That’s no small feat in MMA. Fighters like Glover Teixeira and Juan Archuleta have gone on stellar win streaks over the years, but few have made it to 20 straight wins. Fewer still without taking one or two early losses. When it comes to undefeated streaks, Khabib Nurmagomedov sits at 29-0. A.J. McKee has won his first sixteen fights without a loss or draw. It’s a rare feat, really, that Amosov has achieved.

That said, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press following Bellator 252, Amosov admitted that his performance wasn’t his favorite. “I always have to improve my skills. No matter what, I have to improve, improve, improve,” the Ukrainian welterweight stated.

That might have something to do with the nature of the victory. Storley never gave up on his takedowns. He had his share of success, but never seemed able to keep Amosov down. The end result, a split decision.

“Of course, I was very nervous before the decision, because this could have changed my history a lot, and changed the direction,” observed Amosov. “Everything is good now, thank God. Now I’m going to ask for a big fight.”

A big fight, and potentially a title fight. As Amosov also pointed out, “I have six fights in Bellator. I win six fights. Nine months, three fights. [At] my weight, only I have three fights in nine months.” He’s not necessarily wrong. And among those six wins are names like Caveman Rickels, Erick Silva, and Ed Ruth.

“I’m ready. Give me rest, and I’m ready [for my] next fight,” said Amosov. But first up, a little R&R. “Now I want to eat pizza, and after I’ll decide [when to fight next].” And see his family, Amosov added. “I want to eat pizza, and see my family.”

Watch the full Bellator 252 post-fight press scrum with Yaroslav Amosov above.

The post Bellator 252: Yaroslav Amosov Looking for a Big Fight, or Title Fight, Next appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I want to say better [than planned],” the featherweight grand prix quarterfinal winner said following a five-round decision win over Daniel Weichel. The victory sets Sanchez (20-4) up for a semifinal title fight against Patricio Pitbull.

While it “would have been better if I got the finish, in the first like I said I would. Or even in the second when I dropped him with that body shot,” added Sanchez, “all that matters is we got the victory. I’m healthy, he’s healthy, he’ll have a safe flight home, he’ll fight again, and I know people will be excited to see him fight again after this. Likewise myself in this grand prix. So I’m looking forward to going out. Two down, two to go.”

Two to go to win the tournament, and the million dollar prize at the end. Only one to go to potentially claim featherweight gold, as Patricio Pitbull’s title will be on the line in the pair’s semifinal fight. Asked later if avenging his 2016 loss to Daniel Weichel felt better than getting one step close the million dollars, Sanchez admitted it did.

“Honestly getting that win back [was better]. He taught me a very valuable lesson back in 2016,” said Sanchez. “The 25-year old me thought that was the best me. The arrow’s got to be pulled back before it can be shot forward. So I’m very glad that I got that victory back. I’m glad that I even lost that fight back then, because [otherwise] it wouldn’t have put me into this position that I’m in now, and made me into the fighter that I am now.”

While Sanchez wanted to be “one and done in the Mohegan Sun,” the fighter known as “El Matador” does see an upside to having gone the distance at Bellator 252. “A little bit. Now that’s twice now I know I can five rounds. As obviously as aforementioned, it looked like I can go 10, 20, and just to the death. But that’s the type of person and fighter I strive to be,” he explained. “Not like every fight’s got to be like a Rocky movie and to the death, but that’s what the fans want to see. That’s what the crowd wants to see, everybody. They want to see finishes, stoppages, and that’s what I want as well too, to be known for.”

Now, it’s on to Patricio Pitbull, in what very well could be Sancehz’s Rocky moment. The pair met once before, in 2018. Emmanuel Sanchez lost that shot at gold. Sanchez himself has grown as a fighter — but he sees Pitbull as having grown just as much. “I believe so. I think he’s got the same hunger, maybe. it’s harder, when you’re on top, being the most dominant champion. And you’re the champ-champ, too,” he noted. But when it comes right down to it, “I want it more than him, and I want that win back.”

Watch the full Bellator 252 post-fight press scrum with Emmanuel Sanchez above.

The post Bellator 252: Emmanuel Sanchez “Wants it More” Than Patricio Pitbull appeared first on Cageside Press.

Pico (7-3) apologized to his opponent after the incident, saying it was out of character. But there was a reason the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter was so fired up.

“Just in the beginning of fight week, just walking around the lobby [he was] just very cocky,” Pico told media outlets including Cageside Press following the bout. “Just mad dogging me and my coaches by himself, and just like walking by my coach shaking his head like, ‘it’s on.'”

Pico clearly didn’t take kindly to those pre-fight antics. “For me I just stay in my lane, I’m professional, I just do what I have to do,” he stated. “So it kind of just rubbed me the wrong way. And before the fight I was honestly thinking, I just want to f*cking knock his ass out, and I’m happy I did.”

After the fight, Pico could be overheard yelling to De Jesus’ corner, thanking them for calling out 1-4, a jab/uppercut combo. “All through training camp— 1-4 means a jab, left uppercut so coach Gibson said when we were watching tape ‘if you hear the corner yell out the combination 1-4 just throw right hook and he’s gonna be knocked out.'” That prediction proved accurate. “And that’s what I did tonight,” continued Pico. “So that’s why that’s why it feels so good, because all through training camp, it’s ‘1-4,’ right Hook, he’s gonna be knocked out. And to do actually do it is a good feeling.”

Later, Pico told Cageside Press that he’d never had such an emotional reaction to an opponent before, going all the way back to his boxing and wrestling days.

“No, no, actually, it was like the first time. I never really encountered that in my in my career, even in wrestling and fighting,” admitted Pico. “So yeah, I was like, kind of thrown off a little bit when I’m just like, chillin’ and then all of a sudden, somebody, kind of just comes up to you, like mad dogging you, it’s kind of weird.”

Coach Greg Jackson, however, “told me that it’s a sign of weakness. Just be like GSP, don’t respond to anything. And go in there and be calm and do what you do.”

Much like Georges St. Pierre always did, Pico kept his cool. At least until after the fight. Now, it’s home for the Holidays, meaning it will probably be 2021 before we see Aaron Pico again.

Watch the full Bellator 252 post-fight press scrum with Aaron Pico above.

The post Bellator 252: Aaron Pico Reveals How John De Jesus Got Under His Skin appeared first on Cageside Press.

That main event bout had Patricio Pitbull taking little time to knock out challenger Pedro Carvalho, an SBG Ireland fighter and teammate of Conor McGregor. But Pitbull was not necessarily the story of the night. Nor was the five-round showcase put on by Emmanuel Sanchez, who got his revenge against Daniel Weichel, and will now move on to the semifinals for a title shot against Pitbull.

No, the show-stopper at Bellator 252 came in the final fight of the preliminary card, with top prospect Aaron Pico knocking out John De Jesus in extremely violent fashion.

Highlights from the event as well as full results can be found below.

Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Results

Main Card:

Patricio Freire def. Pedro Carvalho by KO (punch), Round 1, 2:10
Yaroslav Amosov def. Logan Storley by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Emmanuel Sanchez def. Daniel Weichel by unanimous decision (48-46, 49-46, 49-45)

Preliminary Card:

Aaron Pico def. John de Jesus by KO (punch), Round 2, 4:12
Keri Taylor Melendez def. Emilee King by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:02
Manny Muro def. Devin Powell by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo def. Schyler Sootho by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lucas Brennan def. Andrew Salas by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Roman Faraldo def. Pat Casey by TKO (punches), Round 2, 2:30
Trevor Gudde def. Khonry Gracie by TKO (knee), Round 3, 3:28

The post Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Photo Highlights appeared first on Cageside Press.

Of course, when that comes is a bit up in the air. Bellator CEO Scott Coker has previously suggested the tournament might not wrap up until sometime next Spring. If Pitbull (Patricio Freire) gets his way, however, the end will come sooner.

“I think it’s better for everyone to finish this grand prix. It’s a long time waiting for that,” he told Cageside Press following his most recent title defense on Thursday. Uninjured, Pitbull is hoping to fight again soon. That may rest, however, on scheduling. And on Sanchez, who went the distance against Daniel Weichel in a five-round grand prix quarterfinal fight.

Of course, the delay in the tournament, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic, has completely stalled the Bellator lightweight division. Pitbull won the 155lb belt in May 2019 by knocking out Michael Chandler. Over a year later, he has yet to defend it.

Asked about his plans for his other title, the double-champ replied “I really don’t know now. I need to talk with my boss.” That, of course, would be Coker.

If the featherweight grand prix does drag on to Spring, and Pitbull makes it to the finale, it could very well be two years or more before Bellator’s 155lb belt is defended. No small travesty, in a division that was once the promotion’s premiere weight class. One where Patricio’s own brother, Patricky, competes.

These days, that standout division seems to be featherweight. Where Pitbull claims to be the best. In or out of the promotion. “I’m not the best featherweight in Bellator. I’m the best featherweight in the world,” he boasted following win #31. “No other featherweight has my hands. I’m complete.”

“Now I have 11 knockouts and 11 submissions. There’s no other featherweight in the world that’s as complete as I am,” Pitbull added.

He’s certainly been making his case.

Watch the full Bellator 252 post-fight press scrum with Patricio Pitbull above.

The post Bellator 252: When It Comes to Patricio Pitbull’s Plan for Lightweight Title, “I Need to Talk to My Boss” appeared first on Cageside Press.

With a spot in the semifinals awaiting, it was a big night for both men. Carvalho was a motivated challenger. Pitbull, the winningest fighter in Bellator history. What played out was yet another dominant Patricio Freire performance. A statement, really.

Early in the opening round, both men were active. But Pitbull connected with a right hand that stunned Carvalho, and the champ leapt into a guillotine. Carvalho survived, regrouped, and went back on the attack. The end result, however, was Pedro Carvalho being clipped again. Moments later, it was more than just being clipped. A left, then yet another right hand, sent the challenger crashing back to the mat. Follow-up strikes were not necessary, and Pitbull knew it. In essence, it was a walk-off KO, the Brazilian stepping away as the ref came in to make things official.

https://twitter.com/ImShannonTho/status/1327065458906947585

With Emmanuel Sanchez winning a unanimous decision earlier in the night against Daniel Weichel, the next featherweight title fight is already set. That will take place in one of two featherweight grand prix semifinals, at a date yet to be announced.

Official Result: Patricio Freire def. Pedro Carvalho by knockout, Round 1, 2:10

The post Bellator 252 Results: Patricio Pitbull Stops Pedro Carvalho Early appeared first on Cageside Press.

Storley entered the night an impressive 11-0. Amosov meanwhile was an unthinkable 24-0.

It was Storley at center early in the opening round, Yaroslav Amosov circling on the outside. When Storley shot for a takedown attempt, Amosov was able to shake it off. A couple more attempts from Logan Storley came up short, and Amosov seemed to gain a bit of confidence as the round went on. He worked his jab, but Storley remained undeterred and would go back to his wrestling roots again.

Amosov opened the second frame with a two-punch combo. Storley was still at center, looking to cut Amosov off. Early on, he landed a takedown, took the back, but had to fight through some scrambles. Storley proved up to the task, maintaining back control even as Amosov regained his feet. The problem for Storley is that Amosov managed to break free, and soon connected with a punch back at center. But Storley, undeterred, went back to another takedown, only to nearly end up in a D’arce choke. Storley survived, and Amosov was looking a little tired. He was soon backpedaling, and even shot for a takedown of his own. He’d manage to get back in control later in the round, taking the back.

Amosov continued to find success in the third. He was throwing more. Storley’s takedowns were nullified, as they had been so often in the fight. Far too often, they ended in an opportunity for Amosov, be it the D’arce, or landing strikes. Midway through the round, Storley finally managed to get the fight down and take the back, however. Storley, hooks in, worked for the rear-naked choke. But Amosov managed to survive. He still had Storley on his back though. Storley locked the choke in again, but this time was over the jaw. Amosov managed to turn out of it, and eventually escaped back to his feet. That was a lot of control time for Logan Storley — but in the end it wasn’t enough. At least not for two judges, with Amosov winning a split decision.

25-0, no small feat. Amosov will likely get a step up in competition next. Storley, meanwhile, still has a bright future ahead.

Official Result: Yaroslav Amosov def. Logan Storley by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

The post Bellator 252 Results: Yaroslav Amosov Moves to 25-0 With Split Decision Over Logan Storley appeared first on Cageside Press.

While Sanchez came out hot with a flying knee to open the fight, Weichel quickly took things down. Interestingly enough, however, he didn’t stay there, allowing Sanchez to move back to his feet. As the round progressed, Sanchez began putting his strikes together, finding a home for his right hand on at least three occasions. Weichel was far from shut out, as he landed more than once as well — but it was Sanchez with the edge in significant strikes. It was his punches having greater effect.

Sanchez was on the attack again in round two, finding a home for the right hand in the opening minute. When he landed it a second time, he had Weichel retreating. The German wound up trapped along the fence, covering up, before long falling to his back after a hook to the liver. Sanchez moved in for the kill, with Weichel somehow surviving. Sanchez stayed tight to his opponent, but every second was recovery time for Daniel Weichel, who made it back to his feet. Sanchez continued to rip to the body at his corner’s urging; he’d briefly gain a clinch and mix in some knees. Putting on a highly entertaining round, Sanchez landed a head kick off a combo, and later took Weichel’s feet out from under him with a leg kick.

Emmanuel Sanchez has Daniel Weichel in trouble early on in round 2️⃣.#Bellator252 is LIVE now on @CBSSportsNet in the 🇺🇸 and with @SkySports in the 🇬🇧.#Bellator #MMA #FeatherweightWGP pic.twitter.com/T9ckI7TUiQ

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 13, 2020

A battered Daniel Weichel was going to want to forget that round the moment it was over. The only positive for the German was that he had survived. And while it was good news that he’d made it to round three, Weichel was down two rounds more than likely, with one a possible 10-8. The leg kicks had begun to pile up, with Weichel’s movement hampered early in round three. Sanchez was fresh enough to fire off another head kick, one that just grazed his opponent. If Weichel was going to have any chance of advancing in the grand prix, he was going to need to gut it out, and find a way to win the final two rounds at the least. That’s if he didn’t need a finish.

The fourth had Weichel briefly threaten to take the back. He’d return to that position later in the frame. But Sanchez was able to fight him off. And he continued to work the body, pick his shots, and lead the dance more often than not. The fifth round had Weichel engage in a clinch early, closing the distance. Sanchez turned the tables, moved back to range, and looked ready to go the distance. He was, after all, firmly in the driver’s seat. Sanchez landed a takedown early in the frame, eating a glancing upkick before wisely getting on top and eating up some of the clock. While they would finish on the feet, where the fight went didn’t matter. Emmanuel Sanchez pretty much dominated from pillar to post.

Official Result: Emmanuel Sanchez def. Daniel Weichel by unanimous decision (48-46, 49-46, 49-45) 

The post Bellator 252 Results: Emmanuel Sanchez Dominates Daniel Weichel in Rematch, Moves on in Grand Prix appeared first on Cageside Press.

With the grand prix returning, a three-fight main card sat atop Bellator 252. Which meant that the evening’s preliminary action was just a little bit deeper. Among the names to appear, top prospect Aaron Pico was up against John De Jesus. Despite some of Pico’s early stumbles,he was working toward a three-fight win streak, with De Jesus a good test of where the Jackson-Wink MMA fighter was at.

Also on the preliminary card Thursday was former UFC lightweight Devin Powell. In his second trip to the Bellator cage, Powell was looking to make a statement, and earner a multi-fight contract.

Khonry Gracie, son of the legendary Royce Gracie, also returned to action Thursday.

The Bellator 252 preliminary card kicks off at 3:45PM ET. The live stream can be viewed above; results are below.

Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Preliminary Card Results:

Aaron Pico def. John de Jesus by knockout, Round 2, 4:12
Keri Taylor-Melendez def. Emilee King by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:02
Manny Muro def. Devin Powell by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo def. Schyler Sootho by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Lucas Brennan def. Andrew Salas by unanimous decision (30–27, 30–26, 30–26)
Roman Faraldo def. Pat Casey by knockout, Round 2, 2:30
Trevor Gudde def. Khonry Gracie by TKO, Round 3, 3:28

The post Bellator 252: Pitbull vs. Carvalho Preliminary Card Live Stream and Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

De Jesus is a fighter who Pico called a “very tough opponent” during the Bellator 252 media day this week. “One thing’s for sure, he’s very confident. Very good striker. I’ve seen him around here in the hotel lobby, he’s not lacking confidence. I know he’s going to come with everything he’s got, and it’s going to be a good test for me. But I feel I’m well-prepared.”

Pico has made the move to Albuquerque, New Mexico full time to train at Jackson-Wink. He recently purchased his first home, with his girlfriend. While Pico says they love the city, there has been an adjustment. “I can’t see my family all that much. To be honest with you, I don’t see my mom and dad and my brother, my grandparents, all too too much. Just because I’m training in New Mexico. So after this fight it’s going to be good to go down for Christmas and see them.”

It’s all part of Pico’s development as a fighter, however. The highly touted amateur wrestler and boxer, a Junior Golden Gloves champion, has had the spotlight on him since day one. He started his career in Bellator. Lost his debut, then went on a four-fight win streak. But stumbles against Henry Corrales and Adam Borics took some of the shine off. Since then, however, Pico has been building his way back up, earning two stoppage victories.

“I’ve taken some devastating losses,” Pico admitted. But in the wake of those losses, he believes he has shown that “I have a big heart. I have a strong team that will pick me up, I can pick myself up. Through the losses, I’ve bounced back with two finishes, and that’s really good for me.”

The setbacks also helped in another way, spurring him to prepare even more thoroughly. “I don’t take winning for granted. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done because I’ve lost, and I know what it feels like. I put in so much work going into fights because I know what it feels like to lose. And I never, never take winning for granted,” said Pico, who added that “overall, I can say one thing: I’m strong mentally.”

Watch the full Bellator 252 virtual media day press scrum with Aaron Pico above. The event takes place this Thursday, November 12 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT, with the main card airing live on CBS Sports Network.

The post Devastating Losses Have Helped Bellator 252’s Aaron Pico to Not Take Winning for Granted appeared first on Cageside Press.