Tag: Bellator 277

Bellator 277 results: Aaron Pico pulverizes Adli Edwards for sixth-straight win

Originally thought of as a long-term project, could Aaron Pico be nearing the title conversation after all these years?

SAN JOSE, Calif. – [autotag]Aaron Pico[/autotag] keeps rolling.

On the Bellator 277 main card Friday at SAP Center, Pico (10-3 MMA, 10-3 BMMA) put on a technically-sound battering of short-notice foe [autotag]Adli Edwards[/autotag] (9-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) en route to a TKO stoppage at 0:55 of Round 3.

From the opening bell, Pico mixed up his tools. When the striking did damage and Edwards covered up, Pico took the fight to the ground. Once Edwards worked his way back to the feet, Pico made him pay with punches to the head and body.

Tougher than many, Edwards hung in there. He largely absorbed visibly-hurting damage, but was not seemingly rocked until the final barrage. An overhand right to the head started things off, followed by a left hook to the body. Edwards crumpled up and referee Mike Beltran dove in to save him.

With the victory, Pico adds another win to the longest streak of his career at six. A fighter who has spent his entire MMA career under the Bellator banner, Pico had a rocky start to his mixed martial arts career. But since a 4-3 start, Pico has continually shown signs of improvement, as he continues to craft himself into an elite fighter. Other victories on his current streak include Justin Gonzales, Aiden Lee, John De Jesus, Solo Hatley Jr., and Daniel Carey.

Pico was originally supposed to fight fellow contender Jeremy Kennedy at Bellator 277. However, less than two weeks prior to Friday’s card, Kennedy withdrew due to injury and was replaced by Edwards.

As for Edwards, the defeat snaps a seven-fight winning streak. Edwards fought just 13 days ago, when he defeated 10-pounds-over Josh Harvey at XMMA 4.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 277 results include:

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Bellator 277 results: Linton Vassell flips the script, pulls off improbable comeback over Tim Johnson

Linton Vassell nearly lost at multiple points in the fight – but somehow flipped the script in a blink to win via TKO.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Things weren’t going in the favor of [autotag]Linton Vassell[/autotag] until they were.

After multiple near-stoppages by his opponent [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 3-5 BMMA), somehow, someway, Vassell (22-8 MMA, 11-5 BMMA) rallied to pull off a TKO stoppage due to ground-and-pound at 4:21 of Round 1.

Bellator 277 took place Friday at SAP Center, headlined by a featherweight title rematch between A.J. McKee and Patricio Freire.

Vassell was in trouble early, as Johnson rocked him badly enough the Brit felt the need to shoot for a takedown. Johnson stuffed Vassell into the canvas hard, as he swung around to land punches from the top. Vassell tried to escape and eventually rose to his feet, but his equilibrium did not.

As the two fighters moved up, Vassell toppled over again – still shook from Johnson’s punches. Johnson ran full speed and crashed his body into his downed opponent. More heavy ground-and-pound came. Referee Blake Grice kept a close eye on things, but elected to stay away.

Vassell grabbed hold of a leg and reversed Johnson. From there, he quickly moved into mount. Punch after punch, Vassell calmly landed. Johnson, bloodied, tried to escape – but couldn’t until the referee waved things off.

With the win, Vassell has won four fights in a row, possibly positioning himself for a title opportunity. Meanwhile, Johnson is now on a three-fight skid.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 277 results include:

  • Linton Vassell def. Tim Johnson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:21
  • Tyson Miller def. Khalan Gracie via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
  • Tyrell Fortune def. Rakim Cleveland via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:38
  • Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov def. Rafael Carvalho via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 4:04
  • Bobby Seronio III def. Calob Ramirez via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:14
  • Gaston Bolanos def. Daniel Carey via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
  • Kyle Crutchmer def. Michael Lombardo via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Edwin De Los Santos def. Alberto Martinez Mendez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Rogelio Luna def. Socrates Hernandez via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:48
  • Laird Anderson def. J.T. Donaldson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:44
  • Theo Haig def. Alan Benson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:08

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Bellator 277 video: Bobby Seronio III sends San Jose into frenzy with crazy, awkward knockout of Calob Ramirez

Bobby Seronio has some hands, folks.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – [autotag]Bobby Seronio III[/autotag] is pegged by some as the next Bellator prospect to watch out of the promotion’s home city.

At Bellator 277, Seronio (2-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) knocked out opponent Calob Ramirez (1-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) with a series of punches at 2:14 of Round 2. The fight was the seventh Friday on the prelims at SAP Center.

The finish was unusual, awkward, and definitely violent. A beautifully-timed counter straight right-hand sent Ramirez into a place between consciousness and unconsciousness. The dark seemed to overtake the light, as Ramirez dropped to his knees, turned around, and was met with a shot that definitively put him to sleep.

The highlight sent the San Jose crowd into a frenzy, a place Seronio III brought things to in both of his professional outings. The win makes it two-for-two for Seronio, who thrilled fans with a back-and-forth war at Bellator 266 in September against Socrates Hernandez that earned him a unanimous decision. That fight scored him a multifight deal with Bellator, a rarity for a fighter with just one pro fight.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 277 results include:

  • Bobby Seronio III def. Calob Ramirez via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 2:14
  • Gaston Bolanos def. Daniel Carey via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:59
  • Kyle Crutchmer def. Michael Lombardo via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Edwin De Los Santos def. Alberto Martinez Mendez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Rogelio Luna def. Socrates Hernandez via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 4:48
  • Laird Anderson def. J.T. Donaldson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:44
  • Theo Haig def. Alan Benson via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:08

Bellator 277 salaries: A.J. McKee, Patricio Freire lead the pack of guaranteed purses

At Bellator 277, A.J. McKee, Patricio Freire, Vadim Nemkov, and Corey Anderson are set to lead disclosed fighter payouts.

SAN JOSE, Calif – Bellator 277 takes place Friday at SAP Center where three fighters are scheduled to take home six-figure paydays regardless of outcome.

At the 14-fight event, MMA Junkie acquired a list of disclosed salaries from California State Athletic Commission executive director Andy Foster.

In the main event, champion [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] and former champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] square off in a title rematch. Both fighters had a disclosed payday of $250,000 flat. The co-main event is a grand prix final. Light heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov (on an $80,000 to show/$80,000 to win basis) and Corey Anderson ($250,000 flat) will collide with the winner making an additional $1 million.

The total payout or show money is $1.378 million. Check out the full list of payouts below. The story will be updated with exact disclosed payouts at the conclusion of the event.

Bellator 277 live and official results (7 p.m. ET)

Bellator 277 takes place Friday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results.

Bellator 277 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 SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the main event, featherweight champion [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 18-0 BMMA) meets former champ [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-5 MMA, 20-5 BMMA) in a rematch. In the co-feature, light heavyweight champ [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) for the title in the 205-pound grand prix final.

Official Bellator 277 results include:

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

  • Champ A.J. McKee vs. Patricio Freire – for featherweight title
  • Champ Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson – for light heavyweight title; light heavyweight tournament final
  • Adli Edwards vs. Aaron Pico – 150-pound contract weight
  • Tim Johnson vs. Linton Vassell

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

  • Rakim Cleveland vs. Tyrell Fortune
  • Rafael Carvalho vs. Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
  • Gaston Bolanos vs. Daniel Carey
  • Kyle Crutchmer vs. Michael Lombardo
  • Calob Ramirez vs. Bobby Seronio III
  • Rhalan Gracie vs. Tyson Miller
  • Edwin De Los Santos vs. Alberto Mendez
  • Socrates Hernandez vs. Rogelio Luna
  • Laird Anderson vs. JT Donaldson
  • Alan Benson vs. Theo Haig

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MMA Junkie Radio #3251: Guest Carla Esparza, previewing Bellator 277 and UFC on ESPN 34

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

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

On Episode 3,251, the fellas welcome former UFC strawweight champion Carla Esparza to the show to discuss her upcoming title-fight rematch with Rose Namajunas at UFC 274. They also look ahead to the weekend’s Bellator 277 and UFC on ESPN 34, as well as react to the latest news, including Marlon Moraes’ retirement. 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.

‘I’m going to destroy the Pitbull legacy’: A.J. McKee, ‘Pitbull’ brothers kick off Bellator 277 week with verbal sparring

One moment, A.J. McKee is talking about respect for Patricio Freire. The next, he’s chirping at his brother, Patricky.

LOS ANGELES – For a moment, Bellator president Scott Coker must’ve experienced déjà vu as he sat between [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] and [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] again.

McKee, the reigning featherweight champion, and “Pitbull” will run it back Friday in the Bellator 277 main event at SAP Center. But before they head a few hundred miles up the coast to San Jose, the two men were in each other’s presence Monday atop the GRAMMY Museum for a news conference to kick off fight week.

Things were fine – until they weren’t, although it wasn’t so bad.

The last time McKee (18-0 MMA, 18-0 BMMA) and Freire (32-5 MMA, 20-5 BMMA) were in a press conference setting during Bellator 263 fight week, Coker had to restrain them to prevent a brawl from breaking out. This time, it didn’t quite go that far, but it got interesting when Patricio’s brother, lightweight champion Patricky Freire, inserted himself into the conversation as McKee answered a question about his energy being so close to Patricio in a news conference setting for the first time since their scuffle last July.

“I’m gonna put out the same energy when I step in that cage,” McKee said. “Other than that, I’m always respectful, but when you cross that line, you know, that’s the line. Things got to get dealt with. And, yeah, it’s no disrespect – nothing but respect. Obviously things are a little bit different now. I’m the champ, so I like to carry myself a little bit differently. But the first fight was like picking at the brother, you know what I mean? This fight, I’m just looking forward to going out there and putting on a show. I’m looking forward to being champ-champ. His brother’s got the (lightweight) belt. A ‘Pitbull’ is a ‘Pitbull’ to me.”

That got the attention of Patricky, who got into it with McKee while standing behind seven rows of reporters.

“I’ll beat your brother and you again,” McKee told him.

“Dream,” Patricky responded.

“What do you mean ‘dream’? It’s gonna happen, bro. It’s gonna happen. It’s inevitable,” McKee said. “… I’m going to destroy the ‘Pitbull’ legacy. It will end with A.J. ‘Mercinary’ McKee.”

“Keep talking, keep talking,” Patricky said.

Not to be outdone, Patricio entered the fray. “Hey, the last one who said that, I beat him in one minute,” he said.

If that happened this time, Freire would exact a sweet measure of revenge considering it took McKee just 1:57 to choke him out last July 31 to win the Bellator featherweight grand prix and become champion.

They’ll have another chance to settle their differences Friday.

You can check out their exchange in the video above or watch the full Bellator 277 news conference below.

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Bellator 277/279 faceoffs: McKee-‘Pitbull’ 2, Nemkov-Anderson, Cyborg-Blencowe 2, more

Four upcoming Bellator title fights had faceoffs at Monday’s press conference in Los Angeles.

April is a massive month for Bellator, with three events on the docket and five championship fights scheduled.

The festivities kick off Friday, with Bellator 277 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The event is headlined by a featherweight championship rematch between [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 18-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-5 MMA, 20-5 BMMA). The co-headliner for the Showtime-televised card will see the conclusion of the light heavyweight grand prix when [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] (30-8-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) clashes with [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (16-4 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) to determine the divisional and tournament champion.

The organization will then head to Hawaii for back-to-back events on April 22 and April 23. The latter of those events, Bellator 279, also featured a championship doubleheader. [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (25-2 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Arlene Blencowe[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 8-4 BMMA) run it back for women’s featherweight gold in the main event, while [autotag]Juan Archuleta[/autotag] (25-3 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) for the interim bantamweight title in the opening round of the 135-pound grand prix.

Those four matchups in particular were part of Monday’s Bellator press conference in Los Angeles, and after taking questions from the media, they participated in faceoffs.

Check out the staredowns below.

Video: Watch Bellator 277/279 pre-fight press conference live (2:45 p.m. ET)

Watch the Bellator 277/279 pre-fight press conference with AJ McKee, Patricio ‘Pitbull’, Vadim Nemkov, and Corey Anderson.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – You can watch today’s press conference from SAP Center in advance of Bellator 277 here on MMA Junkie starting at 2:45 p.m. ET.

Bellator president [autotag]Scott Coker[/autotag] hosts the event, which features the four competitors in the main and the co-main event of Friday’s card. Bellator featherweight champion [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 18-0 BMMA) and former champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-5 MMA, 20-5 BMMA) will take part in the press conference ahead of their main event championship rematch. The light heavyweight grand prix championship competitors will also be present, champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) and challenger [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (16-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA).

Bellator 277 takes place on Friday at SAP Center. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

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Bellator 277: Make your predictions for McKee vs. Freire 2, Nemkov vs. Anderson

We want your predictions for Friday’s Bellator 277 event in San Jose, which features two title fights atop the card.

We want your predictions for Friday’s Bellator 277 event in San Jose, Calif.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Wednesday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the Bellator 277 main card staff predictions we release Thursday ahead of the event. Bellator 277 takes place Friday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Make your picks for the fights below.