Tag: Emmanuel Sanchez

Bellator 297 post-event facts: Vadim Nemkov achieves rare feat in dominant title defense

Check out all the facts from Bellator 297, where Vadim Nemkov took another step toward arguably the greatest resume in Bellator history.

Bellator’s lone event of the month went down Friday with Bellator 297 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, and it was arguably the promotion’s biggest show of the year thus far.

Two championship bouts topped the card, and both men who entered the cage with belts, lefts with them, too. [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] (16-2 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) handily defeated [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (15-7 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) by unanimous decision in the headliner to retain the light heavyweight strap, while [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (23-5 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) kept hold of bantamweight gold with a unanimous decision over [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (35-6 MMA, 22-6 BMMA).

For more on the numbers, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from Bellator 297.

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Bellator 297 pre-event facts: Patricio ‘Pitbull’ can be first to achieve triple champ status

Check out all the facts and figures about Bellator 297, where Patricio Freire is on the cusp of an unprecedented MMA accomplishment.

The biggest Bellator event of the year so far goes down Friday with Bellator 297, which takes place at Wintrust Arena in Chicago with a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

A championship doubleheader is featured on the top of a loaded card. In the main card, [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) will attempt to make his third light heavyweight title defense when he takes on [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 2-1 BMMA). The co-headliner, meanwhile, sees the return of bantamweight titleholder [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), who attempts to defend against current featherweight and former lightweight champ [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (35-5 MMA, 22-5 BMMA) in a potentially historic affair.

For more on the numbers behind the two title fights, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts about Bellator 297.

Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (April 10-16)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC or Bellator.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie from April 10-16

Yancy Medeiros wins Bellator 279 homecoming in Hawaii, outslugs Emmanuel Sanchez in three-round banger

It was a successful homecoming for one of Oahu’s sons as he thrilled fans en route to a skid-snapping victory.

HONOLULU – [autotag]Yancy Medeiros[/autotag]’ Bellator debut was a success – and it couldn’t have come at a location and venue more meaningful to him.

In front of his home island crowd, Medeiros (16-8 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) defeated [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-8 MMA, 12-7 BMMA) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) and sent the Neal S. Blaisdell Center, including pal Nate Diaz, into a frenzy.

From the opening bell, Medeiros and Sanchez slugged it out. When Sanchez tried to take Medeiros down, he defended successfully – a theme for the rest of the bout. Sanchez had his moments in the striking department, as he rocked Medeiros on multiple occasions with his punches. Sanchez’s leg kicks were on point.

Things went solidly for Sanchez in each round until they didn’t. Medeiros rallied with his striking and landed wobble-inducing shots. In the final round, Medeiros pointed to the center of the cage and the two slugged it out. The exchanges leaned toward Medeiros, who ultimately won the fight.

The fight was a one-off for Medeiros, who parted ways with the UFC in 2021. The victory snapped a four-fight skid for the Oahu-born fighter and could lead to further opportunities with Bellator.

As for Sanchez, the loss is his fourth in a row. Sanchez moved up to lightweight for this bout after multiple failed title attempts at featherweight.

  • Yancy Medeiros def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Goiti Yamauchi def. Levan Chokheli via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:49
  • Bobby King def. Keoni Diggs via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Dayana Silva def. Janay Harding via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Justin Gonzales def. Kai Kamaka via split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Lance Gibson Jr. def. Nainoa Dung via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25)

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Bellator 279 ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs video: Title fights, grand prix bouts, and more

The event in Honolulu features Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe, Juan Archuleta vs. Raufeon Stots, Patchy Mix vs. Kyoji Horiguchi, and more.

HONOLULU – The pre-fight necessities are in the books for the second of two Bellator events this week, and all that’s left to do is fight.

The Bellator 279 fighters got face to face for the first and only time, officially at least, at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-ins. Included in that mix were headliners [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] (25-2 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Arlene Blencowe[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 8-4 BMMA), who fight for Cyborg’s women’s featherweight title.

A few quick words were exchanged, though seemingly nothing personal. Cyborg sported artistically-worked facepaint of the Brazilian flag.

The most intense faceoff was between co-main eventers [autotag]Juan Archuleta[/autotag] (25-3 MMA, 7-2 BMMA) and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA), who compete in an interim bantamweight title fight that doubles as a grand prix quarterfinal. The other quarterfinalists competing Saturday, [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] (15-1 MMA, 4-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] (29-4 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) had a lighter mood as the two flexed and shook hands.

Former women’s flyweight champion and Hawaii native [autotag]Ilima-Lei Macfarlane[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 10-1 BMMA) showed a sign of respect to opponent [autotag]Justine Kish[/autotag] (7-5 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) when she presented her with a lei.

Saturday’s card at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu is the second of back-to-back Bellator events in Hawaii’s capital city. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie. Check out all the faceoffs for Bellator 279 in the video above.

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Yancy Medeiros gets wish, signs on for Hawaii homecoming against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 279

A certified banger by most’s standards is headed to the Aloha State.

[autotag]Yancy Medeiros[/autotag] asked and then received.

A Hawaiian homecoming is in order for the former UFC fighter Medeiros (15-8 MMA) who has signed to fight [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-7 MMA, 12-6 BMMA) in a lightweight bout at Bellator 279.

Sources with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Bellator 279 takes place Saturday, April 23 at Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, as the second leg of a two-event-in-one-weekend showing for the promotion. Bellator 278 takes place the day prior, Friday, April 22 at the same venue. The main cards stream on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Medeiros recently lobbied for a chance in Bellator after the promotion announced its 2022 return to Hawaii. Bellator president Scott Coker voiced indecision when asked if a spot was available for the former UFC headliner. However, days later, a deal has been done. Medeiros worked for Coker during their tenures with Strikeforce.

Yet to fight since his UFC departure, Medeiros will look to snap the four-fight skid which led to his promotional exit.

Meanwhile, Sanchez, a two-time Bellator title challenger looks to turn his luck around, too. Currently on a three-fight skid, Sanchez has proved to be a tough out for Patricio Freire, Jeremy Kennedy, and Mads Burnell – the three men who most recently beat him.

With the addition, the Bellator 279 lineup includes:

  • Champion Sergio Pettis vs. Raufeon Stots – grand prix quarterfinal for bantamweight title
  • Champion Cris Cyborg vs. Arlene Blencowe – for women’s featherweight title
  • Kyoji Horiguchi vs. Patchy Mix – grand prix quarterfinal
  • Justine Kish vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
  • Yancy Medeiros vs. Emmanuel Sanchez

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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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Emmanuel Sanchez focused on Jeremy Kennedy, but hopes to rebook A.J. McKee bout

Looking to forge a path back to the title, Emmanuel Sanchez hopes to get back the one fight he had to pull out of in his career.

There’s only one fight that got away from [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] in his 10-year professional career and he hopes to get it back soon.

Sanchez (20-6 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) is just days away from facing Jeremy Kennedy (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA), a very tough opponent who has spent time under the UFC and PFL banners. Sanchez is not looking past his scheduled opponent by any means, but took some time to reflect on the one fight that he wishes happened with it was originally scheduled for Bellator 166 in 2016.

“We’ve got this new champion in A.J. McKee,” Sanchez stared at Wednesday’s Bellator 272 media day. “Great fighter. We were scheduled to fight a few years ago and it didn’t happen. It’s actually the only fight that I needed to pull out from. I know I’ll get that back one day and I hope he stays on top. First and foremost, it’s Jeremy Kennedy and I’ll work my way back up.”

Although the fight against McKee didn’t happen, Sanchez went on to win four fights in a row as part of a 7-1 stretch after the fight fell through. He has since dropped his last two against Patricio Pitbull and Mads Burnell but is confident he can reach the top of the division – and it all starts on Friday against Kennedy.

The bout serves as the co-main event of Bellator 272, which takes place on Friday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and airs on Showtime.

Check out the full media day interview with Sanchez in the video above.

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Bellator 272 pre-event facts: Kyoji Horiguchi returns with historic resume

Check out all the facts and figures behind Bellator 272, which takes place Friday with Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi in the main event.

Bellator closes out its 2021 event schedule on Friday with Bellator 272, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and has a main card that airs on Showtime following prelims streamed on MMA Junkie.

A highly anticipated bantamweight title fight headlines the card. Champion [autotag]Sergio Pettis[/autotag] (21-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) will attempt to make his first defense against former titleholder [autotag]Kyoji Horiguchi[/autotag] (29-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), who will attempt to regain the belt he was forced to vacate in November 2019 due to a knee injury.

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 20 pre-event facts about Bellator 272.

Bellator 272 adds Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Jeremy Kennedy, three other fights

Emmanuel Sanchez, Jeremy Kennedy, and Killys Mota are among the additions.

The Bellator 272 lineup continues to build with four recent additions including a bout between two top featherweight contenders.

Two-time Bellator title challenger [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-6 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) will look to end a recent losing skid when he battles former UFC fighter [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) in a three-round featherweight bout.

A promotion official informed MMA Junkie of the booking on Thursday, in addition to a lightweight booking between [autotag]Mike Hamel[/autotag] (8-5 MMA, 1-2 BMMA) and [autotag]Killys Mota[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA).

The Bellator official also confirmed a bantamweight bout between [autotag]Tommy Espinosa[/autotag] (6-3 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Jornel Lugo[/autotag] (7-0 MMA, 4-0 BMMA), which was initially reported by My MMA News, as well as a welterweight fight between [autotag]Levan Chokheli[/autotag] (9-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) and [autotag]Vinicius de Jesus[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 3-2 BMMA), which was first reported by Cageside Press.

Bellator 272 takes place Friday, Dec. 3 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

With the additions, the Bellator 272 lineup includes:

  • Champ Sergio Pettis vs. Kyoji Horiguchi – for featherweight title
  • Jeremy Kennedy vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
  • Josh Hill vs. Jared Scoggins
  • John de Jesus vs. Keoni Diggs
  • Killys Mota vs. Mike Hamel
  • Levan Chokheli vs. Vinicius de Jesus
  • Tommy Espinosa vs. Jornel Lugo

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