The stars of both Bellator 277, going down this Friday, and Bellator 279, set to transpire on April 23, faced off in Los Angeles on Monday.
The big news: Bellator could have another champ-champ on their hands in the near future. That’s after A.J. McKee signaled his intention to pursue a fight with lightweight champ Patricky Pitbull, once he gets done with brother Patricio this Friday at Bellator 277.
“I walked the dog already, so why not twice?” featherweight champion McKee exclaimed at Monday’s Bellator 277/279 press conference in Los Angeles. “I know they enjoy a walk.”
McKee vs. Pitbull 2 tops a stacked card on Friday in San Jose, which will also see the conclusion of the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix. That finishes up in the co-main event, with Vadim Nemkov putting his belt on the line against wrestling powerhouse Corey Anderson.
It’s more than just Nemkov’s 205 pound title that hangs in the balance. A million dollars in prize money also awaits the winner.
The following week, Bellator 279 goes down, the second of back-to-back shows in Honolulu, Hawaii. Topping the bill is Cris Cyborg, running it back against Australian featherweight Arlene Blencowe.
And just as the light heavyweight grand prix concludes a week earlier, another one kicks off: Bellator 279 will feature two quarterfinal fights in the bantamweight grand prix. In one, ex-champ Juan Archuleta goes up against Raufeon Stots for interim gold, with champ Sergio Pettis out of the tournament.
Check out all the highlights from Monday’s press conference, including face-offs between all the key players, below.
