Every week, Combat Press takes a look at three regional, developmental and international cards from the upcoming weekend, previewing from each a single fight to which people should pay close attention. We will also list other significant bouts from the card, as well as information on how to follow each promotion and watch the events. Let’s discover those prospects that fight in obscurity, waiting for their shot at the bright lights and big stage of the UFC, and those veterans looking for one more chance at stardom. It all begins here, from the small convention centers and high school gymnasiums to the developmental leagues that serve as a launching pad to the big show. It all begins with promotions such as these…
Bellator 255 results and highlights: Patricio Pitbull puts Sanchez to sleep, AJ McKee showdown next Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire is still the Bellator champ-champ and he’s got a $1 million matchup with AJ McKee next. Share this story Bellator MMA Emmanuel Sanchez gave Patricio ‘Pitbull’ Freire a difficult fight when they first met for the Bellator featherweight belt in 2018. In the rematch, Sanchez didn’t even get out of the opening round. The Bellator 255 main event saw Pitbull hurt Sanchez with his fearsome left hook then latch on a tight guillotine choke that had Sanchez out cold. It took the ref a bit too long to figure out that Patricio was telling the truth and that Emmanuel was put to sleep. Freire continues his reign as Bellator’s two-division champion and he’s further enhanced his legacy as Bellator’s greatest ever fighter, as well as one of the top fighters in the world today.
MMA Fighting Share this story Patricio Pitbull is still the undisputed king of the Bellator featherweight division. Facing Emmanuel Sanchez (20-5) for a second time, Pitbull (32-4) made short work of his rival in Friday’s Bellator 255 main event, latching on a guillotine choke and leaving Sanchez unconscious at the 3:35 mark of round one. With the win, Pitbull recorded his fifth straight successful defense of the Bellator featherweight championship. The end came after Pitbull began to push the pace in what had been a methodical affair up to that point. He caught Sanchez with a combination and then again with a right hook that had an advancing Sanchez off-balance. Sensing an opening, the champion immediately jumped up for a guillotine and brought Sanchez down to the mat with him. Sanchez was unresponsive when referee Todd Anderson went to check on one of his arms and the bout was waved off.
Bellator 178: Straus vs. Pitbull 4 Preview and Predictions The train continues to roll for Bellator MMA. The promotion’s schedule of weekly events takes the company to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Bellator 178’s main event is a familiar rematch. Daniel Straus will once again meet Patricio Freire in a featherweight title fight. Straus recently won his title from Freire, but the fight was close enough to warrant a rematch. This will be the fourth meeting between the two men. Freire won their first two encounters. The co-headliner is a women’s flyweight battle pitting Ilima-Lei Macfarlane against Jessica Middleton. The two 125-pound fighters are currently undefeated and looking to be one of the first women up when Bellator decides to crown a flyweight champion.