Tag: Emmanuel Sanchez

Bellator 263 post-event facts: A.J. McKee lights up record books with title win

Check out all the facts and figures from Bellator 263, which saw A.J. McKee become an undefeated champion with a main event win.

Arguably the biggest event in Bellator history went down Saturday with Bellator 263, which took place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and saw a title change hands in the main event.

The promotion’s 16-man featherweight grand prix came to a conclusion in the headliner when [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 18-0 BMMA) dethroned champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-5 MMA, 20-5 BMMA) by first-round submission to start a new era in the division and take home a $1 million prize.

For more on the numbers behind McKee’s title win, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 35 post-event facts to come out of Bellator 263.

Bellator 263 results: Mads Burnell overcomes Emmanuel Sanchez’s volume, wins unanimous decision

In the co-main of Bellator 263, Mads Burnell emerged victorious in a high-volume bout against Emmanuel Sanchez.

[autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] kept his undefeated Bellator run alive with an impressive showing against a high-volume opponent.

Although [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] offered punches in bunches, Burnell found a way to adjust throughout the fight to earn a unanimous decision victory.

The bout served as the co-main event of Bellator 263 at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., and aired on Showtime.

The two immediately began trading strikes once the fight began, and Sanchez (20-6 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) appeared to get the better of the first few exchanges.

Burnell (16-3 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) began offering a few kicks in return, but Sanchez kept putting together punching combinations that found the mark. The striking output from Sanchez continued at a high clip, mixing in punches to the body as he marched forward.

Burnell landed a nice counter of his own and decided to take the fight to the canvas by securing a nice takedown.

The fight returned to the feet moments later, where the furious striking pace continued. Burnell secured another takedown before the round expired, but nothing came of it.

The second round started with the same high offensive output from Sanchez that was seen in the first round. Burnell once again wanted to slow his opponent down by securing a takedown, but Sanchez popped back up before any damage could occur and continued to let his fists fly.

Burnell realizing he could get the fight to the mat if he wanted, continued to close the distance and brought the fight back to the canvas to close out the round.

Burnell looked for a takedown quickly at the start of the third round and found himself on Sanchez’s back. While he had a dominant position for a moment, Burnell couldn’t find the opening for a submission attempt before Sanchez created a scramble to escape.

Sanchez found himself on top briefly, but Burnell reversed position, putting his opponent on his back yet again. The fight would come to a conclusion with Burnell on top, landing punches as Sanchez did his best to defend.

All three judges saw the bout in favor of Burnell with scores of 29-28, 30-27, and 30-27.

The former Cage Warriors champion extends his win streak to seven while putting himself on the shortlist for a title shot in the featherweight division.

Sanchez drops his second fight in a row, but turned in a strong performance in a losing effort.

Up-to-the-minute results of Bellator 263 include:

  • Mads Burnell def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Usman Nurmagomedov def. Manny Muro via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 1, 3:30
  • Islam Mamedov def. Brent Primus via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Goiti Yamauchi def. Chris Gonzalez via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:03
  • Vanessa Porto def. Ilara Joanne via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Gadzhi Rabadanov def. Daniel Carey via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:57
  • Khasan Magomedsharipov def. Jonathan Quiroz via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:21
  • Joshua Jones def. Johnny Cisneros via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 2, 4:15
  • Georgi Karakhanyan def. Kiefer Crosbie via submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 1, 4:25
  • Brian Moore def. Jordan Winski via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)

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Bellator 263 salaries: Patricio Freire, A.J. McKee to pocket $1.4 million combined

The California State Athletic Commission released a full list of disclosed Bellator 263 fighter payouts to MMA Junkie ahead of the event.

LOS ANGELES – The Bellator 263 main event loser will take home a six-figure payday with the winner earning seven figures.

Bellator featherweight champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] is set to make $250,000 in disclosed show money while [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] will pocket $150,000 in disclosed show pay. The winner will be awarded an additional $1,000,000 – the prize that comes with winning the promotion’s 145-pound grand prix.

Bellator 263 takes place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

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Following the conclusion of Friday’s official weigh-ins at the host hotel, MMA Junkie acquired a list of disclosed payouts from the California State Athletic Commission. It is important to note the amounts do not include discretionary bonuses, viewership points or additional earnings.

The full list of Bellator 263 disclosed payouts (show/win) include:

MAIN CARD (10 p.m. E.T., Showtime)

  • Patricio Freire: ($250,000/$1,000,000) vs. A.J. McKee ($150,000/$1,000,000)
  • [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] ($26,000/$26,000) vs. [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] ($61,000/$61,000)
  • [autotag]Manny Muro[/autotag] ($26,000/$0) vs. [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] ($30,000/$30,000)
  • [autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] ($10,000/$10,000) vs. [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] ($50,000/$0)
  • [autotag]Chris Gonzalez[/autotag] ($31,000/$31,000) vs. [autotag]Goiti Yamauchi[/autotag] ($32,000/$32,000)

PRELIMS (7 p.m. E.T., MMA Junkie)

  • [autotag]Ilara Joanne[/autotag] ($13,000/$13,000) vs. [autotag]Vanessa Porto[/autotag] ($15,000/$15,000)
  • [autotag]Daniel Carey[/autotag] ($10,000/$10,000) vs. [autotag]Gadzhi Rabadanov[/autotag] ($25,000/$25,000)
  • [autotag]Khasan Magomedsharipov[/autotag] ($25,000/$0) vs. [autotag]Jonathan Quiroz[/autotag] ($10,000/$10,000)
  • [autotag]Johnny Cisneros[/autotag] ($4,000/$4,000) vs. [autotag]Joshua Jones[/autotag] ($4,000/$4,000)
  • [autotag]Kiefer Crosbie[/autotag] ($50,000/$0) vs. [autotag]Georgi Karakhanyan[/autotag] ($70,000/$0)
  • [autotag]Brian Moore[/autotag] ($25,000/$25,000) vs. [autotag]Jordan Winski[/autotag] ($10,000/$10,000)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXNByfW9aZw

 

Bellator 263 predictions: Who’s picking A.J. McKee to take Patricio Freire’s title?

Check out our staff members’ picks for Bellator 263, featuring a featherweight title fight between champ Patricio Freire and A.J. McKee.

Freire
vs.
McKee		 Burnell
vs.
Sanchez		 Muro
vs.
Nurmagomedov		 Mamedov
vs.
Primus		 Gonzalez
vs.
Yamauchi
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 111-66		 mckee2021
McKee
(64%)		 burnell2021
Burnell
(52%)		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov
(96%)		 mamedov2021
Mamedov
(65%)		 yamauchi2021
Yamauchi
(74%)
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 112-65
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 mckee2021
McKee		 sanchez2021
Sanchez		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 109-68		 mckee2021
McKee		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 109-68		 freire2021
Freire		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 108-69
trophy copy 2020 Champion		 freire2021
Freire		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 107-70
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 mckee2021
McKee		 sanchez2021
Sanchez		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 106-71		 mckee2021
McKee		 sanchez2021
Sanchez		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 106-71		 freire2021
Freire		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 105-72		 mckee2021
McKee		 sanchez2021
Sanchez		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 primus2021
Primus		 yamauchi2021
Yamauchi
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 105-72
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 freire2021
Freire		 sanchez2021
Sanchez		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 primus2021
Primus		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 104-73		 freire2021
Freire		 sanchez2021
Sanchez		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 yamauchi2021
Yamauchi
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 103-74		 freire2021
Freire		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 100-77		 freire2021
Freire		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
2021: 36-25		 mckee2021
McKee		 burnell2021
Burnell		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov		 mamedov2021
Mamedov		 gonzalez2021
Gonzalez
BetMGM
Betting Favorites		 freire2021
Freire -115		 burnell2021
Burnell -125		 usmannurmagomedov2021
Nurmagomedov -1100		 mamedov2021
Mamedov -200		 yamauchi2021
Yamauchi -165

Bellator makes its long-awaited return to the road this week with the featherweight title on the line at the top of the bill.

Bellator 263 takes place Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. 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.)

In the main event, lightweight and featherweight champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) puts his 145-pound title on the line against [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (17-0 MMA, 17-0 BMMA) in a fight that doubles as the featherweight grand prix final. It’s nearly a pick’em fight at the betting window, where Freire is at -115 at BetMGM with the comeback on McKee at -105. Not surprisingly, our 13 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are torn in their picks, too – Freire has the smallest possible edge at 7-6.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) is a slight favorite at -125 against two-time featherweight title challenger [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA). And like the close picks in the main event, it’s tight here, too. Burnell has a 7-6 lead from our pickers.

Our lone unanimous pick should come as little surprise. [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) is a massive 11-1 favorite against [autotag]Manny Muro[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 3-0 BMMA), and he’s got a 13-0 shutout in the picks.

[autotag]Islam Mamedov[/autotag] (19-1-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is a 2-1 favorite against former lightweight champion [autotag]Brent Primus[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 8-1 BMMA), and he’s got a big 11-2 picks lead.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Chris Gonzalez[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Goiti Yamauchi[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 11-4 BMMA) at lightweight. Yamauchi is the betting favorite at -165, but Gonzalez bucked the trend with our pickers at 11-2.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, McKee (64 percent), Burnell (52 percent), Nurmagomedov (96 percent), Mamedov (65 percent) and Yamauchi (62 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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Mads Burnell surprised Emmanuel Sanchez fight isn’t title eliminator at Bellator 263

Mads Burnell was expecting bigger implications from his Bellator 263 co-main event.

LOS ANGELES – [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] was expecting bigger implications from his Bellator 263 co-main event.

Burnell (15-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) faces former two-time title challenger [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) on Saturday and hoped to emerge as a No. 1 contender for the featherweight title.

But after the promotion determined that the Bellator 265 fight between Jay Jay Wilson and Adam Borics will serve as a title eliminator, Burnell was a little surprised.

“I’m only focused on this fight. What happens after, that’s after,” Burnell told MMA Junkie at the pre-fight news conference. “(Saturday), we get it on – we see who’s the best, and the best man continues, goes on, and probably gets the title shot. I thought initially this would be a title eliminator, but then I saw Jay Jay Wilson and Adam Borics had a title eliminator, No. 1 contender spot fight coming up, so it is what it is. I have this fight on Saturday – that’s all I’m focused on.”

Burnell may not earn a title shot with a win over Sanchez, but the stakes are high regardless for the Danish prospect. An impressive showing will push him a big step toward the winner of the grand prix final between champion Patricio Freire and undefeated challenger A.J. McKee, who headline Saturday’s card.

Bellator 263 takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Bellator 263 video: Emmanuel Sanchez, Mads Burnell face off before co-headliner

Check out the first faceoff of Bellator 263 fight week between co-headliners Emmanuel Sanchez and Mads Burnell.

LOS ANGELES – Bellator featherweights [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] and [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] got their first look at each other during fight week.

Sanchez (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) and Burnell (15-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) will co-headline Bellator 263 on Saturday at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. It’s a meaningful fight for the division as the 145-pound grand prix comes to a close in the main event between champion Patricio Freire and A.J. McKee.

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After Thursday’s Bellator 263 press conference, Sanchez and Burnell faced off. You can watch it in the video above.

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Patricio Freire vs. A.J. McKee set for grand prix final at Bellator 263 in Los Angeles

One of the biggest fights in Bellator history is finally set.

The final leg of the Bellator featherweight grand prix is set.

What started out as a tournament with 16 competitors has been whittled down to two. Having dominated their respective sides of the bracket, featherweight champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) and undefeated rising star [autotag]A.J. McKee[/autotag] (17-0 MMA, 17-0 BMMA) will square off in the Bellator 263 main event.

The event takes place July 31 at The Forum in Los Angeles with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

The promotion officially announced the matchup and event details at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday, which featured both main event participants and their coaches. MMA Fighting was the first to report the date of the matchup.

Bellator also confirmed [autotag]Magomed Magomedov[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] (15-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) vs. [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA), which were previously reported by MMA Junkie.

Additionally, the promotion announced a lightweight matchup between Khabib Nurmagomedov cousin [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Manny Muro[/autotag] (12-6 MMA, 2-0 BMMA).

The tournament began in September 2019 with 16 fighters. Freire defeated Juan Archuleta by decision, Pedro Carvalho by knockout, and Emmanuel Sanchez by submission to advance. McKee, meanwhile, finished Georgi Karakhanyan by knockout, Derek Campos by submission, and Darrion Caldwell by submission.

Now the two powerhouses will collide, with the 145-pound belt, a tournament title, and a $1 million prize on the line in what some are viewing as the biggest fight in promotion history.

The Bellator 263 lineup includes:

  • Champion Patricio Freire vs. A.J. McKee – grand prix final for the featherweight title
  • Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots
  • Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez
  • Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Manny Muro
  • Kiefer Crosbie vs. Georgi Karakhanyan

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Bellator 263 adds Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez

Featherweight contenders will collide July 31.

The Bellator 263 lineup continues to fill out as two more notable contenders have been added.

Featherweights [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] and [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] will square off at the July 31 event, which does not currently have a publicly announced location or venue, though Los Angeles is currently pegged as the frontrunner city.

Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.

Burnell (15-3 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) has rattled off six-straight wins following his UFC release in mid-2018, which included capturing the Cage Warriors featherweight title in June 2019. Since he signed with Bellator, Burnell finished both of his appearances with one TKO and one submission.

Sanchez (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) most recently competed in an unsuccessful title challenge, when he was submitted by featherweight champion Patricio Freire in the first round of their grand prix semifinal clash at Bellator 255. Prior to that, Sanchez had won three straight fights including back-to-back victories in the tournament against Tywan Claxton and Daniel Weichel.

With the addition, the Bellator 263 lineup includes:

  • Kiefer Crosbie vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
  • Magomed Magomedov vs. Raufeon Stots
  • Mads Burnell vs. Emmanuel Sanchez

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Bellator 255 video highlights: Patricio Freire cruises into showdown with A.J. McKee

Bellator got back to work Friday with its first event in 2021 and a new broadcast home on Showtime, and we’ve got the main card highlights.

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Bellator got back to work Friday with its first event in 2021 and a new broadcast home on Showtime.

In the main event, lightweight and featherweight champion [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) defended his 145-pound title with relative ease with a first-round technical submission of [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) in a rematch. The win pushed “Pitbull” into the final of Bellator’s featherweight tournament, where he’ll take on the unbeaten A.J. McKee later this year.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Jason Jackson[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) worked through an odd eye injury to get past [autotag]Neiman Gracie[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 8-2 BMMA); [autotag]Tyrell Fortune[/autotag] (10-1 MMA, 10-1 BMMA) let the bad blood come out and took care of [autotag]Jack May[/autotag] (11-8 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in their rematch from a no contest; [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] (12-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) looked good in his promotional debut against a gritty [autotag]Mike Hamel[/autotag] (7-5 MMA, 0-2 BMMA); and [autotag]Kana Watanabe[/autotag] (10-0-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) stayed unbeaten in a close fight against former title challenger [autotag]Alejandra Lara[/autotag] (9-4 MMA, 3-3 BMMA).

You can check out the highlights from the main card at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., in the video above. And don’t miss our photo gallery from the event below.

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Twitter reacts to Patricio Freire’s title defense against Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 255

See the top Twitter reactions to Patricio Freire’s quick title defense over Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 255.

[autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] continued to show why he’s Bellator’s greatest champion on Friday when he again defended the featherweight title against [autotag]Emmanuel Sanchez[/autotag] in the Bellator 255 main event.

Freire (32-4 MMA, 20-4 BMMA) secured his 10th Bellator title fight victory and advanced the featherweight grand prix finals when he beat Sanchez (20-5 MMA, 12-4 BMMA) by first-round submission in their rematch, which took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville. “Pitbull” will now face A.J. McKee in the final round.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Freire’s quick victory over Sanchez at Bellator 255.