Bellator is where it’s at this weekend, with the promotion marking the end of its featherweight grand prix with a finals match-up that pits champion Patricio Freire against A.J. McKee at Bellator 263. The winner walks away with the belt and a cool million in prize money.
Featherweight and lightweight champion Pitbull booked his spot in the final by choking out Emmanuel Sanchez, before that he KO’d Pedro Carvalho and took a unanimous decision over Juan Archuleta.
McKee earned his spot after a sensational submission of Darrion Caldwell. Prior to that he submitted Derek Campos and scored an eight-second TKO of Georgi Karakhanyan.
In the co-main event Mads Burnell meets Emmanuel Sanchez. The main card also includes the undefeated Usman Nurmagomedov (cousin of Khabib) taking on Manny Muro, former lightweight champ Brent Primus meeting Islam Mamedov and the 25-5 (20 submissions) Goiti Yamauchi facing Chris Gonzalez.
The prelims is headlined by former Invicta FC flyweight champion Vanessa Porto. She meets Ilara Joanne. The prelims also feature Khasan Magomedsharipov (younger brother of Zabit) facing Jonathan Quiroz.
Before any of these fights happen, though, the competitors will need to weigh-in. And for the headliners, they must hit their mark exactly or risk losing their shot at the title.
You can watch the weigh-ins below. This video stream comes courtesy of our friends at MMA Fighting:
Main Card (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)
Featherweight championship: Patricio Freire (144.5) vs. A.J. McKee (145)*
Featherweight: Emmanuel Sanchez (145.3) vs. Mads Burnell (145.5)
Lightweight: Usman Nurmagomedov (155.3) vs. Manny Muro (156)
Lightweight: Islam Mamedov (154.9) vs. Brent Primus (155.2)
Catchweight (160 lbs): Goiti Yamauchi (155.5) vs. Chris Gonzalez (155)
Preliminary Card (Bloody Elbow, 7:00 p.m. ET)
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (125.6) vs. Ilara Joanne (125.2)
Catchweight (150 lbs): Gadzhi Rabadanov (149) vs. Daniel Carey (149.1)
Featherweight: Khasan Magomedsharipov (144.6) vs. Jonathan Quiroz (146.1)
Catchweight (180 lbs): Johnny Cisneros (179.2) vs. Joshua Jones (179.6)
Lightweight: Kiefer Crosbie (155.9) vs. Georgi Karakhanyan (155.6)
Bantamweight: Brian Moore (135.8) vs. Jordan Winski (135.6)
Catchweight (190 lbs): Justin Barry vs. Daniel Compton (189.6) **
*McKee initially weighed 145.2 lbs. He was given extra time to cut weight and made 145 lbs on his second attempt.
**Justin Barry did not clear medicals. His fight with Daniel Compton is cancelled.
About the author
