Tag: Khadzhimurat Bestaev

Bellator 286 post-event facts: Patricio ‘Pitbull’ adds to legacy with 12th title-fight win

Patricio Freire added to his records for most wins and title-fight victories in Bellator history with a dominant defense at Bellator 286.

The final stretch of Bellator’s 2022 schedule kicked off Saturday with Bellator 286, which took place at Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, Calif., and featured a 13-fight lineup.

The main event saw the most decorated fighter in company history further enhance his legacy when [autotag]Patricio Freire[/autotag] (34-5 MMA, 22-5 BMMA) cruised to a lopsided unanimous decision over [autotag]Adam Borics[/autotag] (18-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) to defend his featherweight title for the first time in what’s his third title reign in the division.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from Bellator 286.

Bellator 264 post-event facts: Andrey Koreshkov sets new welterweight wins record

Check out all the facts and figures from Bellator 264, which took place Friday in Uncasville, Conn.

Bellator 264 took place this past Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.

[autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (48-7-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) defended his Bellator middleweight title in the main event when he picked up a third-round TKO of [autotag]John Salter[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 8-2 BMMA).

For more on the numbers, check below for 22 pre-event facts to come out of Bellator 264.

Why Ty Gwerder sparred with Francis Ngannou to prepare for Bellator 264 fight

Ty Gwerder prepared for his matchup with Khadzhimurat Bestaev with the help of UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Going up against the tallest opponent he’s ever faced, [autotag]Ty Gwerder[/autotag] prepared for his Bellator 264 matchup against [autotag]Khadzhimurat Bestaev[/autotag] with the help of UFC heavyweight champion [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag].

“I sparred with Francis Ngannou and all those guys that are like 6’4″ and maybe some change,” Gwerder told MMA Junkie. “But 6’6″ is a whole different story.”

He continued, “You can feel his (Ngannou) presence in there. Especially with his size, you almost feel like – it’s almost like you’re in a telephone booth really when you’ve got a whole mat space. It still feels that way, especially with his power. We all know what it looks like. Imagine what it feels like, so going into a sparring session with him is like, ‘I don’t know if I want to do this.'”

Bellator 264 takes place Friday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Check out the full interview with Gwerder in the video above.

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Bellator 264 faceoff video highlights: Magomedov, Stots in each other’s face, touch foreheads

One final time before Bellator 264, Gegard Mousasi, John Salter and the rest of the card went face to face at the ceremonial weigh-ins.

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator makes its return Friday, and the promotion’s middleweight title will be on the line.

Bellator 264 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. Atop the card, 185-pound titleholder [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (47-7-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) defends his championship against surging contender [autotag]John Salter[/autotag] (18-4 MMA, 8-1 BMMA).

Also, former welterweight champion [autotag]Andrey Koreshkov[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 13-4 BMMA) takes on [autotag]Sabah Homasi[/autotag] (15-9 MMA, 4-3 BMMA), and bantamweight contenders Magomed Magomedov (18-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) and [autotag]Raufeon Stots[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-0 BMMA) meet in a pivotal clash.

Following Thursday’s Bellator 264 official weigh-ins, the fighters came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.

Check out the faceoffs below, including Mousasi vs. Salter, Koreshkov vs. Homasi, and Magomedov vs. Stots.