Bellator 277 results: Patricio Freire reclaims featherweight title over A.J. McKee; Nemkov-Anderson ends in controversy

Daniel Yanofsky

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Bellator 277 results: Patricio Freire reclaims featherweight title over A.J. McKee; Nemkov-Anderson ends in controversy image

The king of rematches did it again.

Patricio “Pitbull” Freire beat A.J. McKee to reclaim the Bellator featherweight title Friday night. He is now a three-time champion in the division. The judges scored the contest a unanimous decision, 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47.

Freire is back on top after McKee submitted him last July 31. He is still undefeated in rematches.

McKee was hot right out of the gate as he went for a kick to the body. “Pitbull” was ready for him, however, and landed calf kicks, which became a major theme during the fight. McKee was the aggressor early as he landed combinations and spinning back kicks. He egged Freire on, trying to get him to make a mistake.

"Pitbull" started Round 2 with a high kick. Freire stopped an early takedown as he landed punches through McKee’s defense. McKee was overthrowing while Freire looked cool, calm, and collected. They woke up the crowd by exchanging rights and lefts; before then, the fans felt there hadn't been enough action.

MORE: MMA schedule 2022: Date, division, location for upcoming fights

McKee once again egged on Freire in Round 3. The round almost ended the same way as the first fight did, but in reverse; this time, Freire had McKee in a guillotine. McKee was able to pop out of it after several minutes.

The fourth and fifth rounds were uncharted waters for McKee. The fighters exchanged calf kicks and Freire landed strong hooks. Multiple takedown attempts by McKee in the fourth went for naught. McKee finally landed a takedown in the fifth and stuck with elbows. He hit high kicks and uppercuts. McKee ended the fight with a flurry of blows that convinced the judges he should have his hand raised.

Per Bellator, McKee landed 110 strikes while Freire landed 70. "Pitbull" landed more kicks, 33-22, and McKee landed four takedowns out of 10 attempted. 

McKee, who had his corner telling him he was in control of the fight, lost for the first time in his career. "Pitbull" is now 8-2 in his last 10 fights.

A trilogy fight is expected to take place.

Vadim Nemkov vs. Corey Anderson ends in a no-contest

In one of the most controversial moments of the night and in Bellator history, the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix ended in a no-contest after an accidental clash of heads. The tournament hasn't ended yet as no winner was announced. 

Nemkov started the fight hot with a left high kick and then a low one. Anderson landed a nice jab, but Nemkov landed a calf kick that pushed Anderson off his feet. Both started exchanging shots and the crowd was in awe. Nemkov landed jabs and extending rights, followed by kicks all over the place. He seemed to have the early advantage as he was chopping Anderson down.

The momentum shifted in Round 2. Anderson landed body shots and then hit a single-leg takedown. In top position then half guard, Anderson would not let Nemkov escape. Nemkov finally got up toward the end of the round, but could not inflict any damage. 

Round 3 was more of the same. Anderson landed a solid blow to Nemkov's face and then took Nemkov down and smothered him. Anderson eventually went for a big blow, and that's when the fighters accidentally clashed heads. Anderson told referee Frank Trigg, who called a timeout. Nemkov had suffered a brutal cut above eye. It was bad enough to end the fight.

Because the fight didn't reach the fourth round, it wasn't an official bout. The crowd was upset, as was Anderson, who could have led on the judges' scorecards before the fight was calledclose. It is unknown when the two will fight each other again to settle the score. 

Bellator 277 fight card

Main card

  • Patricio Freire def. A.J. McKee (c) via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) for the Bellator featherweight title
  • Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Corey Anderson for the Bellator light heavyweight title ends in a no-contest (accidental head-butt)
  • Aaron Pico def. Adli Edwards via 3rd-round TKO (0:55).
  • Linton Vassell def. Timothy Johnson via 1st-round TKO (4:21). 

Prelims

  • Tyson Miller def. Rhalan Gracie via 1st-round TKO.
  • Tyrell Fortune def. Rakim Cleveland via 1st-round TKO (1:38).
  • Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov def. Rafael Carvalho via 2nd-round TKO (4:04). 
  • Gaston Bolanos def. Daniel Carey via 1st-round TKO (4:49).
  • Kyle Crutchmer def. Michael Lombardo via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Bobby Seronio III def. Calob Ramirez via 2nd-round KO (2:14).
  • Edwin De Los Santos def. Alberto Mendez; via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Rogelio Luna def. Socrates Hernandez via 3rd-round TKO (4:48).
  • Laird Anderson def. JT Donaldson via 1st-round submission (2:44).
  • Theo Haig def. Alan Benson via 1st-round submission (2:08).

Daniel Yanofsky

Daniel Yanofsky Photo

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.