BELLATOR CHAMPIONS SERIES: BELFAST FIGHT NIGHT CENTRAL

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – A new era for Bellator MMA begins tonight, with the inaugural Bellator Champions Series card, presented by The Professional Fighters League (PFL).

Emanating live from The SSE Arena in Belfast, tonight’s Bellator Champions Series card features two must-see World Championship bouts, as well as some of the best fighters in the world competing on the Bellator global stage.

In tonight’s Main Event, Corey “Overtime” Anderson of the United States takes on Ireland’s own Karl Moore in a battle for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship.

An elite-level grappler with devastating knockout power, Anderson got his big break when he joined – and won – Season 19 of The Ultimate Fighter. From there, “Overtime” built a solid career in the UFC, picking up notable victories over would-be champions such as Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira. In 2020, Anderson made his Bellator debut by stopping the legendary Melvin Manhoef by TKO in the second round, He went on to reach the finals of the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix and fell short of capturing gold, losing to former champion Vadim Nemkov by decision. Tonight, Anderson gets another shot at the Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship.

Belfast native Moore heads into tonight’s main event matchup riding an impressive four-fight winning streak and has yet to taste defeat under the Bellator banner. The former Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion holds wins over the likes of Alex Polizzi, Maciej Różański, and Karl Albrektsson. Tonight, in front of a partisan hometown crowd, Moore looks to earn the biggest win of his career and bring home the World Championship belt.

In the co-main event Brazil’s Patricio Pitbull puts his PFL Featherweight Championship on the line against Canada’s Jeremy Kennedy.

Arguably the biggest name on the Bellator roster, Pitbull is one of the most decorated fighters in the brand with four title-reigns and being just one of three fighters to capture Bellator World Championships in two weight divisions. Last year, Pitbull attempted to make history by adding a world title in a third weight division, but ultimately came up short against Sergio Pettis. Tonight, he returns to Featherweight, where he’s currently on his third title reign, and will look to continue his era of dominance at 145-pounds.

A top contender in the 135-pound division with a wealth of experience under his belt, Kennedy has had stints with Brave, the UFC, and even the PFL. Now competing under the Bellator brand, Kennedy has won four of his last five, including three-straight against the likes of Emmanuel Sanchez, Aaron Pico, and Pedro Carvalho. Tonight, JBC looks to dethrone the top Featherweight in Bellator and bring home World Championship gold.

Tonight’s card also features a Bellator Middleweight No. 1 Contender bout between England’s Fabian Edwards and Aaron Jeffrey of Canada. Plus, Ireland’s James Gallagher meets 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
*Vikas Singh Ruhil missed weight and the bout will now move forward at a Catchweight of 147.0 lbs

Heavyweight Bout
Abraham Bably and Isaiah Pinson

Amateur 130.0 lbs Catchweight
Nate Kelly vs. Jordan Elliott