The Bellator Champions Series returned to action on Saturday, September 14 care of Bellator London, featuring Leah McCourt and Sara Collins in a women’s featherweight title eliminator.
If that pairing feels like an odd choice for a main event of a card this size, it’s key to note that it wasn’t truly a choice. Johnny Eblen vs. Fabian Edwards for Eblen’s middleweight title had been planned, but often as is the case in fighting, those plans took a detour, with the bout pushed back.
Instead, it’s McCourt vs. Collins, the night’s co-main event originally, topping the bill at the OVO Arena at Wembley, with the specter of Cris Cyborg looming in the distance. The Bellator women’s featherweight champ is set to face her PFL counterpart, Larissa Pacheco, later this year, but win or lose she will emerge still holding her title.
McCourt, coming off a win over Sara McMann, has been billed as a future title challenger for some time now, though upstart Collins, a perfect 5-0, will look to steal her spot on Saturday.
Where to Watch Bellator Champions Series 5
Bellator London (Bellator Champions Series 5) takes place on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the OVO Arena at Wembley in London, England. The card airs live on streaming service MAX in the U.S., DAZN in the U.K., and Fight Network in Canada. Full results can be found below.
Bellator London: McCourt vs. Collins Results
Main Card
Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:25
Simeon Powell def. Rafael Xavier by split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28)
Luke Trainer def. Laurynas Urbonavicius by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:15
Marc Diakiese def. Tim Wilde by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card
Archie Colgan def. Manoel Sousa by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Mike Shipman def. Eslam Abdul Baset by KO (knee and punches), Round 2, 2:32
Joseph Luciano def. Steven Hill by submission (anaconda choke), Round 2, 1:22
Ciaran Clarke def. Tuomas Grönvall by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Darragh Kelly def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
