One of the biggest rematches in Bellator MMA history will finally take place tonight, April 15. Inside the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., A.J. McKee will defend the Bellator featherweight title against former champion Patricio "Pitbull" Freire. Additionally, the Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix will come to an end, with Vadim Nemkov defending his light heavyweight title against Corey Anderson.
McKee made his pro debut in 2015. He would beat Georgi Karakhanyan, Derek Campos and Darrion Caldwell in a Featherweight Grand Prix that lasted from 2019 to 2021. In the finals, McKee beat "Pitbull" via submission to win the title and the $1 million prize.
"Pitbull" made his pro debut in 2004. Joining Bellator in 2010, Freire is a two-time featherweight and one-time lightweight champion. He is the owner of the most wins in Bellator history, among various other records.
MORE: A.J. McKee on Patricio "Pitbull" Freire rematch, Nate Diaz beef and Jake Paul drama
Nemkov made his MMA debut in 2013. Joining Bellator in 2017, Nemkov is 7-0 for the promotion. He beat Ryan Bader in 2020 for the Bellator light heavyweight title. During the Light Heavyweight Grand Prix, he beat Phil Davis and Julius Anglickas.
A winner of The Ultimate Fighter 19 in 2014, Anderson lost his last UFC bout against Jan Blachowicz in 2020. He was 10-5 with the promotion. Anderson joined Bellator and is 3-0 with the organization. He beat Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov and Bader in the Grand Prix.
The Sporting News has all the information you need to watch the fight on Friday, including time, channel and fight card.
What time does Bellator 277 start today?
- Date: Friday, April 15
- Start time: 7 p.m. ET
- Main card: 10 p.m. ET
- Main event: 12 a.m. ET (approximately)
Bellator 277 takes place on Friday, April 15. The YouTube prelims will start at 7 p.m. ET, and the main card begins at 10 p.m. ET. McKee and Freire should make their way to the cage at around midnight ET, depending on how long the undercard fights go.
What channel is Bellator 277 on?
- U.S. - Showtime, YouTube
Bellator 277 will start with the prelims on YouTube. In the U.S., the main card will air live on Showtime.
Bellator 277 fight card
Main card
- A.J. McKee (c) vs. Patricio Freire for the Bellator featherweight title
- Vadim Nemkov (c) vs. Corey Anderson for the Bellator light heavyweight title
- Aaron Pico vs. Adli Edwards; Featherweights
- Timothy Johnson vs. Linton Vassell; Heavyweights
Prelims
- Tyrell Fortune vs. Rakim Cleveland; Heavyweights
- Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov vs. Rafael Carvalho; Light Heavyweights
- Gaston Bolanos vs. Daniel Carey; Catchweights
- Kyle Crutchmer vs. Michael Lombardo; Welterweights
- Bobby Seronio III vs. Calob Ramirez; Bantamweights
- Tyson Miller vs. Rhalan Gracie; Welterweights
- Edwin De Los Santos vs. Alberto Mendez; Flyweights
- Socrates Hernandez vs. Rogelio Luna; Featherweights
- Laird Anderson vs. JT Donaldson; Featherweights
- Theo Haig vs. Alan Benson; Light Heavyweights
