FIGHT NIGHT PHOTOS HERE – PLEASE CREDIT: LUCAS NOONAN/BELLATOR MMA
Dublin – BELLATOR 291 saw Yaroslav Amosov (27-0) mark his return to the BELLATOR cage in perfect fashion, as he unified the BELLATOR Welterweight World Title with a victory over Logan Storley. Amosov also continues to boast the longest active win streak in MMA, adding to his record for the first time since returning to Ukraine to defend his country in 2022.
In the co-main event Jeremy Kennedy silenced the home crowd as he defeated Pedro Carvalho with a unanimous decision victory. ‘JBC’ will be hoping to move closer to a title shot as he continues to climb the featherweight rankings following his statement victory in the Irish capital.
BELLATOR announced its return to the ‘Emerald Isle’ will come on Saturday, September 23 with what will undoubtedly be a stacked card at the 3Arena in Dublin. More information will be announced soon. BELLATOR returns to action on Friday, March 10 for BELLATOR 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson at theSAP Center San Jose, CA. The card airs in the U.S. on SHOWTIME at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
BELLATOR MMA 291 MAIN CARD RESULTS:
(C) Yaroslav Amosov (27-0) defeated #1-Logan Storley (14-1) via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
Amosov quotes:“I feel very good because I waited for this for a long time. I train hard training, and I feel a lot of motivation and responsibility. Now, I relax. I’ll relax after the fight, and I’m happy because I think I gave my country a good day. It’s the first time I’ve had big support in the cage. In America, I’ve had support, but not like today. Many Ukrainian flags, many Ukrainian people. My uncle, my friends; I see many people. It was a big support, and it gave me very good energy.”
On His Message to the People of Ukraine: “Thank you for my country, thank you for my army and the fans. It was for my country. Today I think it is a very good day for my country. To hold two gold belts.”
On If He’s the Best Welterweight on the Planet: “I think yes, [that was my best performance]. Of course [I think I’m the best welterweight in the world]. I am here. If a UFC champion wants to fight, come to BELLATOR. Scott Coker will give the contract, and we’ll make the fight.”
On His First Match with Logan Storley: “Before this fight, I said this fight was different. I have many kilograms that I cut for my first match with Logan [Storley]. Now I had a very good camp and recovery as well as different training. Every day I train hard and become better. I have the best team with me. He’s [Logan Storley] a very good fighter, and I knew this. All people who enter the cage are strong, so if you go in the cage, you’re a high-level fighter. It’s not a surprise to me, but I’m ready [for everything].”
On Training with BELLATOR Middleweight World Champion Johnny Eblen: “He’s my friend [Johnny Eblen]. I train with him every time, he’s very high level. He’s a very good fighter and a real champion. When we spar, many people watch and I think it’s beautiful.”
#5-Jeremy Kennedy (19-3) defeated #3-Pedro Carvalho (13-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kennedy quotes: “I’m happy with the win, regardless. I would’ve liked to get the finish, but there’s a lot of circumstances whenever you travel across the world. I’m just ready for the next one. It was my rehydration, I think. I made mistakes on the rehydration. I was really dry – I wasn’t sweating, but I felt exhausted there; my gas tank’s [normally] much better than that. He had a tight squeeze right at the beginning but he jumped for it too early but I think I am the best grappler in the division. He had a little bit of a squeeze but it ultimately got me the takedown. I wanted to really hurt him with some hands, but he’s a pressure fighter. I thought I could sit him down, but as soon as I got ahold of him, I was like, ‘This is my path to victory.’”
On Fighting for the Title Next: “I believe so, I don’t know who else is there for me to fight. Three wins in a row. Sanchez, Pico, and Carvalho and they have all been dominant victories.. I’ve been all around the world; it’s a cool way to see the world. In a perfect world, I get to fight somewhere in the United States, but I’d fight ‘Pitbull’ in a WalMart. I’m coming. I’ve been on his heels the whole time. When I was fighting Borics and I was fighting Pico, I was like: I can’t wait to get the opportunity to fight him. Now there’s talk of him going down to 135; he’s probably calling his nutritionist right now because he doesn’t want this fight. Let’s do it. We can go ASAP. I’ll fight him in any corner of the world, in any timeframe.”
Bryce Logan (12-8) defeated #10-Peter Queally (12-8) via TKO (punches) at 2:32 of round two
#3-Sinead Kavanagh (9-5) defeated Janay Harding (6-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kavanagh quotes: “I feel good. It feels good to get back in there. It was a nice win. I went and put on a show, and that’s all I needed to do. I kept in one piece; I can go again soon, which is great. I put on a clinic. I knew she was a striker, so I showed in there what I’ve done for the last 12 weeks. All is good.”
On a Potential Rematch with Cris Cyborg: “That’s two great wins, and I put on a show both times. I’m ready. I want [Cris] ‘Cyborg’ in Dublin. That’s what I want. Fight the best in Ireland, Sinead Kavanagh. I’ve been well-prepared for Cris ‘Cyborg.’ I won’t rush into things. I’ll be ready.”
“I got a good 15 minutes [in] there. Good strikes. My power was there. I do want ‘Cyborg’ here. I want her in Dublin. But that’s in September, that’s too long. I want another one and then ‘Cyborg.’”
On Rectifying the Outcome from First Harding Fight: “It feels good; I got me win back. It’ll be on my record forever. I did win, and I am better.”
Ciaran Clarke (7-0) defeated Leonardos Sinis (11-6-1) via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Clarke quotes: “It was a clean performance. I obviously would’ve liked the finish. [Opponent Leonardos Sinis has] fought at welterweight and lightweight before; he’s a big lad.”
On his Opponent’s Size Advantage, Weight Miss: “I thought he was a good actor. Look, I didn’t think that mattered at all because I knew I was giving up a few kilos anyways. It was a catchweight and he missed weight. I knew he was coming big.”
On What He Wants Next: “Two Dublin shows every year. Get better for the next one, end of June, July. Those decisions, all of my decisions, I had 10-8 rounds. 7-0. I think that’s right up there with the win streaks in the company. It’s a bit gray with BELLATOR; the rankings are solid, then it’s gray underneath that. People are mentioning the rankings — I’m trying to gradually get to that point. If they offer it, I’ll accept it because that’s just who I am, but as long as it makes sense and its progression. I’m here in BELLATOR; whatever they say I’m worthy of.”
On a Potential Matchup with Khasan Magomedsharipov: “I think we match up well and like said I will fight anyone. They’re all getting behind me: the whole town, the whole country, I feel. They’re bringing buses up. I really feel like a winner already. I’ve brought the whole town here. People talk. That buzz in the town, everyone gets behind me. It’s unreal.”
PRELIMINARY CARD:
#9-Karl Moore (11-2) defeated Maciej Różański (14-4) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Shipman (15-4) defeated Charlie Ward (10-6) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Oleg Popov (16-1) defeatedGokhan Saricam (8-2) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Norbert Novenyi Jr. (6-0) defeated Andy Manzolo (26-7) via TKO at 3:12 of round one
Brian Moore (16-9) defeated Luca Iovine (18-9) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Richie Smullen (10-2-1) defeated Piotr Niedzielski (17-5) via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Darragh Kelly (3-0) defeated Dorval Jordan (2-3) via TKO (punches) at 1:58 of round three
Asaël Adjoudj (5-1) defeated Liam McCracken (3-1) via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Khasan Magomedsharipov (8-0) defeated Rafael Hudson (7-5) via TKO at 4:40 of round one
Jena Bishop (5-0) defeated Elina Kallionidou (9-5) via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Kenny Mokhonoana (5-0) defeated Craig McIntosh (3-5) via TKO (elbows) at 3:13 of round one
Dmytrii Hrytsenko (8-0) defeated Daniele Scatizzi (12-7) via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Steven Hill (7-0) defeated Joel Kouadja (7-10)via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:03 of round two
*Card subject to change
Apply for BELLATOR media credentials
RSVP for BELLATOR virtual media availabilities
For more information on upcoming BELLATOR MMA events, visit BELLATOR.com.
Updated Schedule of BELLATOR Events
Fri. March 10 // BELLATOR 292: Nurmagomedov vs. Henderson // SAP Center // San Jose, CA
Fri. March 31 // BELLATOR 293: Golm vs. James // Pechanga Resort Casino // Temecula, CA
Fri. April 21 // BELLATOR 294: Carmouche vs. Bennett 2 // Neal S. Blaisdell Arena // Honolulu, Hawaii
Sat. April 22 // BELLATOR 295: Stos vs. Mix // Neal S. Blaisdell Arena // Honolulu, Hawaii
Fri. May 12 // BELLATOR 296: Mousasi vs. Edwards // Accor Arena // Paris, France
Sat. Sept. 23 // BELLATOR Dublin // 3Arena // Dublin, Ireland