Bellator’s star fighters got the better of PFL athletes over the weekend at an anticipated mixed martial arts event from Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
PFL vs. Bellator: Champs took place three months after the Professional Fighters League acquired rival organization, Bellator MMA, in a business deal that shook up the sport’s landscape.
Bellator titleholders Vadim Nemkov, Johnny Eblen and Jason Jackson were among the victorious fighters. Former boxing world champion Claressa Shields improved to 2-1 in MMA with a win on the preliminary card.
PFL heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira made quick work of Ryan Bader in the main event. Ferreira is expected to face Francis Ngannou at a future PFL event when Ngannou, the former UFC heavyweight champion, makes his organizational debut after he competes in a boxing match with Anthony Joshua.
Below are the complete PFL vs. Bellator: Champs results...
MAIN CARD
-- Renan Ferreira def. Ryan Bader via technical knockout at 0:21 of Round 1
-- Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
-- Jason Jackson def. Ray Cooper III via technical knockout at 0:23 of Round 2
-- Vadim Nemkov def. Bruno Cappelozza via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) at 2:13 of Round 2
-- Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 29–28)
-- A.J. McKee def. Clay Collard via submission (armbar) at 1:10 of Round 1
PRELIMINARY CARD
-- Aaron Pico def. Henry Corrales via technical knockout at 4:53 of Round 1
-- Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Emmanuel Palacio via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27)
-- Claressa Shields def. Kelsey DeSantis via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
-- Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Edukondala Rao via TKO at 0:23 of Round 3
-- Malik Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira via unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, 30–27)
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