The MMA landscape changed forever. A new era has 𝗔𝗥𝗥𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗗@PFLMMA acquires @BellatorMMA creating a 𝗚𝗟𝗢𝗕𝗔𝗟 𝗠𝗠𝗔 𝗣𝗢𝗪𝗘𝗥𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 pic.twitter.com/fWldsDNpPC

— PFL (@PFLMMA) November 20, 2023

The PFL has officially acquired Bellator and it means a new day has officially arrived in the MMA landscape.

Per a press release, Bellator will continue as a “reimagined brand” in 2024 with “all Bellator fighters becoming available to compete in PFL franchises.”  Exactly how this is expected to be divided is still uncertain but it does confirm that the contracts of all Bellator fighters will indeed go under the umbrella of the PFL, thus adding a significant amount of elite talent to their already respectable roster.

The Todd Atkins MMA Show first reported news of a potential sale of Bellator to the PFL earlier this year. In late October, journalist Al Zullino reported that the sale had been finalized.

PFL CEO Donn Davis announced that the Bellator brand would operate primarily outside of the US as “Bellator International Champions Series” which hints that the brand would continue their strong presence in Europe where fan reception to events has been astronomical.

Davis also announced that the plan was to host a super-event next year that would feature the Bellator champions against the PFL champions, the latter of which will be determined at their event this Friday which concludes the 2023 season.

As of this writing, it has not been established exactly which fighters will continue to anchor the Bellator brand and which will be part of the PFL vs Bellator event.  It should be noted, however, that the PFL does not currently have divisions for several of the weight classes that Bellator does such as men’s bantamweight, men’s middleweight, and women’s flyweight.  Another point to address is that it is completely possible that just because the fighters are in a division that the PFL houses it does not mean that they will fight in the PFL immediately.

Exactly where Bellator goes with their lightweight Grand Prix is unclear and has not yet been addressed.  On Friday, Alexandr Shabliy defeated Patricky “Pitbull” Freire to reach the finals of the tournament.  A week earlier, champion  Usman Nurmagomedov had his victory over Brent Primus overturned to a No Contest after testing positive for a banned substance.  What the promotion’s plan, if there was one at all with the impending merger, for the tournament going forward was not made official.  Whether there is a tournament final at all as part of the Bellator International Series has not been announced.

PFL CEO Donn Davis is scheduled to make a media appearance later today to discuss the merger.

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In the main event, Dillion Cox and Cody Linne faced off for an interim flyweight title, while Motaz Askar vs. Ty Johnson for the vacant APFC featherweight title served as co-headliner.

The final Anthony Pettis FC event of 2023 had a number of special guests booked, including CM Punk, Nate Diaz, and Frank Mir.

PFL, LFA, and TUF 31 alum Nate Jennerman was also on the card, taking on Lashawn Alcocks.

Where to Watch Anthony Pettis FC 9

APFC 9: Milwaukee Fight Night 3 streams live on UFC Fight Pass, with the main card getting underway at 8:30PM ET. Prelims are expected to stream on the APFC Youtube channel ahead of that broadcast starting at 4:15PM. Full results from the event can be found below.

Anthony Pettis FC 9: Milwaukee Fight Night 3 Full Results

Main Card

Cody Linne def. Dillion Cox by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 3:52 — for the Anthony Pettis FC interim flyweight championship
Ty Johnson def. Motaz Askar by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) — for the vacant Anthony Pettis FC featherweight championship
Nate Jennerman vs. Lashawn Alcocks by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3, 3:39
Kory Beck def. Sergio Plascencia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Tyler Veal def. Shane WhiteEagle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Brandan Olivas def. JJ Redmond by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:27
Nohili Kahepuu def. Stefan Ivanov by TKO, Round 2, 1:16

Preliminary Card

Mohammed Maali def. Thomas Vievering by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 1, 1:31
Johnny Mologousis def. Thomas Caballero by TKO, Round 1, 1:09 — Amateur bout
Bill Prochniewski def. Gabe Barron by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 1:49 — Amateur bout
Abimael Martinez def. Luigi Tacuri by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) — Amateur bout
Tom Kuo def. Jonathan Tacuri by TKO, Round 1, 1:05 — Amateur bout
Alex Hulbert def. Adarion Mahone by KO, Round 1, 1:10 — Amateur bout
Romero Stancle def. Brian Deleon by TKO, Round 1, 1:50 — Amateur bout
Dearion Stokes def. Trammell Arrington by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) — Amateur bout
Miguel Gutierrez def. Jake Muellner by decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) — Amateur bout
Rudy Johnson III def. Jalan Gibson by TKO, Round 1, 1:15 — Amateur bout

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Allen has positioned himself as a potential future title challenger with his 10-2 UFC record and six-fight winning streak. The Louisiana native has an incredibly well-rounded skillset, able to finish the fight with his fists or his jiu-jitsu. He ran into a man who is much the opposite, a lethal weapon with his BJJ but with less than stellar striking, the Scotsman Paul Craig. Craig had been a light-heavyweight his whole career until he moved down in early 2023. His first middleweight fight was a success as he finished fellow BJJ ace Andre Muniz. The ‘Bearjew’ looked to continue that and push into the top end at 185-lbs.

The fight began as a low-paced striking match; Allen landed a few decent punches and missed some bigger ones. He clinched up with Craig a minute in and landed some knees but Craig pushed Allen to the fence and went for a takedown. Allen responded with a hip throw that placed Paul firmly on the mat. Brendan almost got back mount but settled in half-guard. Craig went for a calf slicer from bottom which almost gave Allen a chance to get a rear-naked choke, but he instead went for a leg lock which gave Paul a chance to get to his feet. However on the feet Allen just lifted and threw the Scotsman to the mat again. Allen got on top in the guard of Craig and used the can opener to make him uncomfortable while controlling him until the end of the round.

An early striking exchange went Allen’s way in round two and that caused Craig to simply pull guard, which Brendan Allen obliged. From on top he landed a big elbow that split open Paul’s eyebrow. Blood flowed onto the mat as Allen completed a strong pass to half-guard and then full mount. Craig managed to regain half-guard, which saved him from the arm triangle attempt that Allen put on him. Despite failing at his submission, Allen still rained down sharp elbows and short punches while maintaining a low and heavy top control. Brendan got a late back-take and choke attempt, which was halted by the end-of-round buzzer.

The third round began with Allen smacking Craig with a right hand. Allen crashed into the clinch and locked up a guillotine choke. He dropped down on it but Craig got his head out. However the Scotsman was wilting by this point and Allen easily transitioned to a back take. The rear-naked choke came quick and Paul Craig was forced to tap.

A six-fight winning streak gives Brendan Allen one of the best arguments at a title fight if he can get one more win against a top-five contender. He has finished five out of six fights on this winning streak and will surely find himself with a significantly higher ranking at middleweight come the rankings update on Tuesday.

Official Result: Brendan Allen def. Paul Craig by Submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 0:38 

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Early on in the UFC Vegas 82 co-feature, it was Matthews holding center, but soon enough Morales pressed back, both men ready to strike at a moment’s notice. It was single strikes through the first 90 seconds or so, with plenty of feints mixed in. Matthews slipped, but quickly returned to his feet, averting possible disaster. Moments later, however, a powerful Morales punch pushed Matthews back; while Matthews landed as well, there was a clear differential in power.

As the opening round wore on, Matthews played the counter game, though more often than not he hit air, not Michael Morales. However, “The Celtic Kid” did hit the mark at least once; Morales, meanwhile, fired an explosive jump knee and always seemed ready to finish the fight.

Morales went on the attack about a minute into the second round, firing uppercuts and straight punches, forcing Matthews to cover up and retreat. Matthews regrouped, and began pushing forward again, firing a 1-2, circling, and looking for a way inside only to eat a leg kick or two. The second frame was a back-and-forth affair with both men landing, hard shots at that, though neither came close to finishing the fight.

What had been a very lively affair was still up for grabs as round three arrived, but the wind came out of the sails — specifically Morales’ sail — when Matthews connected low with a kick in the opening minute. Morales was given a time out to recover, but took only 30 seconds of the allotted five minutes.

Back in action, Morales kicked the leg of a charging Matthews. The pair continued to trade, with Morales occasionally finding an opening to land an uppercut. Late in the round, he ducked in on a takedown attempt, which Matthews stuffed. They ended up swinging to the final bell in a hard-hitting scrap, with Michael Morales earning the nod on the scorecards. He improved to 16-0 with the win.

Official Result: Michael Morales def. Jake Matthews by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

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It didn’t disappoint, and played out, as expected, mostly on the mat.

Chase Hooper ate a nasty ground strike from Jordan Leavitt in the opening round of their lightweight fight, with Leavitt proving he was able to leave his nice guy persona at the cage door and really look to hurt the youngster. But Hooper, with solid Fight IQ for someone so young, took advantage of a scramble and flowed right into a rear-naked choke. With the body triangle in place and fully under the chin, Hooper had the submission locked up, and he knew it. Leavitt knew it as well, and had no choice but to tap!

The win is the second straight for 24-year old Chase Hooper, after picking up a unanimous decision over Nick Fiore earlier this year. After trading wins and losses through the entirety of his featherweight run in the UFC, it seems “The Dream” has found himself at 155lbs.

Official Result: Chase Hooper def. Jordan Leavitt by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:58

The post UFC Vegas 82: Chase Hooper Lands Slick Sub on Jordan Leavitt, Notches Second Straight Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

That might suggest they see a little star power in bantamweight Talbott, who certainly doesn’t lack in the personality department. Of course, it was what he could show in the cage that mattered.

He wound up showing plenty. Right away Aguirre shot in on the legs and got Talbott down pretty easily. Aguirre interlaced the legs and secured wrist control to get a better position on the mat. Talbott was working with his back against the cage but Aguirre was all over him. Aguirre was almost on the back but Talbott got back to his feet. With Aguirre still halfway on his back. Finally Aguirre ended up jumping on the back fully and got Talbott down. Tallbott was in a terrible position with Aguirre tight on his back. Back to his feet went Talbott but the round ended with Aguirre on his back.

Talbott was coming out first in round two with a right hand and a heavy kick to the body. Aguirre shot in for a takedown but was too far out and Talboot defended. Talbott was getting in his grove. Aguirre ended up pulling guard and letting Talbott on top. Talbott did good work there but wound up letting Aguirre back up. Aguirre timed a takedown entry very well and ended up getting the takedown. Like in round one, Talbott got back up but with Aguirre on his back. Aguirre was too high though and Talbott got top position. Aguirre was moving well off his back but Talbott did some damage right before the bell.

In the final round it was likely tied at one round a piece. Talbott was pressuring Aguirre with punches forcing Aguirre to shoot. Talbott defended and turned towards Aguirre getting into full mount. He unloaded with ground and pound and Aguirre gave up his back. It was the striker in Talbott that locked up the RNC and the grappler Aguirre tapped.

Official Result: Payton Talbott def. Nick Aguirre by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 0:58

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Ribas was once 4-0 in the UFC, but has traded losses and wins every fight since then to fall to 6-3. Though that is still a respectable record which has her ranked at both strawweight and flyweight, at thirty years old Ribas needs to stack a winning streak together starting now in order to get to a title fight. She could do that at either 115 or 125-lbs potentially, but in this fight she moved back down in weight after her recent loss to Maycee Barber at flyweight. On the other hand, Pinheiro sat where Ribas did in 2020, undefeated in the UFC with tons of momentum and the number nine next to her name. She had not lost since 2017 as a matter of fact, but Ribas took exception to that and walked out of the Apex with a win at the end of the night.

Both women started the fight swinging but especially Pinheiro, who landed on Ribas early and hurt her. Ribas retreated and the onslaught eventually stopped, giving her time to recover. Pinheiro still landed wild hooks every time that she let her hands go, as Amanda’s head was always on the center line. The pace slowed and Pinheiro picked her spots judiciously as she began to mix in leg kicks and avoiding the little offensive output that Ribas provided. Just past halfway through the round Ribas had a moment when she landed three good punches that stunned Luana momentarily, but Pinheiro recovered and got back to her gameplan. Her footwork and head movement was on point and Ribas could hardly land a glove on her most of the time. Ribas failed a takedown with one minute left but otherwise the same dynamic played out for the rest of the round.

The second round began with Ribas pressing forward again and Pinheiro evading, but this time Luana had far fewer moments where she dealt major damage to Ribas. Ribas added kicks to her attack and it served to deal damage when she could not reach with her hands. Pinheiro even attempted a takedown of her own with two minutes left as she began to slow down. She got in on a single leg but Ribas pushed her off and threw up a head kick that just missed as Pinheiro stood up. Amanda began to find success with her hands at last but then Pinheiro began to open up with hers again somewhat. Still, when the round ended it was certainly one that went to Amanda Ribas, who defended one last takedown right before the horn.

The final round in a presumably tied-up fight saw Pinheiro fight for momentum early, coming forward with punches more and throwing kicks of her own. The pace and volume of Ribas clearly still troubled her, but her defense allowed her to stay safe for the most part. Pinheiro failed another takedown but this time landed a knee on the break to score damage. One sequence saw Ribas land a backfist, eat a hook, and get thrown by Pinheiro. She bounced back to her feet but Pinheiro jumped on a front headlock, then try to take the back before settling in full guard. Luana pushed Ribas up against the fence but Amanda seemed more interested in striking off her back. However when she began to lock up an omoplata submission and Pinheiro was forced to withdraw, Ribas got back to her feet. There, she continued her relentless volume assault.

Pinheiro’s fatigue meant her defense had broken down completely and she ate every strike thrown at her, including a spinning wheel kick. Eventually she could not take it any longer and fell to her back, exhausted and badly hurt. The referee stopped the fight after only a few ground strikes to a semi-conscious Pinheiro.

Amanda Ribas showed at UFC Vegas 82 why she has won so many fights against good fighters, once again displaying true veteran grit and will to win. Despite being outclassed early on, she doubled down on her offense and just went forward harder until she broke her opponent. She will surely be in the running for a performance bonus at the end of the night, and can look ahead in the rankings to plan her assault on the throne now with a win back at strawweight.

Official Result: Amanda Ribas def. Luana Pinheiro by TKO (punches), Round 3, 3:53

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Orolbai was competent on the mat, but whether he could get Medic there was a question.

The fight opened up with some body kicks from Medic. He quickly was using his range very well with those kicks. Medic stuck Orolbai with a jab and a knee as Orolbai went in for a takedown. Orolbai took a few hard shots to get inside but ended up getting the takedown.

Medic got back up, but Orolbai hit a mat return twice. Orolbai was trying to inch his way to the back but the fence was in the way. Medic got to his feet again but Orolbai was a dog on a bone getting it back down. Medic wouldn’t be flustered as he kept getting back up. Back down went Medic and that time he stayed there until the bell rang.

In round two it seemed like Medic was too nervous to over-commit to anything. Orolbai quickly cut the cage off and got an easy takedown. Orolbai was using wrist control and keeping Medic grounded. He used it to make Medic work and Orolbai ended up taking the back. Quickly, Mecdic scrambled and got to his feet. But while Medic could get back to his feet, he couldn’t get the separation. Another easy takedown from Orolbai and he was halfway on the back. Orolbai had in a choke that wasn’t under the chin. With that said, the pressure was so tight on the chin that Medic had to tap.

Official Result: Myktybek Orolbai def. Uros Medic by Submission (neck crank), Round 2, 4:12

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Pearce, aka “JSP,” started the night on a five-fight win streak, one of the hottest prospects in the weight class, while Brito came in on a three-fight run. JSP is known for a pressure and cardio-heavy wrestling game while Brito is known as a heavy-handed Brazilian who can grapple as a backup option. Many questions abounded. Would Brito’s cardio fail over fifteen minutes vs Pearce? Could Pearce stand with Brito? Would Brito be able to stay off his back?

JSP shot a takedown almost immediately but Brito defended with a guillotine choke and got an advantageous clinch position. Brito then surprised with a double leg takedown of his own, which he landed by lifting and slamming Pearce onto his back. JSP gave up his back to get up and Brito went for the back take. However, he fell off over the top and Pearce established side control. Brito regained full-guard. Pearce got high and attempted a front choke but Brito wrestled up and stood up halfway through the round.

As they got to striking Brito threw bombs but could not land anything. Pearce timed a takedown well but Brito’s takedown defense held up. Jonathan managed to maintain an outside position which let him control Joanderson in the clinch, but when he tried to pull Brito down, the Brazilian got on top. Brito had to avoid an armbar and the second he escaped that Pearce wrestled up and ended the round back on the feet.

Pearce landed an easy takedown to start the second round, perhaps a sign of Brito slowing down. Brito could not get him off as JSP controlled him from full guard. Brito began to try to punch off his back, at which point Pearce complained to the ref about strikes to the back of the head. Joanderson made a scoffing noise, causing Pearce to mock him, shouting, “Get up and do something, boy!”

Brito did begin to try to get up by first getting to a knee then standing back up fully. They grappled in the clinch for a moment before Brito threw his arms around JSP’s head and locked up a ninja choke, fast as lightning. Pearce dropped to his back and tapped a split second later.

The submission finish came out of almost nowhere in a round where Brito was being dominated. Jonathan Pearce was well ahead in the fight at the time of the finish but that is the offensive potency of Joanderson Brito. That is the reason Brito has won four UFC fights in a row by finish. Perhaps the Brazilian fighter can expect a top-fifteen opponent in his next fight now.

Through a translator, Brito expressed his dissatisfaction with not getting a bonus for some past finishes and demanded a bonus for this performance with his post-fight interview.

Official Result: Joanderson Brito def. Jonathan Pearce by Submission (Ninja Choke) Round 2, 3:54

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Instead, he had to content with a tall, long Johnson, who fired a head kick early and used his length well. When Johnson landed an early takedown it felt like Anheliger was in for a long night. But he was able to take control and by the midway mark of round one had Johnson pressed up against the fence.

Johnson reversed, only to be reversed again himself. The duo traded knees, but eventually broke and moved back to center, where Johnson again showed off his reach advantage. Bad news for Anheliger, he’d wind up taken to the mat and wailed on at the end of the round.

Between frames, Anheliger’s corner told him that he was way better than what he’d shown so far. In the second, he looked to show that, and battled it out in the clinch some more along the fence. Mid-frame, Anheliger put his opponent on the defensive, but it didn’t last. Later in the round, Anheliger grabbed a guillotine, but he didn’t have it, and wound up with Johnson on top. Johnson transitioned to the back inside of the final minute, looking to slip an arm under the neck. The submission wasn’t there, but Jose Johnson finished the round strong.

Chad Anheliger found himself on top in guard early in the third, with Johnson firing elbows off his back. Johnson was very active on bottom, looking to draw his leg up the back, perhaps thinking triangle. That didn’t work out, and Anheliger worked to pass, at least keeping the fight from being stood up. Anheliger slowly, steadily moved into side control, but Johnson almost immediately regained guard.

With time winding down, Jose Johnson looked to be in a good spot. Still, he opted to leave the judges out of the equation. Taking Anheliger’s back, hooks in, Johnson sunk in a rear-naked choke, flattening Chad Anheliger out and forcing the tap!

Official Result: Jose Johnson def. Chad Anheliger by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 4:49

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