Bellator 301 video: Tim Wilde one-punch KOs Mike Hamel, celebrates, forced to land second blow

Referee Rob Madrigal needed to see Mike Hamel get cracked one more time by Tim Wilde before he stopped the fight at Bellator 301.

[autotag]Tim Wilde[/autotag] could’ve had a one-punch, walkoff knockout had referee Rob Madrigal not needed to see one more blow to a finished [autotag]Mike Hamel[/autotag].

On Friday at Bellator 301 in Chicago, Wilde (17-4-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) finished Hamel (11-6 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) with punches at 2:47 of Round 3 during their lightweight bout at Wintrust Arena.

Wilde stunned Hamel with a head kick in the sequence prior to the finish. As Hamel tried to regain his bearings, Wilde crushed him with a straight right. With Hamel visibly out of it, down on all fours and facing the wrong way, Madrigal took a closer look, but it wasn’t enough. Wilde, who celebrated with his hands up, reentered fight mode and put an exclamation point on the finish with a big left hand that forced Madrigal to step in.

With the victory, Wilde extended his unbeaten streak to six. In defeat, Hamel has a four-fight winning streak snapped.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 301 results include:

  • Tim Wilde def. Mike Hamel via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 2:47
  • Yves Landu def. Isao Kobayashi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Danny Sabatello: Bellator 301 rematch with heated and hated rival Raufeon Stots a ‘dream matchup’ in Chicago

Danny Sabatello found himself in position to defend his upbringing when called out by Raufeon Stots ahead of Bellator 301 in Chicago.

CHICAGO – [autotag]Danny Sabatello[/autotag] was born in Chicago and grew up on the North Side of the city.

But Wednesday, he found himself in position to have to defend his origin story when his bitter rival Raufeon Stots said he didn’t grow up in the kind of rough-and-tumble streets of Chicago that would make his “Italian Gangster” name appropriate. Instead, Stots said he’s from the suburbs, dresses too “metrosexual” to be tough, and generally is too pretty.

Sabatello thinks Stots, who beat him by split decision 11 months ago to win the interim bantamweight title, which he lost to Patchy Mix in April when Mix won the $1 million grand prix, is worried about what changes he’ll have made this time around to show his home fans.

“I don’t feel pressure at all,” Sabatello told MMA Junkie and other media members at the pre-fight media day for Bellator 301. “I did win the last fight with Raufeon, but now we’re in my backyard in Chicago – it’s going to be different now. It’s a dream matchup. When Bellator gave me the call about this fight, I was surprised he was awake after Patchy Mix knocked him out. But since he was awake, I took the fight. It’s really good because we hate each other. He hates me because I’m ridiculously good-looking. We’ll figure it out Friday night.

“This fight, I’m going to have much more volume compared to last fight. Everyone knows I dominated this guy last fight, and I’m going to do the same this fight. Look at the betting odds for this fight and you’ll see I’m the favorite. I’lll be kicking, punching and elbowing him the whole fight. I see myself finishing the fight this time around.”

Sabatello (14-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) talked about has changes, the rivalry with Stots (19-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) and more at the pre-fight media day for Bellator 301.

Check out Sabatello’s full interview in the video above ahead of the event, which takes place Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Raufeon Stots: I’ll get a bigger crowd pop than Danny Sabatello in his Chicago home city

Former interim bantamweight champ Raufeon Stots thinks the fans in Chicago don’t really like their hometown fighter, Danny Sabatello.

CHICAGO – [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] is reasonably sure he’s not going to be in enemy territory Friday in Chicago.

Eleven months ago, Stots took a split decision from Sabatello at Bellator 289 and won the interim bantamweight title. The buildup to their fight was filled with all kinds of heat, and it hasn’t let up – to the point they’re rematching less than a year later, and the winner likely will move into the No. 1 contender spot for the winner of Friday’s co-main event between champ Sergio Pettis and interim champ Patchy Mix, who knocked out Stots in April.

But even though Sabatello hails from the North Side of Chicago and will be fighting at home for the first time in his career, Stots thinks he’s going to have a better response from the “Windy City” fans than his heated and hated rival, who will be looking to rebound from a submission loss to Magomed Magomedov in Japan.

“It’s pretty funny it’s his home town, but I think I’m going to get a bigger pop from the crowd than him,” Stots told Sabatello when he spoke to MMA Junkie and other media members at the pre-fight media day for Bellator 301. “I believe everyone in your home town hates you. It’s funny you mention Patchy and me because in your last fight, you tapped like a b*tch (to Magomedov) and ran out like when you fought me the last time. It’s going to be 2-0 Stots come Friday night.”

Stots (19-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) talked about that matchup, his rivalry with Sabatello (14-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) and more at the pre-fight media day for Bellator 301.

Check out Stots’ full interview in the video above ahead of the event, which takes place Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Video: Will Bellator 301 be the promotion’s curtain call?

Will there be a Bellator 302? Our “Spinning Back Clique” breaks down what could be the final event in Bellator 301.

If Bellator 301 is the final event for the promotion, there are some solid matchups to go out on.

The event taking place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago brings a pair of title fights along with a few other intriguing matchups. In the main event, [autotag]Yaroslav Amosov[/autotag] puts his welterweight title on the line against [autotag]Jason Jackson[/autotag]. In the co-feature, [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] in a bantamweight title unification bout.

Also on the card is a heated rivalry matchup between [autotag]Danny Sabatello[/autotag] and former interim bantamweight champ [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag]. Former featherweight champion A.J. McKee also is in action against Sidney Outlaw. Rounding out the main card is a lightweight grand prix semifinal bout between Patricky Freire and Alexander Shabliy.

These are solid matchups on paper, but the event doesn’t seem to have the same buzz around it as the promotion’s previous event. Is it because the promotion’s future beyond this event is uncertain? Will there be a Bellator 302?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” panel of Mike Bohn, Nolan King and Brian “Goze” Garcia answered those questions with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

You can watch their discussion in the video above and check out this week’s full episode on YouTube below.

Bellator 301: Quick Picks and Prognostications

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the main card for Bellator 301 in Chicago.

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down Bellator’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main card for Bellator 301.

Bellator 301 takes place Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. 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 301 official weigh-in highlights and photo gallery

Official weigh-ins for Bellator 301 are complete following Thursday’s session. Check out our photo gallery and video highlights.

CHICAGO – The Bellator 301 fight card now is official following Thursday’s official weigh-in session.

Friday’s card, which takes place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, is headlined by a pair of title fights. It streams on ESPN+.

Welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) takes on challenger Jason Jackson (16-4 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) in the main event. In the co-feature, bantamweight champ Sergio Pettis (23-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) meets interim titleholder Patchy Mix (18-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) in a unification bout.

In addition, former lightweight champ Patricky Freire (25-11 MMA, 16-9 BMMA) fights Alexander Shabliy (23-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) in the semifinals of the lightweight grand prix, former featherweight champ A.J. McKee (20-1 MMA, 20-1 BMMA) takes on Sidney Outlaw (17-5 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) at lightweight, and bitter rivals Danny Sabatello (14-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) and Raufeon Stots (19-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) meet in a bantamweight rematch that could produce the next in line for the Pettis-Mix winner.

Check out the weigh-in highlights in the video above, and a link to the photo gallery from Thursday’s happenings below.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

MMA Junkie Radio #3413: UFC and Bellator previews, plus guests Kenny Florian, Baris Adiguzel

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 3,413, the guys had two cards to preview, UFC Fight Night 232 & Bellator 301. They promoted the second SBC show and had two guests; Kenny Florian talked PFL, and a prospect they’ve had their eye on in Baris Adiguzel, who just had a nasty 16-second KO at Cage Warriors. Tune in!

Photos: Bellator 301 ceremonial weigh-ins, faceoffs in Chicago

Check out these photos from the fighters on the scale at the Bellator 301 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs in Chicago.

Check out these photos from the fighters on the scale at the Bellator 301 ceremonial weigh-ins and faceoffs in Chicago. (Photos by Matt Erickson–MMA Junkie)

Video: Bellator 301 title fight faceoffs in Chicago

Check out the faceoff highlights for the main card fights at Bellator 301 in Chicago.

CHICAGO – The Bellator 301 fight card now is official following Thursday’s ceremonial weigh-in session.

Friday’s card, which takes place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, features two title fights and airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Welterweight champion Yaroslav Amosov (27-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) takes on challenger Jason Jackson (16-4 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) in the main event. In the co-feature, bantamweight champ Sergio Pettis (23-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) meets interim titleholder Patchy Mix (18-1 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) in a unification bout.

In addition, former lightweight champ Patricky Freire (25-11 MMA, 16-9 BMMA) fights Alexander Shabliy (23-3 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) in the semifinals of the lightweight grand prix, former featherweight champ A.J. McKee (20-1 MMA, 20-1 BMMA) takes on Sidney Outlaw (17-5 MMA, 5-2 BMMA) at lightweight, and bitter rivals Danny Sabatello (14-3 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) and Raufeon Stots (19-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) meet in a bantamweight rematch that could produce the next in line for the Pettis-Mix winner.

Check out the weigh-in highlights in the video above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 301.

Bellator 301 predictions: Are we unanimous in Chicago’s two title fights?

Check out our staff members’ picks and analysis for Bellator 301 in Chicago.

Bellator is back in the “Windy City” for the third time in a year with two title bouts atop the card.

Bellator 301 takes place Friday at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

Get pick results from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, as well as additional analysis, below.