Bellator 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on April 15, 2022, at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, United States.[1][2]
| Bellator 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 The poster for Bellator 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 | ||||
| Promotion | Bellator MMA | |||
| Date | April 15, 2022 | |||
| Venue | SAP Center | |||
| City | San Jose, California, United States | |||
| Event chronology | ||||
| ||||
Background
editThe event was headlined by a rematch between Bellator Featherweight Champion A. J. McKee and Patrício Pitbull. The duo previously fought in the Bellator 263 main event, where McKee took Pitbull's title in the Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix final via a first-round guillotine choke submission.[3][4][5]
The co-main event featured the final of the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament as Bellator Light Heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov and The Ultimate Fighter: Team Edgar vs. Team Penn light heavyweight winner Corey Anderson for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship as well as the $1 million prize. Nemkov, on the way to the final, defeated Phil Davis via a unanimous decision and secured a fourth-round kimura stoppage against Julius Anglickas. On the other side of the bracket, Anderson defeated both Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov and Ryan Bader by TKO.[6]
A heavyweight bout between former interim Bellator Heavyweight World Championship challenger Timothy Johnson and Tyrell Fortune was scheduled for the event.[7] However, on March 1, 2022, it was announced by Bellator that Johnson was expected to face Linton Vassell and Fortune was set to meet Steve Mowry in the event.[8] In turn, Mowry pulled out of the bout in late March and was replaced by Rakim Cleveland.[9]
A middleweight bout between Pat Downey and Daniel Compton was scheduled for this event.[10] However, after developing Red skin syndrome, Downey was forced to pull out of the bout.[11]
A light heavyweight bout between Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov and Tony Johnson was scheduled for the event.[12] However, due to an injury, Johnson was forced to pull out and was replaced by former Bellator Middleweight Champion Rafael Carvalho.[13]
A featherweight bout between Aaron Pico and Jeremy Kennedy was expected to take place at the event.[14] However, Kennedy withdrew 8 days before the event and Adli Edwards replaced him.[15][16]
Results
edit| Main Card (Showtime) | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight class | Method | Round | Time | Notes | |||
| Featherweight | Patrício Pitbull | def. | A. J. McKee (c) | Decision (unanimous) (49–46, 48–47, 48–47) | 5 | 5:00 | [a] |
| Light Heavyweight | Vadim Nemkov (c) | vs. | Corey Anderson | No Contest (accidental clash of heads) | 3 | 4:55 | [b] |
| Catchweight (150 lb) | Aaron Pico | def. | Adli Edwards | TKO (punches) | 3 | 0:55 | |
| Heavyweight | Linton Vassell | def. | Timothy Johnson | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:21 | |
| Preliminary card (Youtube/Pluto TV) | |||||||
| Welterweight | Tyson Miller | def. | Rhalan Gracie | TKO (doctor stoppage) | 1 | 5:00 | |
| Heavyweight | Tyrell Fortune | def. | Rakim Cleveland | TKO (punches and knee) | 1 | 1:38 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov | def. | Rafael Carvalho | TKO (elbows and punches) | 2 | 4:04 | |
| Bantamweight | Bobby Seronio III | def. | Calob Ramirez | KO (punch) | 2 | 2:14 | |
| Featherweight | Gaston Bolanos | def. | Daniel Carey | TKO (punches) | 1 | 4:59 | |
| Welterweight | Kyle Crutchmer | def. | Michael Lombardo | Decision (unanimous) (29-28, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Flyweight | Edwin De Los Santos | def. | Alberto Mendez | Decision (unanimous) (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) | 3 | 5:00 | |
| Featherweight | Rogelio Luna | def. | Socrates Hernandez | TKO (punches) | 3 | 4:48 | |
| Featherweight | Laird Anderson | def. | JT Donaldson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:44 | |
| Light Heavyweight | Theo Haig | def. | Alan Benson | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 1 | 2:08 | |
- ^ For the Bellator Featherweight World Championship.
- ^ Bellator Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix Tournament Final bout for the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship and $1 million dollar prize. Accidental clash of heads opened a cut above Nemkov's eye which rendered him unable to continue.
Aftermath
editAfter the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix Final ended in a no contest and no winner was declared, Bellator frontman Scott Coker announced that the final between Nemkov and Anderson will be rebooked later in 2022.[18]
Reported payout
editThe following is the reported payout to the fighters as reported to the California State Athletic Commission. It is important to note the amounts do not include sponsor money, discretionary bonuses, viewership points or additional earnings.[19]
- Patrício Freire: $250,000 def. A.J. McKee: $250,000
- Vadim Nemkov: $80,000 vs. Corey Anderson: $250,000
- Aaron Pico: $75,000 def. Adli Edwards: $50,000
- Linton Vassell: $138,000 (includes $69,000 win bonus) def. Timothy Johnson: $75,000
- Tyrell Fortune: $75,000 def. Rakim Cleveland: $30,000
- Tyson Miller: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Rhalen Gracie: $5,000
- Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov: $70,000 (includes $35,000 win bonus) def. Rafael Carvalho: $30,000
- Gaston Bolanos: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus) def. Daniel Carey: $12,000
- Bobby Seronio III: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Calob Ramirez: $2,000
- Kyle Crutchmer: $50,000 (includes $25,000 win bonus) def. Michael Lombardo: $20,000
- Edwin De Los Santos: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Alberto Mendez: $2,000
- Rogelio Luna: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Socrates Hernandez: $2,000
- Laird Anderson: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. JT Donaldson: $2,000
- Theo Haig: $4,000 (includes $2,000 win bonus) def. Alan Benson: $2,000
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "AJ McKee to rematch Pitbull in first title defense at Bellator 277". Orange County Register. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ Cruz, Guilherme (2022-02-16). "A.J. McKee vs. Patricio Pitbull 2 set to headline Bellator 277 on April 15". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ "Bellator 277 fight card: AJ McKee vs. Patricio Pitbull 2, Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson set for April". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ "Bellator 277 fight card: AJ McKee vs. Patricio Pitbull 2, Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson set for April". The New Liahona Sports. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ "A.J. McKee vs. Patricio Freire title rematch headlines Bellator 277 on April 15". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ "Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson light heavyweight grand prix final co-headlines Bellator 277". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-16. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
- ^ FightBookMMA (2022-02-16). "BELLATOR MMA 277: McKee vs. Pitbull 2 Fight Card and Start Times | FightBook MMA". Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ "Bellator shuffles things up, splits Tyrell Fortune vs. Tim Johnson rematch into two contender fights". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-01. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ "Steve Mowry out of Bellator 277; Tyrell Fortune now meets Rakim Cleveland". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-23. Retrieved 2022-03-23.
- ^ "Former NCAA Division I All-American Pat Downey set for MMA debut at Bellator 277". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-02. Retrieved 2022-03-02.
- ^ "Pat Downey out of Bellator 277 after perceived 'flesh eating disease' finally diagnosed as red skin syndrome". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-08. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin. "Exclusive: Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov Added to Bellator 277 Card". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
- ^ "Rafael Carvalho aceita luta com uma semana de antecedência no Bellator 277". www.uol.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 2022-04-07.
- ^ "Aaron Pico set to return at Bellator 277 vs. ex-UFC fighter Jeremy Kennedy". MMA Junkie. 2022-02-17. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
- ^ "With Jeremy Kennedy out, Aaron Pico needs new opponent for Bellator 277". MMA Junkie. 2022-04-07. Retrieved 2022-04-07.
- ^ "With Jeremy Kennedy out, Adli Edwards steps in to face Aaron Pico at Bellator 277". MMA Junkie. 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2022-04-08.
- ^ "Bellator MMA | McKee vs. Pitbull 2". www.bellator.com. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
- ^ Cageside Press (April 16, 2022). Scott Coker Reacts to No Contest in Grand Prix Final, Pitbull Reclaiming Title | Bellator 277 – via YouTube.
- ^ Nolan King (April 15, 2022). "Bellator 277 salaries: Corey Anderson, main eventers lead the pack of guaranteed purses". MMAjunkie.com.