P. Davis and L. Machida faced each other in September 2020 Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
After almost two years, Bellator is once again holding two events on consecutive days, to the delight of mixed martial arts fans. With shows scheduled for next Friday (22) and Saturday (23), the organization chaired by Scott Coker will place its two female champions, Juliana Velasquez and Chris Cyborg, to defend their belts. As a warm-up for the long-awaited double, the SUPER FIGHTS remembers the last time the company organized two cards on consecutive dates.
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Next Friday (22) and Saturday (23), Bellator will organize its 278th and 279th editions, which will be held at the Blaisdell Arena, in Honolulu, Hawaii (USA). In the main fight of the first event, flyweight champion (up to 56,7kg) Juliana Velasquez faces ex-UFC veteran Liz Carmouche. Leading the second card, the legend Chris Cyborg defends her featherweight throne (up to 65,7kg) against Australian Arlene Blencowe. As a 'supporting actor' in both shows, the bantamweight GP (up to 61,2kg) will begin, with the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Remember Bellator's last double
On September 11, 2020, Phil Davis e Lyoto Machida led Bellator 245, which took place at the Mohegan Sun Arena, in Uncasville, Connecticut (USA). The two athletes had already faced each other seven years earlier, still in the UFC and the rematch in the new organization would entitle the winner to a fight for the light heavyweight belt (up to 93kg). Thus, as in the first duel, the North American won on points, this time, in a split decision. The Brazilians Raphael Carvalho, former middleweight champion (under 83,9kg), and Vinícius Zani were defeated on the card by Alex Polizzi and Keith Lee, respectively.
after winning Lyoto Machida, Phil Davis had his dream opportunity to challenge the champion Vadim nemkov, for the light heavyweight title, in April 2021. The North American was unable to impose his game against the pupil of Fedor Emelianenko and was defeated in a unanimous decision by the judges.
Bellator 246 – Archuleta x Mix
J Archuleta celebrates winning the bantamweight title. Photo: Reproduction / Twitter
The day after Davis' triumph over Machida, the then vacant bantamweight belt (up to 61,2 kg) was put on the line and fought for by Juan Archuleta and Patchy mix. In the main fight of Bellator 246, Archuleta was better during the 25 minutes of an intense 'war' and emerged victorious, and champion, in the judges' unanimous decision. In the co-main fight, the Brazilian Neiman Gracie he submitted veteran John Fitch in the second round and got closer to the elite of the welterweight division (under 77,1kg).
On the main card of the event, former UFC bantamweight challenger Liz Carmouche made her debut in the organization, submitting her compatriot DeAnna Bennett in the third round, with a guillotine choke. Almost two years after her debut, the American will participate in another double and will challenge flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez.
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