS®UFC FIGHT PASS® is the world’s leading digital subscription service for combat sports. Since launching in 2013, UFC FIGHT PASS is now available in more than 200 countries and territories. UFC FIGHT PASS provides its members with unlimited access to live UFC FIGHT PASS Prelims; live mixed martial arts and combat sports from around the world; original series and historical programming; special features; behind-the-scenes content; in-depth interviews; and up-to-the minute reports on the world of combat sports. UFC FIGHT PASS subscribers also have 24/7 access to the world’s largest fight library, featuring more than 20,000 bouts from dozens of combats sports organizations, as well as every fight in UFC history. Fight fans can access UFC FIGHT PASS on personal computers, iOS and Android mobile devices, Apple TV, Xbox One, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Roku, Samsung Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs, and Sony TVs with Android TV. For more information, please visit www.ufcfightpass.com

OFFICIAL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS FOR BELLATOR 250: MOUSASI VS. LIMA

COMPLETE EVENT PHOTOS
 
Bellator 250: Mousasi vs. Lima Main Card:
Gegard Mousasi (47-7-2) defeated Douglas Lima (32-8) via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46)
Henry Corrales (18-5) defeated Brandon Girtz (16-10) via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Dalton Rosta (4-0) defeated Ty Gwerder (5-2) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
 
Preliminary Card:
Jake Hager (3-0, 1 NC) defeated Brandon Calton (2-1) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Sabah Homasi (14-8) defeated Bobby Voelker (33-14) via knockout (punches) at :20 of round two
Johnny Eblen (7-0) defeated Taylor Johnson (6-2) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Adam Borics (15-1) defeated Erick Sanchez (9-6) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Cody Law (1-0) defeated Orlando Ortega (0-1) via submission (D’Arce Choke) at 2:41 of round one
 

BELLATOR MMA CHAMPION ILIMA-LEI MACFARLANE DEFENDS FLYWEIGHT WORLD TITLE AGAINST UNDEFEATED JULIANA VELASQUEZ ON THURSDAY, DEC. 10

LOS ANGELES – On Thursday, December 10, Bellator MMA presents a long-awaited world title bout featuring a clash of undefeated flyweights, as champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0) defends her 125-pound championship belt against Brazil’s Juliana Velasquez (10-0) at Bellator 254. The event airs live on CBS Sports Network from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
 
CBS Sports Network will air Bellator 254: Macfarlane vs. Velasquez LIVE in all U.S. markets, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced at a later date.
 
Returning to the Bellator cage for the first time since a victory over Kate Jackson in her hometown of Honolulu last December, Macfarlane will look to continue her dominance over Bellator’s elite woman’s flyweight division as she defends her title against Julianna Velasquez on December 10. The inaugural Bellator flyweight champion, Macfarlane enters the contest with a perfect professional record of 11-0, including eight coming by way of stoppage. Adding to her impressive resume, “The Ilimanator” has the most victories amongst women in the Bellator cage (10) and has no plans of slowing down, as she seeks to add to her legacy inside the cage with her fifth successful title defense at Bellator 254.
 
With a professional record of 10-0, Rio de Janeiro’s Juliana Velasquez looks to remain perfect in her first chance at Bellator gold. The black belt judoka will attempt to become the second women’s flyweight champion in Bellator history when she looks to extend her promotional winning streak to six. With prior stoppage wins over Rebecca Ruth and Kristina Williams, Velasquez also defeated former 125-pound title challenger Alejandra Lara en route to her upcoming title shot. Much like Macfarlane, the 34-year-old Team Nogueira-product will be competing for the first time in 2020, nearly a year removed from her Bellator 236 unanimous decision victory over Bruna Ellen.
 
Updated Bellator 254: Macfarlane vs. Velasquez Main Card:
CBS Sports Network | DAZN
 
Flyweight World Title Bout: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0) vs. Juliana Velasquez (10-0)
 
*Card subject to change.
 
Please visit Bellator.com for additional information.

SFT strawweight title fight headlines “SFT 22: The Return” Oct. 31 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

SAO PAULO, Brazil (October 26, 2020) – Halloween Night in Sao Paulo will mark the return of live SFT MMA & Xtreme (Standout Fighting Tournament) mixed-martial-arts shows in Brazil, as “SFT 22: The Return,” features an all-female main card in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month, headlined by Andreia “Thai” Serafim (4-0-0, SFT: 2-0-0) versus fellow Brazilian Pamela Mara Assis (4-2-1, 2-0-0) for the vacant SFT female strawweight title. 

SFT 22: The Return  will be aired live on network television in Brazil in English and Portuguese, as well as streamed live in the United States and worldwide on pay per view via the FITE app and website (www.FITE.tv), starting at 10:45 p.m. EST / 7:45 p.m. PST, for only $14.99.   

“In the main fight of the night,” “SFT president David Hudson said, “the SFT strawweight title will be at stake. Undefeated in MMA with four victories, including two in SFT competition, Andreia ‘Thai’ Serafim will measure her strength against Pamela Mara Assis, who, like her opponent, comes is unbeaten in the SFT in two fights. The co-featured event, Karine ‘Killer’ Silva faces always tough Sidy Rocha, former Pancrase bantamweight champion, who will be making her SFT.debut.” 

An assistant “hodman,” (a laborer for a bricklayer or mason carrying bricks, mortar, and cement), Serafim will be challenged by Assis, who has won her last four fights in a row. 

“I respect her (Serafim) consistent ground game and I believe our fight will be a classic ground game,” Assis commented, “but I’m not just going to fight in one MMA mode.  I feel good and I’m ready in all areas.  I will be prepared for whatever comes fight night. 

“I always expect to bring my best.  I’m always working hard to get good results and I want to realize my dream of winning this SFT belt, and proving I belong at the top of my weight class.  We’re going into this fight in search of a big win and I’m working daily to give MMA fans a good fight.”  

Silva (12-4-0, SFT: 1-0-0) and Rocha (12-7-2, SFT: 9-0-0) are well matched in a battle of Brazilian bantamweights, while strawweight Julia Polastri (7-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0) risks her 5-fight win streak  against Jessica “So Na Manha” Evelyn Cunha (8-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0). 

Brazil vs. Argentina is always a fierce rivalry in any sport, especially MMA, and the renewal pits Brazilian strawweight Bianca Sattelmayer versus her Argentinian opponent, Florencia Greco, in an SFT Xtreme match (SFT Xtreme allows striking, kicking and knees with 4-ounce gloves; clinching and fighting on the mat is prohibited).   

Brazilian bantamweights Thalita Diniz (2-1-0, SFT: 0-1-0) and Claudia Leite (4-2-0, SFT: 2-1-0), and in a grappling match, Isabela “Belinha” de Padua (5-2-0, SFT: 4-0-0 MMA) and Patricia Barbosa de Sousa MMA) will fight at a 128-pound catchweight.  Padua is, who is now a UFC fighter, returns to SFT to grapple.  She won all four of her SFT MMA fights and three weeks after her last SFT match, she signed with UFC.  

“We’re really excited about this unique event,” Hudson concluded.  “SFT’s return to Brazil is a special event because it’s for Breast Cancer Awareness.  The main event has all the ingredients to be one of the best female fights in years.  Our Xtreme fight showcases the ultimate rivalry in sports, Brazil versus Argentina. SFT 23promises to be a memorable evening of female combat sports action.” 

INFORMATION: 

Website: www.sftmma.com 

Facebook: /SFT.MMA, /SFT.Xtreme, davidhudson.SFT 

Twitter: @SFTMMA 

Instagram: @SFTMMA, @SFTEXTREME, @DavidHudson.SFT 

You Tube: /SFTUSA, /SFTBrasil 

“SFT 22: The Return” for Breast Cancer Awareness Oct. 31 in Sao Paulo, Brazil

SAO PAULO, Brazil (October 19, 2020) – SFT MMA & Xtreme’s (Standout Fighting Tournament) rescheduled “SFT 22: The Return”, originally scheduled for August 1st but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been replaced by an all-female main card in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month,  to be held Halloween night (Saturday, Oct. 31) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. 

SFT 22: The Return  will be aired live on network television in Brazil in English and Portuguese, as well as streamed live in the United States and worldwide on pay per view via the FITE app and website (www.FITE.tv), starting at 10:45 p.m. EST / 7:45 p.m. PST, for only $14.99.   

“Two years ago,” SFT president David Hudson said, “we dedicated our card to Breast Cancer Awareness.  It was an all-female card: fighters, referees, and cut-women.  Even two of our ring-card girls brought their boyfriends to be ring-card boys.  It was the first time in Brazil’s long MMA history that featured an all-female event. The first year I had joined SFT less than three months earlier and we weren’t able to get enough women fighters, so the main card was all-females. 

“Earlier this year, prior to the pandemic, we were going to promote a card for International Women’s Day.  We’re promoting SFT: 22 for Breast Cancer Awareness with a six-fight all-female card.” 

The main event will pit undefeated Andreia “Thai” Serafim (4-0-0, SFT: 2-0-0) against Pamela Mara Assis (4-2-1, SFT: 2-0-0) for the vacant SFT Strawweight Championship.  Undefeated Sarafim is an assistant “hodman,” a laborer for a bricklayer or mason who carries bricks, mortar, and cement. Both title challengers are undefeated in SFT action with identical 2-0-0 records.  Assis is riding a 4-fight win streak 

In the co-featured event, Karina “Killer” Silva (12-4-0, SFT: 1-0-0) takes on Sidy Rocha (12-7-2, SFT: 9-0-0) in a battle of Brazilian bantamweights, and strawweightJulia Polastri (7-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0) puts her 5-fight win streak on the line against Jessica “So Na Manha” Evelyn Cunha (8-2-0, SFT: 0-0-0). 

Brazil vs. Argentina is always a fierce rivalry in any sport and Brazilian strawweight Bianca Sattelmayer meets her Argentinian opponent, Florencia Greco, in an SFT Xtreme match (SFT Xtreme allows striking, kicking and knees with 4-ounce gloves; clinching and fighting on the mat is prohibited).   

Brazilian bantamweights Thalita Diniz (2-1-0, SFT: 0-1-0) and Claudia Leite (4-2-0, SFT: 2-1-0) square off, while Isabela “Belinha” de Padua (5-2-0, SFT: 4-0-0 MMA) and Patricia Barbosa de Sousa MMA) will fight at a 128-pound catchweight. 

“We’re really excited about this unique event,” Hudson concluded.  “It’s a nice coincidence that we return to Brazil promoting a special event like this for Breast Cancer Awareness, in addition to showcasing the strength of Brazilian women MMA fighters.  There’s still some bias against female fighters, but women always give their best in fights. 

“The main event has the recipe to be one of the best female fights in years.  Our Xtreme fight is Brazil versus Argentina and this is the ultimate rivalry. I’m sure fans will be talking about this night for a long time.” 

INFORMATION: 

Website: www.sftmma.com 

Facebook: /SFT.MMA, /SFT.Xtreme, davidhudson.SFT 

Twitter: @SFTMMA 

Instagram: @SFTMMA, @SFTEXTREME, @DavidHudson.SFT 

You Tube: /SFTUSA, /SFTBrasil 

OFFICIAL BELLATOR 249: CYBORG VS. BLENCOWE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS & PHOTOS

Complete Event Photos Here
 
Bellator 249: Cyborg vs. Blencowe Main Card:
Cris “Cyborg” (23-2) defeated Arlene Blencowe(13-8) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:46 of round two
Leandro Higo (20-5) defeated Ricky Bandejas(13-5) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:32 of round two
Steve Mowry (8-0) defeated Shawn Teed (6-3-1) via TKO at 4:22 of round one
Saad Awad (23-13, 1 NC) and Mandel Nallo(7-1, 1 NC) ended in a no contest (unintentional low blow)
Preliminary Card:
Andrew Kapel(16-7) defeated Joseph Creer(7-2-1) via TKO (doctor’s stoppage – cut) at 5:00 of round two
Kemran Lachinov(10-2) defeated Kyle Crutchmer(6-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Christian Edwards(4-0) defeated Hamza Salim(5-4) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:38 of round two
Da’mon Blackshear (8-3) defeated Mike Kimbel (3-3) via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:14 of round two 
Aviv Gozali(5-0) defeated Logan Neal(1-1) via submission (kimura) at 3:22 of round one
Albert Gonzales(2-2) defeated Kastriot Xhema(3-5, 1 NC) via TKO (fighter retirement) at 5:00 of round two

BELLATOR MMA FEATHERWEIGHT WORLD GRAND PRIX RESUMES LIVE ON CBS SPORTS NETWORK BEGINNING NOV. 12

CHAMP PATRICIO ‘PITBULL’ DEFENDS HIS TITLE IN QUARTERFINAL MATCHUP AGAINST PEDRO CARVALHO, WHILE DANIEL WEICHEL FACES EMMANUEL SANCHEZ

PLUS, DARRION CALDWELL MEETS UNDEFEATED AJ MCKEE IN SEMIFINALS ON NOV. 19


 
LOS ANGELES — The Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix resumes Thursday, Nov. 12 with two quarterfinal matchups set to take place, as champ Patricio “Pitbull” (30-14) defends his title against Pedro Carvalho (11-3), while Daniel Weichel (40-11) and Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4) square off in a battle of former title contenders. Additionally, the first semifinal bout is set for Thursday, Nov. 19, when former titleholder Darrion Caldwell (15-3) squares off with undefeated AJ McKee (16-0) for a spot in the tournament finals. All the action airs LIVE on CBS Sports Network at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
 
In the main event of Bellator 252 on Nov. 12, fans will see a featherweight world title bout with two-division Bellator champion Patricio “Pitbull” defending his 145-pound crown against SBG Ireland’s Carvalho. In addition to the five-round championship headliner, a second Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix quarterfinal will go downas two former title challengers in Weichel and Sanchez meet again following a razor-thin split decision-victory for Weichel in 2016. The winners of these two bouts can expect to see each other in the next semifinal matchup.
 
The Bellator 253 headliner on Nov. 19 sees former bantamweight world champion Caldwell go toe-to-toe with rising prospect McKee on the other side of the bracket in the first semifinal. The winner earns a guaranteed spot in the finals and a shot at the Bellator world title and a chance to take home one million dollars.
 
All three Featherweight World Grand Prix bouts were initially slated to take place at the postponed Bellator 241 and Bellator 244 events prior to the COVID-19 pandemic effectively putting the yearlong tournament on hiatus.
 
CBS Sports Network will air Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho and Bellator 253: Caldwell vs. McKee LIVE in all U.S. markets at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, while preliminary matchups will stream on CBSSports.com and Bellator MMA’s YouTube channel. Additional bouts will be announced at a later date.
 
Hailing from Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, two-time featherweight champ Patricio “Pitbull” will enter the Bellator cage for a promotional record 23rd time on Nov. 12. With impressive wins to his credit over Michael Chandler, Daniel Straus (x3), Daniel Weichel (x2) and Pat Curran, the 33-year old continues on in the Featherweight World Grand Prix not far removed from his lightweight championship victory in May of last year. Having earned a finish in 21 of his 30 wins as a professional, the simultaneous two-division champion most recently bested current bantamweight champion Juan Archuleta on the scorecards in an exciting opening round World Grand Prix matchup and fans can certainly expect more fireworks when he finally sets his sights on Carvalho.   
 
Portuguese submission specialist Pedro Carvalho will be entering the Bellator cage for just the fifth time in his eight-year professional career, looking for his seventh consecutive victory and his first world title victory. With victories in nine of his last 11 contests, including against Derek Campos, Daniel Crawfordand a face crank-submission over Sam Sicilia in the opening round, the 25-year-old SBG Ireland-product is on the cusp of greatness – and winning the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix would be the perfect way to solidify it. 
 
With over 50 professional fights to his name, Germany’s Daniel Weichel is ready to make his 2020 debut in a highly anticipated World Grand Prix quarterfinal bout with Sanchez, a fighter Weichel got the better of four years ago at Bellator 159. Following his Bellator debut in 2014, “Drake” has enjoyed an impressive promotional mark of 9-3, including pivotal victories over Sanchez, Pat Curran, Georgi Karakhanyan and Saul Rogers.  
 
On the heels of yet another masterful performance that ended in a submission victory over Tywan Claxton in the opening round of the World Grand Prix, “El Matador” is ready for another title run as he prepares for the 50-fight veteran and the man who beat him once before, Daniel Weichel. Since joining forces with Bellator in 2014, the Milwaukee, Wisc.-resident has collected 11 victories over a 14-fight stint, including key wins over the likes of Claxton, Daniel Straus, Marcos Galvao and Georgi Karakhanyan (2x). 
 
Having needed just one round to put away his last opponent via submission in the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix, Darrion Caldwell is on a mission to regain Bellator gold. “The Wolf,” a former North Carolina State University NCAA National Champion wrestler, has looked unstoppable since moving up to the featherweight division, having defeated Adam Borics, as well as Henry Corrales in the opening round of the tournament. Now, the former bantamweight champ sits only two victories away from holding a title in his second division – a feat very few athletes can claim.
 
Touted by ESPN as the best fighter in MMA under the age of 25, AJ McKee looks to back up the lofty expectations often held by the public for second generations-athletes. Undefeated in his career, “The Mercenary” has made himself known to the world through his flashy persona and trash talk, but most importantly, his work inside the Bellator cage. With every one of his pro bouts taking place with Bellator, the Long Beach-native can achieve what he set out to do beginning at Bellator 146 in 2015 and become world champion with just two more wins.
 
Also announced for Bellator 252…is a third main card bout featuring the always-exciting Aaron Pico (6-3) of Jackson-Wink MMA Academy in Albuquerque, N.M., who returns for his second appearance inside Bellator’s “FightSphere, having previously defeated Solo Hatley Jr. in impressive fashion at Bellator 242. He will take on Pittsburgh’s John de Jesus (13-8), who was most recently victorious at Bellator 244 against Vladyslav Parubchenko, in what promises to an explosive featherweight contest.
 
For further information, please visit Bellator.com
 
Updated Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Fight Card:
CBS Sports Network | DAZN
7 p.m. ET

Featherweight World Title Bout/FWGP Quarterfinal: Patricio “Pitbull” Freire (30-4) vs. Pedro Carvalho (11-3)
Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal: Daniel Weichel (40-11) vs. Emmanuel Sanchez (19-4)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: Aaron Pico (6-3) vs. John de Jesus (13-8)
 
 
Updated Bellator 253: Caldwell vs. McKee Fight Card:
CBS Sports Network | DAZN
7 p.m. ET

Featherweight World Grand Prix Semifinal: Darrion Caldwell (15-3) vs. AJ McKee (16-0)
 
 
*Card subject to change.