Bellator 255: Patricio Pitbull Freire beats Emmanuel Sanchez to advance to $1m grand prix final
By Simon HeadMMA writer
3 hours ago3 hours ago.From the section Mixed Martial Arts
Two-division Bellator champion Patricio Pitbull Freire produced a clinical performance to retain his 145-pound title and move into the final of the $1m featherweight grand prix.
Freire, 33, who holds Bellator s titles at both featherweight and lightweight, showcased his punch power, then his grappling skills, to defeat American contender Emmanuel Sanchez via first-round technical submission in the main event of Bellator 255 - claiming a record 20th win under the Bellator banner.
The bout also formed the second semi-final of the promotion s featherweight world grand prix, with the Brazilian moving on to the finale where he will take on undefeated American contender AJ McKee for the undisputed title and prize of $1m (£723,000).
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Bellator MMA is returning for the first time in 2021 to stage Bellator 255: “Pitbull vs. Sanchez 2” tomorrow night (Fri., April 2, 2021) inside Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., airing (for free) on Showtime. Headlining the event will be a 145-pound title bout between division kingpin, Patricio Freire defending his strap against Emmanuel Sanchez. The bout will also serve as the last semifinal match in the Featherweight World Grand Prix, which was put on hold in 2020 because of COVID-19.
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Usman Nurmagomedov: Bellator star hoping to follow in cousin Khabib s footsteps
By Paul BattisonBBC Sport
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Bellator 255
Date: Friday 2 April
Coverage: Watch live coverage on BBC iPlayer from 23:00 BST & weigh-in from 16:00 BST on Thursday 1 April
Usman Nurmagomedov says he wants to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Khabib before his Bellator debut on Friday.
The Russian, who has won all 11 of his professional MMA fights, faces Mike Hamel in a lightweight bout at Bellator 255, which will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer.
Khabib is regarded as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time after retiring from the sport last year with a perfect 29-0 record.