Bellator Championship Series Results, Anderson Wins 1st World Title
The new Professional Fighters League presents Bellator Championship Series was on display for the first time in Belfast Ireland. We saw the crowning of a new king in one division while the longtime ruler of other proved to still have a heavy hand.
Since signing with Bellator MMA in 2020 the MMA community has seen a more open and happier Corey Anderson who’s added the title of Bellator Light-Heavyweight champion to proceed TUF 19 winner which had previously been the biggest accomplishment.
For the majority of five round main event Anderson, a division three All-American wrestler went back to his bread and butter. The Anderson right hands closing the distance into either single or double legs setting the tone for what was to come. Moore only getting back to his feet with the refs assistance. On his feet Moore was able to threaten left hooks & high kicks but couldn’t sustain offense. In the championship rounds Anderson relied on his experience and stuck to his guns for the full 25-minutes winning his first world title.
The question in the co-main event was about the demise of Bellator Featherweight kingpin “Pitbull” Freire. Hard to blame anyone who thought that way as “Pitbull” was coming in off losses in the weight-classes above and below his 145 lbs. Canada’s Jeremy Kennedy earning the title shot on the strength of three straight wins.
A trademark of Freire’s success had been his power. Freire’s power went against the Kennedy’s size and technical precision. The experience of champion showing in the first round. Kennedy took control in the second as calf kicks opened up a right hand sitting “Pitbull” down. The champ recovered into the clinch getting busted open by a short elbow from the challenger. Freire’s power would come into play in the third landing his own right hand. In retreat on the fence “Pitbull” unloaded a flurry that included punches, knees, & elbows to complete the comeback win.
Full Results
- Vacant Light-Heavyweight Title: (Now Champ) Corey Anderson (18-6) def. Karl Moore (12-3) by (50-45, 49-46 x2) Unanimous Decision
- Featherweight Title: (Still Champ) Patrico Freire (36-7) def. Jeremy Kennedy (19-4) by TKO (Strikes) 4:07 R3
- Middleweight: Fabian Edwards (13-3) def. Aaron Jeffery (14-5) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Featherweight Leandro Higo (23-6) def. James Gallagher (12-3) by (29-28 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Lightweight: Manoel Sousa (11-0) def. Tim Wilde (17-5-1) by KO (Left Hook) 4:48 R1
- Lightweight: Alfie Davis (17-4-1) def. Oscar Ownsworth (8-4-1) by (30-27 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Bantamweight: Ciaran Clarke (8-0) def. Darius Maifi (4-1) by Submission (Arm Triangle Choke) 0:41 R3
- Light-Heavyweight: Luke Trainer (8-1) def. Grant Neal (9-2) by (30-27 x3) Unanimous Decision
- Featherweight: Natham Kelly (10-2) def. Vikas Singh Ruhil (12-8) by KO (Elbow) 0:14 R1
- Heavyweight: Abraham Bably (4-0) def. Isaiah Pinson (3-1) by (30-27 x3) Unanimous Decision
- 130 Catchweight: Ammy Nater Kelly def. Jordan Elliott by Submission (Armbar) 1:48 R1
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