Tag: Bellator 295

Raufeon Stots: Sergio Pettis vs. Patricio Freire ‘makes the bantamweight division that much more spotlighted’

“I have a chance to fight somebody who’s going to be the Bellator GOAT. One of the best in MMA.”

HONOLULU – [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] welcomes the addition of [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] to bantamweight.

Featherweight champion Freire (35-5 MMA, 23-5 BMMA) will attempt to win titles in three different weight classes when he challenges bantamweight champ Sergio Pettis (22-5 MMA, 9-5 BMMA) in the co-main event of Bellator 297 on June 16 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

Interim champ Stots (19-1 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) will face the winner if he gets past Patchy Mix (17-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) in the bantamweight grand prix final in Saturday’s Bellator 295 headliner, and relishes the possibility of fighting a name like “Pitbull.”

He’s not a big guy,” Stots told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight news conference. “So hopefully he makes a good move to 35. I think this is just super exciting for the bantamweight division. Granted I win this fight on Saturday, I have a chance to fight somebody who’s going to be the Bellator GOAT. One of the best in MMA.

“I couldn’t be happier, I’m excited that he’s making that step. He’s also on the cusp of something great, which nobody in martial arts has done, three weight classes champion… that’s just an amazing feat for a lifetime. He’ll be remembered forever if he accomplishes that. For him to come down, and me to have the opportunity to face somebody like that, is crazy.”

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Stots is also happy that former training partner Pettis gets to have a name like Freire on his resume. He sees the entire division benefiting from Freire’s addition.

“But if you look on the other hand too, Sergio has a chance to beat somebody who’s done the unthinkable,” Stots added. “I think it’s an amazing fight. I’m super happy this was made. I feel like it’s an extension of a tournament, that just makes the bantamweight division that much more spotlighted.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.

Bellator 295: Quick picks and prognostications

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the main card for Bellator 295.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down Bellator’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main card for Bellator 295.

Bellator 295 takes place Saturday at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Welcome to MMAJunkie’s Quick Picks and Prognostications, where I’ll be giving brief, fight-day breakdowns for select main cards.

With that in mind, I hope these write-ups don’t come off as curt or dismissive, as my goal here is to offer quick picks and analysis in a digestible format. All odds listed are provided by Tipico Sportsbook.

If you’d like more detailed analysis from me, then feel free to check out my weekly show, The Protect Ya’ Neck Podcast.

So, without further ado…

Bellator 295 discussion thread

Bellator 295 takes place Saturday in Honolulu, and you can discuss the event here.

HONOLULU – Bellator 295 takes place Saturday at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. It kicks off at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). You can discuss the event here.

Be sure to follow along with the latest card updates in our https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/events/bellator-295-stots-vs-mix”>Bellator 295 live results post, and then discuss the event in the comments section below.

Round-by-round updates and official results begin at approximately 8 p.m. ET for the preliminary card on MMA Junkie and 11 p.m. ET for the main card on Showtime.

MMA Junkie Radio #3354: Jon Anik joins the show, Bellator & UFC preview, more

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 3,354, the fellas welcome in UFC commentator Jon Anik to discuss the latest in the world of MMA. They also dive into previews of Bellator 294, Bellator 295 and UFC Fight Night 222. That and much more. 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.

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Ray Borg retires (again) after Bellator 295 weigh-in mishap and release

Former UFC title challenger Ray Borg has retired again after a weight-related issue canceled his Bellator debut.

Former UFC title challenger [autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag] has announced his retirement from fighting in the wake of his release from Bellator MMA.

Borg, 29, wrote Friday on his personal Facebook page he will be “hanging it up” after his Bellator 295 bout vs. Kyoji Horiguchi was canceled due to weight-related issues.

“Things did not go as planned this weekend and I will not be fighting,” Borg wrote. “I made promise to myself that if another incident like this ever happened I would retire. So going forward I am officially out of the game and hanging it up. I just want to formally apologize to those I have let down and thank those that have been by my side throughout these crazy years. I am on a different journey in life now and I appreciate and love you all for always being Team Borg.”

While exact details remain unclear, Bellator president Scott Coker told MMA Junkie the promotion attempted multiple new contract weights to keep the fight afloat after Borg’s team informed them he was unlikely to make weight. Still, Borg did not weigh in, the bout was scrapped, and he was immediately cut from the Bellator roster.

“This is a professional fight league,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “This is not an amateur tournament. I think it’s time to say goodbye to both of them, and we’re going to move on and let them fight somewhere else, and good luck.”

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Borg, whose career has been plagued by fight cancellations mostly due to weight-related issues, was also axed from his longtime management firm Dominance MMA, which cited unprofessionalism.

The retirement Friday is not his first. In August 2020, he was released from the UFC after he was removed from a bout against Nate Maness. Days later, Borg retired – but less than one week later walked the announcement back.

The bout Saturday was expected to be Borg’s Bellator debut after he signed with the promotion. Between UFC and Bellator stints, Borg went 3-0 with fights for Eagle FC and UAE Warriors.

Borg competed 12 times in the UFC and compiled a 7-5 record, with the pinnacle of his promotional career by most accounts a UFC 216 title challenge loss to Demetrious Johnson.

Photos: Bellator 295 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos from the Bellator 295 ceremonial weigh-ins and pre-fight fighter faceoffs from Hawaii.

Check out these photos from the fighters on the scale at the Bellator 295 ceremonial weigh-ins and pre-fight fighter faceoffs at the host hotel in Honolulu. (Photos courtesy of Bellator MMA)

Video: Bellator 295 ceremonial weigh-in faceoff highlights from Hawaii

Watch the staredowns for the main card of Bellator 295, which takes place Saturday in Hawaii.

HONOLULU – The Bellator 295 fight card is now official following Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins.

Saturday’s event, which takes place at Neal S. Blaisdell Center and airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie, features the conclusion of the bantamweight grand prix finals in the main event, with Raufeon Stots and Patchy Mix set to clash for the interim 135-pound belt and $1 million tournament prize.

The rest of the main card features some familiar names to Bellator fans, from former champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to Aaron Pico.

Check out the faceoff highlights for the Bellator 295 main card in the video above, as well as a photo gallery below.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.

Patchy Mix eyes future title fight vs. Patricio Freire: ‘I want to punch myself into a superfight of the ages’

If Patchy Mix takes care of business against Raufeon Stots at Bellator 295, he has his eyes on a future showdown against Patricio Freire.

HONOLULU – Bellator bantamweight [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] is a big fan of Patricio Freire moving to his division, but perhaps for selfish reasons.

After defending his featherweight title against Adam Borics in the main event of Bellator 286, “Pitbull” announced his plans to drop to bantamweight, in hopes of becoming a three-division champion. Mix, who is competing in the bantamweight grand prix final against Raufeon Stots at Bellator 295, is all about Freire making the move.

“I think it’s great, you know?” Mix told MMA Junkie and other reporters during a pre-fight news conference. “Great for the division, great for the promotion. I have a lot of respect for Patricio ‘Pitbull’ for moving down, for trying to chase history to be a three-weight world champion. It’s hard to do.”

Freire gets his chance to accomplish that goal immediately in his first fight at 135 pounds. At Bellator 297 on June 16, he meets champ Sergio Pettis in the co-main event at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Based on past accomplishments at lightweight and featherweight, Mix admires the work “Pitbull” has put in.

“He defeated Michael Chandler, knocked him out for the 155-pound belt,” Mix said. “He was the only person to defeat A.J. McKee at 145, for that belt. He was a longtime holder of that belt, and now he goes to try to become a three-weight world champion. Now he’ll be a 135-pound contender against Sergio Pettis, and you know, nothing but respect.”

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Mix has a tough task of his own ahead of him Saturday in Stots, who has won 11 straight fights. However, “No Love” is confident in his abilities to get the job done and hopes “Pitbull” also takes care of business in June.

“I hope that he gets it done,” Mix said about Freire. “I want to fight the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter on the Bellator roster. I want a chance at the No. 1 guy. … I want him to win. I want to test myself with all the momentum against the No. 1 guy. If Sergio does get the job done, he’ll have been the one to get the No. 1 guy. Either way, I have a superfight lined up after this.”

If Mix defeats Stots, he will win the Bellator bantamweight grand prix, $1 million, and the interim title. He will have also stretched his win streak to five, which includes finishes of Albert Morales, James Gallagher, and Magomed Magomedov. If Mix can get past “Supa” Stots, he will be watching closely to see what happens between Freire and Pettis, because he believes his next fight will be major for his legacy.

“Saturday night, I want to punch myself into a superfight of the ages,” Mix said. “People don’t know it yet, but my team, myself, we all know: I’m one of the best bantamweights in the world. I believe I’m the best bantamweight in the world. My team, myself, more importantly, we know. All I have to do is just go out there, be myself, and I’ll prove it.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.

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Ray Borg, Keoni Diggs cut from roster after weigh-ins – one day before Bellator 295 in Honolulu

Bellator has released a pair of fighters after their bouts were canceled when they didn’t come to the weigh-ins scale in Honolulu.

HONOLULU – Bellator’s return to Hawaii has led to some disappointing news for a pair of fighters.

The promotion has released Ray Borg and Keoni Diggs after they struggled to make weight for Bellator 295 and never made their trips to the scale at Friday’s official weigh-ins. Those weight failures resulted in the cancellation of their fights.

Borg (16-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was set to make his Bellator debut against former bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi (31-5 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) to open the Bellator 295 main card on Showtime. Their fight was supposed to take place at flyweight, though Bellator does not have a men’s flyweight division. Then it was moved to 130 pounds, but Borg never made an attempt on the scale.

Diggs (10-2 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), from Hawaii, was scheduled to fight Weber Almeida (7-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) in a featherweight bout on the prelims.

“I think Ray and Keoni both had catchweights to begin with and we started with one contract price, and then they negotiated a catchweight because they couldn’t make weight,” Coker told MMA Junkie after Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins for Bellator 295 in Honolulu. “And then for them to miss weight completely … When it’s time to fight, this is a professional fight league. This is not an amateur tournament. I think it’s time to say goodbye to both of them, and we’re going to move on and let them fight somewhere else, and good luck.”

Borg has had weight issues in the past, and his resume includes 21 total fights – but now 17 known cancellations.

Coker said making the fight at flyweight was a way to get Horiguchi a bout in the weight class he prefers, but now it won’t happen – and he isn’t sure just how quickly he can get the former champ a fight.

“In the past, I get it,” Coker said. “But his management and my team assured me that he was going to be able to make weight and make the catchweight, which was 130 for sure. No problem. You go by the work becauase usually we don’t have a problem like this in a fight that big. But unfortunately, that’s what happened (Friday).

“Cutting weight might be difficult, and I’m not sure the details of why it didn’t work out. … It’s something that as a professional, you’ve got to make weight. That’s part of the deal. … We did everything we said we’re going to do. I feel bad for Horiguchi. I feel bad for his family who flew in from Japan.”

The news didn’t get much better for Borg on Friday. Along with his Bellator release before he even could fight there, his management company, Dominance MMA, released him from its stable of fighters. A statement from Dominance to John Morgan apologized to Bellator, Horiguchi and Horguchi’s gym, American Top Team, for Borg being “not willinng or able to make that weight, resulting in unnecessary complications for all involved. Given the circumstances, as well as our own embarrassment, we can no longer in good faith represent our now former client …”

Thursday, DeAnna Bennett missed for Friday’s Bellator 294 main event, meaning she can’t win the women’s flyweight title against Liz Carmouche. Coker said because the Carmouche-Bennett fight still is on, the promotion will wait until later to decide what comes next for Bennett.

Bellator 295 takes place Saturday at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Bellator 295

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.

Bellator 295 video: Raufeon Stots, Patchy Mix make weight for $1 million grand prix final

The stage is set for the conclusion of the Bellator bantamweight grand prix after finalists Raufeon Stots and Patchy Mix made weight.

HONOLULU – The stage is set for the conclusion of the Bellator bantamweight grand prix after finalists [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] and [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] made weight on Friday.

After going through the eight-man tournament, interim champ Stots (19-1 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) will meet Mix (17-1 MMA, 6-1 BMA) for the belt and $1 million grand prix prize in the Bellator 295 headliner on Saturday at Neal S. Blaisdell Center. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Both men did their jobs before the fight, with Stots tipping the sale at 134.2, while Mix was 135 pounds even.

Watch the video above to see Stots and Mix weigh in for the Bellator 295 main event.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.