Tag: Bellator 272

Spinning Back Clique: UFC-Bellator bantamweight supremacy, Paul-Woodley 2, UFC 269

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, we look back at the UFC on ESPN 31 and Bellator 272 bantamweight headliners, as well as look ahead to the unexpected Jake Paul-Tyron Woodley rematch and this weekend’s UFC 269.

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Nolan King, Matthew Wells and “Gorgeous” George Garcia discuss these topics with host John Morgan.

  • This past weekend saw a couple of incredible bantamweight main events, starting [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag], who had a tough time with [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] but ultimately delivered a “Knockout of the Year” contender to retain his bantamweight title at Bellator 272. That belt is going up for grabs next year in a bantamweight grand prix, so let’s ask: Is Pettis the odds on favorite to retain the belt all the way through the tournament?
  • Meanwhile, over at UFC on ESPN 31, [autotag]Jose Aldo[/autotag] proved he’s still very relevant at 135 pounds with a clear-cut decision win over [autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]. After the fight, Aldo said a matchup with T.J. Dillashaw appeals to him next while they wait on the title unification bout between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan. Lot of great names at the top of that division, but Bellator president Scott Coker said his grand prix will determine the best 135 pounder in the world. The question: Is he right? Does Bellator have a better bantamweight division than the UFC right now?
  • Well, [autotag]Jake Paul[/autotag] was set to box Tommy Fury later this month in a fight that we wouldn’t have to care much about here at MMA Junkie, but now Fury is out, and former UFC champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] is getting the rematch he had been campaigning for since their first meeting. That’s right, just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in. Now that it’s a reality, how excited are you? And is there any way it goes differently than the first time?
  • The UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year takes place this week with UFC 269, and two veterans top the bill, with [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] defending his lightweight title against [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag]. Both of these guys are so deserving of the spotlight given their journeys in the sport, but who has more on the line here? Who might really be feeling the pressure Saturday night?
  • Outside of the main event, we have a stacked UFC 269 card, so which fight are you looking forward to most outside of the headliner and why?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3215: Paul vs. Woodley 2, UFC on ESPN 31, Bellator 272 reactions

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,215, the boys react to all the big fights between UFC on ESPN 31 and Bellator 272 this past weekend, as well as Monday’s breaking news that Tyron Woodley is stepping in for Tommy Fury to rematch Jake Paul. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Kyoji Horiguchi ‘really sorry’ about brutal Bellator 272 knockout loss to Sergio Pettis

Kyoji Horiguchi understandably is disappointed coming out of Bellator 272 but will have another shot at gold in the bantamweight grand prix.

The bad news: [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] understandably is disappointed coming out of Bellator 272. The good news: He’s apparently in good spirits and doing OK physically.

Horiguchi suffered a brutal spinning backfist knockout loss against bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis on Friday night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The improbable finish came in Round 4 after Horiguchi was dominant in the first three rounds and clearly up 3-0 on all three judges’ scorecards.

Pettis whiffed on a head kick from close range but used his momentum to throw a spinning backfist that landed flush on Horiguchi’s face and put him to sleep instantly. Horiguchi was transported to a local hospital after the fight.

On Saturday, he provided a brief update on his status.

“I’m really sorry that I couldn’t meet the expectations of everyone who supported me!” Horiguchi tweeted in Japanese, via Google Translate. “I’m okay at all, so I’ll do my best again!”

Horiguchi, still the Rizin bantamweight champion, returned to action for the first time in almost 13 months after tearing his ACL. He was hoping to win back the Bellator 135-pound title he was forced to vacate because of the injury.

Horiguchi will get another shot to reclaim gold as one of eight fighters who will partake in the Bellator bantamweight grand prix set to begin in early 2022.

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Kai Kamaka’s UFC release ‘lit a fire’ to get back to winning ways at Bellator 272

Kai Kamaka rebounded with a unanimous decision win at Bellator 272 after leaving the UFC earlier this year.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – To say [autotag]Kai Kamaka[/autotag] has been down for the past year would be a fair statement.

Kamaka, 26, didn’t have things go his way during a brief UFC tenure. He won his promotional debut in August 2020 to push his streak to six before losing his next two bouts (by TKO and split decision) and then fighting to a majority draw with Danny Chavez on July 31. All of this led to Kamaka leaving the UFC.

Enter Bellator, which first gave Kamaka (9-4-1 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) a chance in 2018. He re-signed with the promotion in September and on Friday got back to his winning ways with a unanimous decision over John de Jesus – a relief, to say the least.

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“It feels great,” Kamaka told reporters, including MMA Junkie, backstage at Mohegan Sun Arena. “Great to not just be back fighting and being busy, but a win – finally. …

“Mentally, I was just more confused (after leaving the UFC). I knew that I’m still young, I have a lot of skill, and I come to scrap. I knew I was gonna be fighting. I was just battling with myself mentally. But there was no hiccup in my skill or anything like that. I’m just glad to be back, glad to be winning.”

Watch Kamaka’s full post-fight interview in the video above to hear more of his thoughts on his performance and getting back on track.

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Josh Hill feels snubbed as Bellator bantamweight grand prix alternate: ‘I want in that sh*t’

After a thunderous one-punch knockout at Bellator 272, Josh Hill will stay ready in case he’s needed for the bantamweight tournament.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Just prior to [autotag]Josh Hill[/autotag]’s fight Friday night, Bellator announced its tournament field for a bantamweight grand prix that will commence early next year. Excluded from the field of eight 135 pounders was Hill.

So what’d he do about that? He went out and delivered a thunderous one-punch knockout against Jared Scoggins at Bellator 272. Afterward, “Big” John McCarthy revealed that Hill will serve as a tournament alternate. In truth, Hill found out the day before, and he wasn’t pleased.

“I found that sh*t out yesterday,” Hill told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at Mohegan Sun Arena. “Sitting down talking with (Raufeon) Stots, and he told me. I was like, ‘Eh, we should do a 16-man tournament.’ With (Kyoji) Horiguchi coming back, it kind of pushed me out of the tournament. I’m the next guy, according to the rankings. So, that sucks. But I want in that sh*t. If anybody drops out or injuries, I’m the guy.”

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Hill (21-4 MMA, 3-1 BMMA), 35, has a recent body of work worthy of inclusion, having won five of his past six. He had a four-fight winning streak snapped in May after losing a unanimous decision to Stots.

Does he feel snubbed by his exclusion?

“Yeah, I do,” Hill said. “It’ a stacked division, so I get it. I mean, I don’t know how (James) Gallagher got in before me. That’s my gripe right there. It is what it is, everybody’s good, it’s a deep division, and if it wasn’t so deep I’d be in there for sure.”

As it stands, Hill is out of the mix. He said he’s “always training and always in good shape,” which is what he’ll continue to do in the event he’s needed. Regardless, he’s looking forward to the tournament.

“I’m gonna be tuning in because this division is stacked,” Hill said. “I think it’s the best division in the sport right now and the best one in Bellator. I’ll be ready.”

You can watch Hill’s full post-fight interview in the video above.

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Twitter reacts to Sergio Pettis’ insane comeback KO of Kyoji Horiguchi at Bellator 272

Check out the top Twitter reactions to Sergio Pettis’ spinning backfist knockout of Kyoji Horiguchi to retain his title at Bellator 272.

[autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] closed Bellator’s 2021 schedule with an all-time knockout Friday when he stopped [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] to defend his bantamweight title in the Bellator 272 main event.

Pettis (22-5 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) rallied from a one-sided fight to score an unthinkable spinning backfist knockout of Horiguchi (29-4 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) to hold onto the throne in the headlining matchup, which took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Pettis’ knockout of Horiguchi to defend his title at Bellator 272.

Bellator 272 results: Jeremy Kennedy grinds out Emmanuel Sanchez to earn unanimous decision

UFC and PFL veteran Jeremy Kennedy leaned on his wrestling skills to win a unanimous decision in Bellator 272’s co-main event.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] turned in a dominant performance in the co-main event on Friday evening.

Over the course of three rounds, Kennedy (17-3 MMA, 2-1 BMMA) utilized his wrestling skills to keep Emmanuel Sanchez on his back for most of the fight, ultimately grinding his way to a unanimous decision victory.

Bellator 272 took place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Sanchez (20-7 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) looked to put the pressure on early in the fight, putting together a few punching combinations as he moved forward. Kennedy opted to drop down for a takedown attempt which led to a clinch against the cage. Kennedy would eventually end up on top of his opponent and look to improve position, but Sanchez was active with punches from his back. After a few wild scrambles, they ended back on the canvas with Sanchez threatening triangle chokes from his back until the round ended.

The next two rounds of the fight would look pretty similar to the first: Sanchez would start the round landing strikes, but the fight would quickly end up on the canvas with Kennedy on top.

In the third, Sanchez was able to find his way into a guillotine choke attempt and hold it for over a minute after being on his back for a majority of the round, but Kennedy popped his head out with just under 30 seconds remaining and landed strikes from the top until the fight concluded.

All three judges scored the fight 30-27 unanimously in favor of Kennedy.

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Kennedy, a veteran of UFC and PFL, picks up his second win in three fights under the Bellator banner. In his debut with the promotion, he picked up a unanimous decision win over Matt Bessette last year but the victory was followed up by dropping a decision to Adam Borics in April. Friday’s victory over Sanchez gets him back in the win column in a big way.

Sanchez’s 2021 campaign is one he would like to quickly move past. Friday’s loss marks three straight during the calendar year, with losses to former champ Patricio Pitbull, Mads Burnell, and now, Kennedy. Sanchez was on quite the impressive run as a winner of seven of eight bouts before his recent skid.

Up-to-the-minute results of Bellator 272 include:

  • Jeremy Kennedy def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Josh Hill def. Jared Scoggins knockout (punch) – Round 2, 0:56
  • Johnny Eblen def. Collin Huckbody TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:11
  • Alexander Shabliy def. Bobby King unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – Round 3, 5:00
  • Kai Kamaka def. John de Jesus unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – Round 3, 5:00
  • Levan Chokheli def. Vinicius de Jesus unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) – Round 3, 5:00
  • Justin Montalvo def. Jacob Bohn unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28) – Round 3, 5:00
  • Mike Hamel def. Killys Mota split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27) – Round 3, 5:00
  • Spike Carlyle def. Dan Moret technical submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:58
  • Kyle Crutchmer def. Oliver Enkamp unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – Round 3, 5:00

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Bellator 272 video: Josh Hill clocks Jared Scoggins for one-punch knockout

The fight came to a sudden end early in Round 2 after Josh Hill delivered the boom.

[autotag]Josh Hill[/autotag] punched his ticket Friday to become a Bellator bantamweight grand prix alternate – literally.

Hill scored a one-punch knockout win over [autotag]Jared Scoggins[/autotag] at Bellator 272 from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The finish came suddenly within the first minute of Round 2 after Scoggins hesitated when closing the distance. At that moment, Hill (21-4 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) made Scoggins (10-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) pay with a huge right hand that put him to sleep.

Check out the finish below (via Twitter):

Prior to the fight, Bellator announced that an eight-man $1 million bantamweight tournament will commence in early 2022, but Hill was not included in the field. During his post-fight interview, cageside announcer “Big” John McCarthy informed Hill that Bellator president Scott Coker said his performance earned him a spot as an alternate should somebody have to withdraw.

Hill, 35, has won five of his past six bouts and rebounded from a loss to tournament competitor Raufeon Stots this past May.

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Bellator 272 live and official results (7 p.m. ET)

Bellator 272 takes place Friday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

Bellator 272 takes place Friday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the main event, bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis (21-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) puts his title on the line against former champ Kyoji Horiguchi (29-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA). In the co-feature, former featherweight title challenger Emmanuel Sanchez (20-6 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) takes on Jeremy Kennedy (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA).

Official Bellator 272 results include:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi – for bantamweight title
  • Jeremy Kennedy vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
  • Josh Hill vs. Jared Scoggins
  • Johnny Eblen vs. Collin Huckbody

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Bobby King vs. Alexander Shabliy
  • John DeJesus vs. Kai Kamaka III
  • Levan Chokheli vs. Vinicius de Jesus
  • Jacob Bohn vs. Justin Montalvo
  • Mike Hamel vs. Killys Mota
  • Spike Carlyle vs. Dan Moret
  • Kyle Crutchmer vs. Oliver Enkamp

Bellator 272 discussion thread

Bellator 272 takes place Friday in Connecticut, and you can discuss the event here.

Bellator 272 takes place Friday at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla. It kicks off at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT). You can discuss the event here.

Be sure to follow along with the latest card updates in our Bellator 272 live results post, and then discuss the event in the comments section below.

Round-by-round updates and official results begin at approximately 7 p.m. ET for the preliminary card and 10 p.m. ET for the main card.