Bellator 277 Results: Patricio Freire defeats A.J. McKee (Highlights)
Tonight, Bellator 277 featured a very interesting and action-packed double header between defending champion AJ McKee and Patricio "Pitbull" Freire. In the main event, Corey Anderson wanted to beat champion Vadim Nemkov in the light heavyweight Grand Prix final. You can check out the highlights of the Bellator 277 main event below!
In Friday's Bellator 277 main bout at the SAP Center, Freire (33-5 MMA, 21-5 BMMA) defeated A.J.McKee (28-1 MMA, 28-1 BMMA) to become the Featherweight Champion again by unanimous decision (48-46, 49-46, 48-47).
In the first round, the two fighters started a close contest with the best technique on full display. While "Putball" used his leg kicks, McKee, on the other hand, fired some head kicks - the strike that ended their first meeting.
Round 2 was more favorable for McKee as he was stronger than Challenger as his counter-timing on McKee's head kicks and body kicks was according to science. McKee remained competitive, although he struggled to find rhythm.
The biggest moments of the fight came in Round 3 when Freire tightened his grip on the fight and shook McKee, who then staggered to the goal and took the take down. Freire popped up and snatched McKee's neck for the signature guillotine square. It seems to be getting tougher and tougher with Freire's grip adjustment, but McKee has found his way.
Round 4 was the strongest ever for McKee, who outscored Freire in striking, a momentum he took in Round 5. Between rounds 4 and 5, coach Antonio McKee told his son that he thought he was on all the scorecards. In Round 5, Freire won by striking before McKee took a late takedown and ended the fight at the top.
Official ballot 277 Result: Patricio Freire Def. AJ McKee by Consensus (49-46, 48-47x2)
"I'm glad the belt is back. The king is back," Putbal said in an interview as he left the field.
McKee, who turned 27 on April 7, suffered his first loss since becoming a pro at the age of 20. As Pitbull and his team celebrated, the Long Beach resident was shocked by the result.
Who would you like to see Freire fight next following his decision victory over McKee this evening in San Jose?
Bellator 277 Fast Results
Bellator Featherweight Championship Bout: Patricio Freire def. A.J. McKee via unanimous decision (49-46×2, 48-47) to win Bellator featherweight championship
Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson ends in no contest (accidental headbutt) – R3, 4:53, Nemkov retains light heavyweight championship
Aaron Pico def. Adli Edwards via TKO (strikes) – R3, 0:55
Linton Vassell def. Tim Johnson via TKO (punches): R1, 4:21
Tyson Miller def. Khalan Gracie via TKO (doctor’s stoppage): R1, 5:00
Tyrell Fortune def. Rakim Cleveland via TKO (punches): R1, 1:38
Dovletzhan Yagshimuradov def. Rafael Carvalho via TKO (punches): R2, 4:04
Bobby Seronio III def. Calob Ramirez via knockout (punch): R2, 2:14
Gaston Bolanos def. Daniel Carey via TKO (punches): R1, 4:59
Kyle Crutchmer def. Michael Lombardo via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27×2)
Edwin De Los Santos def. Alberto Martinez Mendez via unanimous decision (30-27×3)
Rogelio Luna def. Socrates Hernandez via TKO (punches) – R3, 4:48
Laird Anderson def. J.T. Donaldson via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 2:44
Theo Haig def. Alan Benson via submission (rear-naked choke): R1, 2:08
