ALL OF ITALY GOES WILD FOR THEIR HERO ALESSIO SAKARA AFTER KNOCKOUT VICTORY

Crédito: Bellator MMA

TORINO, ITALIA. (Abril 15, 2016) – An electric, packed house was on hand Saturday night to bear witness to Bellator MMA’s inaugural international event, "Bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza," at Italy’s largest indoor arena, The Pala Alpitour. The venue, which housed several events during the 2006 Winter Olympic Games, provided an incredible atmosphere for the historic card.

No evento principal da noite, Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (16-7) welcomed Kevin Souza (15-5) to Bellator MMA with a unanimous decision loss (30-27, 30-27, 30-27). The matchup between the two Brazillians was well contested, as Souza took the fight on short notice after replacing Derek Camposbecause of injury only a week ago. “Pitbull” spent much of the bout trying to figure out his opponent’s unorthodox style, but in the third and final round, “Pitbull” was able to score a couple solid shots and a takedown to cement his position on the scorecards.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?

Few fighters can inspire a nation the way that Rome’s Alessio Sakara (18-11) had his Italian countrymen rooting for him tonight. The support paid off, as “Legionarius” got the better of Brian Rogers (12-9) in a slugfest for the ages. Crisp, precise, power-punches connected with Rogers putting him on the canvas, forcing the TKO stoppage at 2:29 of round two and making Sakai’s Bellator debut one to remember.

DIVISION ON LOCK? MCKEE’S GOT THE KEY

One of MMA’s hottest prospects, A.J. McKee (4-0) defeated Milan’s Danilo Belluardo (5-2) in front of his home crowd on Friday. Although the audience was raucous in support for Belluardo, they cheered with great appreciation for McKee’s performance and sportsmanship following his victory. During his fight against J.T. Donaldson at "Bellator 147: Thomson vs. Villaseca," McKee was cut above the eye, the sight of his own blood seemed to cause the 20-year-old to hit the turbo button. Similarly tonight, McKee was on the wrong side of an accidental low blow and after a short resting period, “Mercenary” came out swinging with a torrid pace, ultimately connecting with a left kick to the ribs of Belluardo that sent him falling to the mat. The referee gave him a moment to defend himself but McKee rained down an efficient flurry of ground and pound, earning the TKO at 2:44 of the very first frame. Sending a message to Scott Coker and the moi deep Bellator featherweight division that he means business, McKee said in his post-fight interview: “If you ain’t got the belt, I ain’t got my eye on you.”

A STAR IS BORN IN ANASTASIA YANKOVA

Anastasia Yankova (3-0) quickly fought her way into a full mount against Anjela Pink (0-1) and applied a slick armbar submission to hand Pink a loss in her professional debut at 1:35 da rolda de apertura. The young Russian striker has had the Italian fans clamoring to see her in action all week long, and had them on their feet celebrating her first-round victory. Yankova has now finished all of her professional MMA fights via submission and after the bout made it clear that she will be in action sooner, en vez de máis tarde, “I promise to come back soon and have my second fight in Bellator, Yankova said. “It is really great to be a part of Bellator, I feel really happy.”

HOMETOWN HEROES IMPRESS IN BELLATOR DEBUT

Two Italian competitors who regularly compete with Oktagon, Daniele Scatizzi (7-2) e Daniele Miceli (2-1) kicked things off at "Bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza” with a fast paced featherweight scrap. Scatizzi was able to secure a dominant position on Miceli’s back, sinking his hooks in and raining down unanswered strikes, forcing referee “Big John” McCarthy to call a stop to the action at 3:20 of round one and declaring Rome’s Scatizzi victorious by TKO.

Complete Weigh-In Photos Here

TORINO, ITALIA. (Abril 15, 2016) – After Friday’s weigh-ins at the Turin Palace Hotel, all of the "Bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza” competitors are set to enter the cage inside of Italy’s largest indoor arena, The Pala Alpitour. The event airs on SPIKE mañá, Sábado, Abril 16 en 10 p.m. E/PT.

The mixed martial arts portion of Bellator MMA’s first event overseas will also include the promotional debut of Italian fan-favorite Alessio Sakara (17-11), que afronta Brian Rogers (12-8) in a light heavyweight matchup and one of MMA’s most promising young prospects, A.J. McKee (3-0), que loita Danilo Belluardo (5-1) at 145-pounds.

Tamén, Anastasia Yankova (2-0) will make her promotional debut against Anjela Pink in MMA flyweight action and Oktagon competitorsDaniele Miceli (2-0) e Daniele Scatizzi (6-2) will round out the MMA card with a featherweight showdown.

Tarxeta Principal: (Live on SPIKE – 10 p.m. E/PT)

Kevin Souza (70.3 kg / 155.2 lb.) vs. Patricky Freire (70.5 kg / 155.2 lb.)

Alessio Sakara (92.25 kg / 203.9 lb.) vs. Brian Rogers (93.05 kg / 205.3 lb.)

Danilo Belluardo (66.05 kg / 145.4 lb.) vs. A.J. McKee (65.95 kg / 145.5 lb.)

Anjela Pink (58.65 kg / 129.3 lb.) vs. Anastasia Yankova (59.35 kg / 130 lb.)

Daniele Miceli (76.10 kg / 167.5 lb.) vs. Daniele Scatizzi (76.2 kg / 168.2 lb.)

SANTA MONICA, TAL. (Abril 11, 2016) – Injuries to both Derek Campos e John Teixeira have forced Bellator MMA to find replacements to compete against brothers Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (15-7) e Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (24-3) en abril 16 e 22 respectivamente.

Como resultado, the Scott Coker-led promotion has put its newest free agent acquisition to work immediately, with the news that Kevin Souza (15-4) will compete against Patricky at 155-pounds, in the first fight of his freshly inked multi-fight contract during the main event of "Bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza.”

Entrementes, in the co-main event of "Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov," Patricio will now fight the tenacious Henry Currais (12-2), who agreed to face the former Bellator MMA Featherweight Champion on less than two weeks notice.

"Bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza” will also include the promotional debut of Italian fan-favorite Alessio Sakara (17-11), que afronta Brian Rogers (12-8) in a light heavyweight matchup, while one of MMA’s most promising young prospects, A.J. McKee (3-0), loitas Danilo Belluardo (5-1) at 145-pounds. Tamén, Anastasia Yankova (2-0) will make her promotional debut against Anjela Pink in MMA flyweight action and Oktagon competitors Daniele Miceli (2-0) e Daniele Scatizzi (6-2) will round out the MMA card with a featherweight showdown.

"Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov” is also brimming with must-see mixed martial arts action as well, with the promotional debut of Benson Henderson (23-5), who challenges Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) for the 170-pound strap, Brennan Ward (13-3) goes to battle contra “Cyborg” Santos (20-16), Michael Page "Venom" (9-0) rostros Jeremie Holloway (7-1), e Brent Primus (6-0) meets “Toninho Furia” (27-5).

"Bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza” airs on SPIKE Saturday, Abril 16 en 10 p.m. ET / ES, mentres "Bellator 153: Henderson vs. Koreshkov” airs at a special start time of 8 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. CT, which is immediately followed by the debut of "Bellator Kickboxing: Torino " en 11:00 p.m. ET / ES.

Fresh off an emphatic knockout of Ryan Couture en "Bellator 148: Daley vs. Uhrich” to kickoff 2016, Patricky “Pitbull” will look to extend his current winning streak when he takes on the debuting Kevin Souza.

A member of the Blackzilians, the 31-year-old has been victorious in 10 da súa última 11 fights as a professional and put together an impressive 3-1 run with the UFC. The multi-time, post-fight bonus award winner has a knack for the spectacular, con 10 finishes coming in the opening round and 13 fóra de 15 victories ending before reaching the judges’ scorecards. The Salvador native has competed exclusively at 145-pounds, but due to the fight being on short notice, Souza will step up and compete against “Pitbull” no peso lixeiro.

Henry Corrales continues his run of never turning down a fight in Bellator MMA, after agreeing to fight Patricio “Pitbull.” The fight will be Corrales’ third in the Viacom-owned promotion, after bouts against current featherweight titlist Daniel Straus and newly re-signed contender Emanuel Sanchez. A former King of the Cage bantamweight champion, “OK” has finished 10 da súa 12 wins as a pro.

Complete "bellator 152: Pitbull vs. Souza” Main Card:

Bellator MMA Lightweight Main Event: Patricky "Pitbull" Freire (15-7) vs. Edimilson “Kevin” Souza (15-4)

Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Co-Main Event: Alessio Sakara (17-11) vs. Brian Rogers (12-8)

MMA bellator Pena Bout Característica: A.J. McKee (3-0) vs. Danilo Belluardo (5-1)

Bellator MMA Flyweight Feature Bout: Anastasia Yankova (2-0) vs. Anjela Pink (Estrea)

Bellator MMA Featherweight Feature Bout: Daniele Miceli (2-0) vs. Daniele Scatizzi (6-2)

Complete "bellator 153: Koreshkov vs. Henderson” Main Card:

Bellator MMA Welterweight World Title Bout: Andrey Koreshkov (18-1) vs. Benson Henderson (23-5)

Bellator MMA Co-Main Event Pena: Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (24-3) vs. Henry Currais (12-2)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Bout Característica: Brennan Ward (13-3) vs. Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos (20-16)

Bellator MMA Welterweight Bout Característica: Michael Page (9-0) vs. Jeremie Holloway (7-1)

Bellator MMA Característica Lightweight Bout: Brent Primus (6-0) vs. Gleristone "Toninho Furia" Santos (27-5)

Sobre bellator MMA:

Bellator MMA é unha organización líder Artes marciais Mesturadas con moitos dos mellores loitadores do mundo. Baixo a dirección do veterano promotor loita Scott Coker, Bellator está dispoñible para case 500 millón de vivendas en todo o mundo en máis de 140 países. Nos Estados Unidos, Bellator se pode ver na Spike, the MMA television leader. Bellator MMA is comprised of an executive team that includes top industry professionals in television production, orquestación de eventos en directo, desenvolvemento loitador / relacións, Procurement local, creación de patrocinio / desenvolvemento, licenzas internacional, marketing, publicidade, publicity and commission relations. Bellator is based in Santa Monica, California e de propiedade do xigante do entretemento Viacom, fogar de marcas de entretemento do mundo premier que se conectan co público a través de contido atractivo a través da televisión, filme cinematográfico, plataformas en liña e móbiles.

Sobre Pico:

Spike está dispoñible en 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike’s internet address is spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike’s press site at spike.com/press. Follow us on Twitter @SpikeTVPR for the latest in breaking news updates, behind-the-scenes información e fotos.

About Oktagon:

Carlo Di Blasi created Oktagon in 1996. At its beginning the show was dedicated to free fight, the name that was given initially to MMA (Artes marciais Mixtas). Other disciplines such as Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Savate were gradually added from the early 2000’s onwards. During the last 20 years Oktagon has reached a huge popularity, both in Italy and abroad, creating many superstars in the process including Bellator welterweight Paul Daley as well as The Petrosyan brothers (Giorgio e Armen), Robin Van Roosmalen, Valentijn Overeem, Rico Verhoeven e Artem Levin.