Bellator 297 culminated in front of a packed Chicago crowd last night. After 45 minutes of technical difficulties, the action was under way. Here are the biggest takeaways from the massive fight card.
Biggest Takeaways from Bellator 297
There were Some Bad Men in the Pre(Post)lims
4️⃣ incredible finishes at the @WintrustArena. Which one was your favorite? 🤔#Bellator297 pic.twitter.com/BkPxNvJHlv
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
With the main card offering zero finishes, the pre and postliminary fights delivered. In the prelims, Ramazan Kuramagomedov made a thunderous debut to Bellator as the Russian violently stopped Jaleel Willis in under ninety seconds. Similarly, Norbert Növényi Jr. forced a quick and brutal finish over his middleweight opponent Kamil Oniszczuk. After scoring his first round knockout, Növényi Jr., busted a move to the applause of the crowd.
In the postlims, Wladmir Gouvea found his second finish in as many professional fights when he stopped Gabriel Sayeg in the first round. At welterweight, Kyle Crutchmer made quick work of Bobby Nash, climbing to 10-2. Keep an eye on these finishers in future events.
Good Ole Wrestling Remains the Answer
Gokhan Saricam just throwing @djames1981 around to end the final round!
Who won that fight? 👀#Bellator297 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/Dx9JSaztAB
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Despite the will of the Chicago crowd, hometown hero Daniel “The American Predator” James had little to offer against Turkey’s Gokhan Saricam. From the initial bell, Saricam initiated his grappling ability by forcing the clinch. Saricam would score several takedowns on James throughout the 15-minute affair, completely neutralizing James’ heavy hands. Saricam would earn the nod from all three judges to knock off the #4 ranked James.
Believe in Sergio Pettis
A career-defining win! 🔥
It’s #AndStill for @sergiopettis. He defeats the Bellator GOAT to retain the bantamweight world championship in Chicago. #Bellator297 | #BlackhawkTire | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/m9Jjpns8hW
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
In a beautifully technical performance, Sergio Pettis claimed victory over Bellator’s pound-for-pound best in Patricio Pitbull to retain the Bellator Bantamweight World Championship. Throughout the 25-minute contest, Pettis looked great everywhere. Utilizing long-chain combinations, quick striking speed, smart distance management, and a variety of strikes, Pettis out landed Pitbull throughout. Pettis also managed to thImost all of Pitbull’s attempts at a takedown and managed to quickly work back to his feet when forced to the mat. Pettis will now face the winner of the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Pris Patchy Mix in his next walk to the cage.
Romero Is in Retirement Form
Its hard to determine whether Vadim Nemkov was that good or if Yoel Romero was that bad in the main event title fight last night. Nemkov would fight his way to a relatively easy victory over the 46-year-old Romero, earning four of the five rounds on all three judges’ scorecards. Romero would offer a rather bizarre performance (not something quite unfamiliar for Romero) that would lend him his seventh career loss and fifth in a main event fight.
If you locked in your bet for this fight by way of our Bellator 297 Betting Guide, you cashed out nicely.
