Bellator’s featherweight grand prix will continue, with champion Patricio Pitbull making his next title defense in November. That will come in a previously scheduled pairing with Pedro Carvalho — originally booked for Bellator 241 back in March.
When the coronavirus caused that event to fall through, the entire grand prix went into limbo. But with the promotion getting back to work in late July, it was only a matter of time before the fight was re-booked. And now, it will go down as part of Bellator 251 on November 12 in Uncasville, CT at the Mohegan Sun Arena.
MMA Fighting was first to report news of the pairing. Bellator has not officially announced the date. They currently have shows for Milan, Italy and Paris, France scheduled.
Pitbull, properly Patricio Freire (30-4), is one of Bellator MMA’s biggest home grown success stories. A multi-time champion, he currently holds both featherweight and lightweight gold in the organization. Pitbull holds notable wins over Wilson Reis, Diego Nunes, Pat Curran, Juan Archuleta, Daniel Straus, Emmanuel Sanchez, and Michael Chandler — who just recently signed on with the UFC, and will serve as the back-up fighter to Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Justin Gaethje.
Carvalho (11-3) was something of a dark horse entering the featherweight grand prix. But the Portuguese fighter defeated Sam Sicilia in the opening round. Carvalho is the winner of six straight.
