Bellator returns to its unofficial east coast home of the Mohegan Sun Casino on Saturday for Bellator 289 as it continues on with the highly entertaining Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix.
Headlining the card from a selling perspective are two title fights, one between heated rivals and one a rematch of a controversial stoppage earlier this year. For weeks fans have been given the pleasure of a great back-and-forth between the interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots and rising contender Danny Sabatello as they do their best to sell the fight between them as not a show but rather an authentic disdain for one another.
In the co-main event spot, we have a rematch of the women’s flyweight title where new champion Liz Carmouche looks to defend her title from the former champion she defeated at Bellator 279 in Juliana Velasquez. That bout was stopped controversially in the eyes of fans and media alike when Carmouche had the former champ in a crucifix position. This time around both women look for a clean finish so that they can continue to build legacies that exist outside of that context.
The other half of the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix will also take place on the main card, as Patchy Mix will fight for another shot at the belt against Magomed Magomedov, who will be looking for revenge in the finals should he and Stots win.
Prelims for the event start at 5:30 PM/2:30 PM PST on the Bellator’s Youtube page, and the main card can be seen on Showtime starting at 9:00 PM EST/6:00 PM PST.
Bellator 289 Results
Main Card
Raufeon Stots def. Danny Sabatello via Split Decision (45-50, 48-47, 48-47), advances to Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Final and defends the Bellator Interim Bantamweight Championship
Liz Carmouche def. Juliana Velasquez via Submission (Armbar) at 4:24 of Round 2, defends Bellator Women’s Flyweight Championship
Patchy Mix def. Magomed Magomedov via Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:39 of Round 2, advances to Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Final
Dalton Rosta def. Anthony Adams via Unanimous Decision
Preliminary Card
Ilara Joanne def. Denise Kielholtz via Split Decision
Jaleel Willis def. Kyle Crutchmer via Unanimous Decision
Cris Lencioni def. Cody Law via Split Decision
Christian Echols def. Pat Downey via KO (Right Uppercut) at 2:27 of Round 1
Kai Kamaka III def. Kevin Boehm via TKO (Ground and Pound) at 2:23 of Round 3
Michael Lombardo def. Mark Lemminger via KO (Left Hook) at 4:23 of Round 1
Cass Bell def. Jared Scoggins via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
