A New Chapter in MMA: Bellator Champions Series Debuts in Belfast with Star-Studded Lineup

Key Takeaways:

• The first-ever Bellator Champions Series, in partnership with PFL, kicks off tonight in Belfast.
• Corey Anderson and Karl Moore vie for the vacant Light Heavyweight Championship in the main event.
• Patricio Pitbull defends his Featherweight title against Jeremy Kennedy in a much-anticipated co-main event.
• The fight card is stacked with top-tier talent, including a Middleweight No. 1 Contender bout and several promising matchups.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – Tonight marks a pivotal moment in the world of mixed martial arts as Bellator MMA rolls out its inaugural Bellator Champions Series card, in a groundbreaking collaboration with The Professional Fighters League (PFL). The venue for this historic event? None other than The SSE Arena in Belfast, setting the stage for an electrifying night of fights featuring two World Championship bouts and a lineup filled with some of the planet's most formidable fighters.

In a clash that's got the entire MMA community buzzing, the main event spotlights America's Corey "Overtime" Anderson going head-to-head with Ireland's own Karl Moore for the coveted Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship. Anderson, renowned for his elite grappling skills and knockout prowess, catapulted to fame after winning Season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter. Since then, he's amassed an impressive resume, including victories over top fighters like Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira. After a brief stint in the UFC, Anderson joined Bellator, quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with. Tonight, he gets a golden opportunity to clinch the Light Heavyweight World Championship.

On the other side of the Octagon, Belfast's Karl Moore steps in with a stellar four-fight winning streak, having never faced defeat within the Bellator realm. The former Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion has notable victories that have propelled him to tonight's main event. Moore aims to secure the biggest win of his career and capture the World Championship belt in front of a supportive home crowd.

The co-main event features another thrilling matchup as Brazil's Patricio Pitbull puts his PFL Featherweight Championship on the line against Canada's Jeremy Kennedy. Pitbull, a Bellator legend, has etched his name in the record books with four title reigns across two weight divisions. Tonight, he returns to defend his Featherweight title, aiming to extend his dominance in the 145-pound division.

Jeremy Kennedy, a formidable contender from Canada, brings a wealth of experience from competing in various promotions, including the UFC and PFL. With four wins in his last five fights, Kennedy is poised to challenge Pitbull for the Featherweight Championship, aiming to etch his name in the annals of MMA history.

In addition to these headline-grabbing bouts, the Bellator Champions Series card is filled with compelling matchups, including a Middleweight No. 1 Contender bout between England’s Fabian Edwards and Canada’s Aaron Jeffrey, and a Featherweight showdown featuring Ireland's James Gallagher against undefeated Brazilian Leandro Higo.

Complete Bellator Champions Series Belfast Fight Card:

• Main Card:

  • Light Heavyweight Championship Bout: Corey Anderson vs. Karl Moore
  • Featherweight Championship Bout: Patricio Pitbull vs. Jeremy Kennedy
  • Middleweight No. 1 Contender Bout: Fabian Edwards vs. Aaron Jeffery
  • Featherweight Bout: James Gallagher vs. Leandro Higo
  • Lightweight Bout: Tim Wilde vs. Manoel Sousa

• Early CARD:

  • Bantamweight Bout: Ciaran Clarke vs. Darius Mafi
  • Lightweight Bout: Alfie Davis vs. Oscar Ownsworth
  • Light Heavyweight Bout: Luke Trainer vs. Grant Neal
  • 147.0 lbs Catchweight Bout: Nathan Kelly vs. Vikas Singh Ruhil (Note: Vikas Singh Ruhil missed weight, changing the bout to a catchweight match)
  • Heavyweight Bout: Abraham Bably vs. Isaiah Pinson
  • Amateur 130.0 lbs Catchweight: Nate Kelly vs. Jordan Elliott

Tonight's Bellator Champions Series in Belfast not only promises to deliver an unforgettable night of fights but also signifies a new chapter in the annals of mixed martial arts, blending top-tier competition with groundbreaking collaborations. As the fighters prepare to step into the Octagon, the world watches in anticipation for what promises to be a historic event in the sport of MMA.