Bellator 284 video: Wrestling standout Pat Downey runs through opponent in MMA debut

A former NCAA Division I All-American, Pat Downey says he was “canceled” from wrestling. Friday, he moved to 1-0 in his new venture.

[autotag]Pat Downey[/autotag]’s MMA debut Saturday was years in the making – and it only lasted 36 seconds.

At Bellator 284, Downey (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) ran through opponent [autotag]Keyes Nelson[/autotag] (0-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in a 36-second submission victory. The event took place Saturday at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Downey, a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, went for the takedown immediately at the start of the fight. Two double underhooks later, he secured a grip and dumped Nelson to the canvas. After a few seconds in side control, Downey powerfully tore into the mount position. With Nelson mounted, Downey locked in an arm-triangle choke and squeezed. The tap came shortly thereafter.

In his post-fight interview, Downey declared he is coming for everyone in the Bellator middleweight division. He then celebrated with his lone cornerman, former UFC fighter Luis Pena.

Downey, 30, publicly planned a transition into MMA since 2020. A massive talent on the mats, Downey was a polarizing figure away from them.

Legal issues and social media controversies caused a butting of heads with the wrestling community, which Downey claimed “canceled” him as a result. Downey told MMA Junkie in February he had no regrets about his time in wrestling but hoped to live up to his true potential in MMA.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 284 results include:

  • Pat Downey def. Keyes Nelson via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 0:36
  • Bailey Schoenfelder def. Mark Currier via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:35
  • Mitchell McKee def. Tony Ortega via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:28

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 284.

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