Tag: Keyes Nelson

Bellator 284: Best photos from Sioux Falls

Check out these photos from the fights at Bellator 284.

Check out these photos from the fights at Bellator 284 which took place at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S. D. (Photos courtesy of Bellator MMA)

(Gallery updated throughout the event.)

Bellator 284 video: Wrestling standout Pat Downey runs through opponent in MMA debut

A former NCAA Division I All-American, Pat Downey says he was “canceled” from wrestling. Friday, he moved to 1-0 in his new venture.

[autotag]Pat Downey[/autotag]’s MMA debut Saturday was years in the making – and it only lasted 36 seconds.

At Bellator 284, Downey (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) ran through opponent [autotag]Keyes Nelson[/autotag] (0-4 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) in a 36-second submission victory. The event took place Saturday at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Downey, a former NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, went for the takedown immediately at the start of the fight. Two double underhooks later, he secured a grip and dumped Nelson to the canvas. After a few seconds in side control, Downey powerfully tore into the mount position. With Nelson mounted, Downey locked in an arm-triangle choke and squeezed. The tap came shortly thereafter.

In his post-fight interview, Downey declared he is coming for everyone in the Bellator middleweight division. He then celebrated with his lone cornerman, former UFC fighter Luis Pena.

Downey, 30, publicly planned a transition into MMA since 2020. A massive talent on the mats, Downey was a polarizing figure away from them.

Legal issues and social media controversies caused a butting of heads with the wrestling community, which Downey claimed “canceled” him as a result. Downey told MMA Junkie in February he had no regrets about his time in wrestling but hoped to live up to his true potential in MMA.

The up-to-the-minute Bellator 284 results include:

  • Pat Downey def. Keyes Nelson via submission (arm triangle choke) – Round 1, 0:36
  • Bailey Schoenfelder def. Mark Currier via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:35
  • Mitchell McKee def. Tony Ortega via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 1:28

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 284.

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