Bellator MMA returned to the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut on Saturday, with Bellator 274 offering a historic first.
After years of taking flak for offering up three-round main events outside of title fights, the promotion had finally pulled the trigger. That meant that, if necessary, headliners Neiman Gracie and Logan Storley had a full twenty-five minutes to handle their business.
The main event was notable for other reasons, of course. Ranked #4 and #5 in the welterweight division respectively, Gracie and Storley had a chance to enter the title conversation with a statement win. While there was still a key bout between Douglas Lima and Jason Jackson in the mix, the right performance could leave the Gracie-Storley winner at the head of the pack.
Also in action at Bellator 274, former welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov, looking for his second straight win in the promotion and third overall. After having a couple of fights/opponents fall through, he was paired up with UFC alum Chance Rencountre. Another UFC veteran, Justine Kish, was also on the card, making her promotional debut against DeAnna Bennett in a women’s flyweight bout.
After four years away and a struggle with addiction, meanwhile, Brennan Ward also returned to the cage on Saturday. Now 33, Ward was looking to go on a run, starting with Brandon Bell.
Bellator 274 goes down Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT. The preliminary card gets underway at 6PM ET, and can be viewed above. The main card, kicking off at 9PM ET, will be live on Showtime in the U.S. Viewers outside the Bellator broadcast footprint can watch the action in the embed below.
Bellator 274: Gracie vs. Storley Results
Main Card
Logan Storley def. Neiman Gracie by unanimous decision (48-47, 50-45, 49-46)
Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre by TKO (spinning heel kick and strikes), Round 1, 0:38
Adam Piccolotti def. Georgi Karakhanyan by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Brennan Ward def. Brandon Bell by TKO, Round 2, 0:32
Davion Franklin def. Said Sowma by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Preliminary card
Nick Browne def. Mandel Nallo by TKO, Round 2, 2:20
Jaylon Bates def. Chris Disonell by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 3:39
Bobby King def. Aviv Gozali by TKO (doctor stoppage), Round 1, 5:00
DeAnna Bennett def. Justine Kish by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Jordan Newman def. Cody Herbert by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Justin Montalvo def. Corey Samuels by TKO, Round 1, 2:43
Isaiah Hokit def. Theodore Macuka by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:59
Jonathan Dilorenzo def. Orlando Mendoza by submission (D’arce choke), Round 1, 1:07
