Bellator 301 is a stacked event featuring two world title fights from the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. Undefeated Welterweight Champion Yaroslav Amosov returns to the Bellator cage this Friday when he defends his title against Jamaican-born contender Jason Jackson, who rides a six-fight winning streak into this matchup. Amosov recently defeated All-American wrestler Logan Storley and will look to defend his Welterweight Championship for the third time. Jackson hasn’t fought in over a year but looked tremendous in his win over Douglas Lima at Bellator 283.
In the Co-Main Event Bantamweight Champion Sergio Pettis takes on Grand Prix tournament winner Patchy Mix in a highly anticipated battle at 135 pounds. Pettis just put together one of the best performances of his career in June, defeating Featherweight Champion Patricio Pitbull by unanimous decision. Mix has gone on an impressive streak finishing four of his last five opponents. In the Grand Prix tournament, Mix submitted Magomed Magomedov in the Semifinals and knocked out Raufeon Stots to win the finals.
Also, on the Bellator 301 Main Card, “The Italian Gangster” Danny Sabatello competes in front of his hometown fans facing heated rival Raufeon Stots.
(C) Yaroslav Amosov (27-0) vs. #2 Jason Jackson (16-4):
In the Main Event of Bellator 301, talented Welterweights collide when champion Yaroslav Amosov takes on Jason Jackson. Amosov served in the Ukraine military defending his country after the invasion from Russia and returned to the sport in February after almost two years off. In his return, Amosov was dominant in a win against respected title challenger Logan Storley. Amosov is a Combat Sambo world champion who has one of the best ground games in the sport. When facing Storley, Amosov was able to defend against the former Division One All-American’s takedowns en route to a unanimous decision victory.
Amosov has the best record in the sport of MMA and is an elite talent regardless of promotion. Title challenger Jason Jackson enters this contest as a betting underdog (+310) at online sportsbooks. Jackson holds impressive wins over former world champions Douglas Lima and Benson Henderson.
On the ground, Jackson can hold his own against accomplished grapplers and is athletic enough to avoid takedowns from opponents with a strong wrestling base. Amosov will hold an advantage if the fight hits the floor, but Jackson will make him earn any takedowns he can get. On the feet, Jackson will have a three-and-a-half-inch reach advantage. When Amosov is at his best he operates at a relentless pace utilizing some of the best cardio in the sport. Jackson has not lost since 2019 and presents a very interesting stylistic matchup for the champion.
(C) Sergio Pettis (23-5) vs (IC) Patchy Mix (18-1):
Bellator 301’s Co-Main event features two of the best fighters in the world at 135 pounds. Bantamweight Champion Sergio Pettis has not lost since joining Bellator. Pettis took the belt off Juan Archuleta and also knocked out Kyoji Horiguchi with a stunning spinning back fist in their title matchup. Patchy Mix is an extremely gifted fighter whose (5’11) frame presents significant problems for other Bantamweight competitors. Mix’s only loss came at the hands of Juan Archuleta at Bellator 246. Since that fight Mix standup has improved drastically, while also being one of the slickest submission specialists in MMA. Entering this contest, the challenger Patchy Mix is a (-230) betting favorite at online sportsbooks.
On the feet, Pettis is one of the fastest and most accurate strikers in the game, his creativity and ability to make in-fight adjustments are second to none. Pettis is a former UFC veteran who has competed against some of the best fighters in the world. In his career, Pettis has faced former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, former UFC Flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, and top-ten contender Rob Font. Mix will hold a significant advantage on the ground, however, with twelve of his professional wins coming by way of Submission. Mix will also enjoy a two- and half-inch reach advantage.
#2 Raufeon Stots (19-2) vs. #6 Danny Sabatello (14-3):
One of the most heated rivalries in MMA opens its second chapter Friday night. After controversial scorecards at the Mohegan Sun, Raufeon Stots and Danny Sabatello will finally get another chance to settle their differences. Last December, Douglas Crosby scored the first matchup 50-45 for Sabatello while the other two judges scored the fight for Stots.
This was the first time in a major martial arts promotion that one judge gave every round to a fighter while the other two judges saw it going the other way. Sabatello is a Chicago native who wrestled at The University of Purdue before pursuing a career in fighting. This will be the first time that Sabatello has competed in his hometown under the Bellator banner.
The first fight was a semifinal matchup in the Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix. Sabatello was able to control Stots on the ground for large portions of the fight, racking up over ten minutes of control time. Although Sabatello was controlling Stots, he was unable to severely damage his opponent while on top. Tempers have been flaring all week between these two at media day and weigh-ins. Sabatello enters this contest as a slight betting favorite at online sportsbooks (-122).
Bellator 301 Prelims:
The Bellator 301 Prelims are filled with up-and-coming talent in the promotion. Undefeated Russian prospect Ramazan Kuramagomedov (11-0) returns to the Bellator cage this weekend facing California’s Randall Wallace (20-9). Kurmagoedov is (6’1) at 170 pounds and is coming off a devasting knockout win against Jaleel Willis in June. Wallace is a veteran of the LFA who is making his promotional debut in this fight. Wallace is riding a five-fight win streak dating back to 2019. In my opinion, Kuramagomedov is one of the most dangerous young fighters in the sport and at 27 years old, he is just now entering the prime of his career.
Also, on the Bellator 301 prelims, ranked Heavyweights throw down when No.7 Marcelo Golm (10-4) faces No. 6 Tyrell Fortune (13-3). Golm and Fortune both are coming off knockout losses to Chicago native Daniel James and need a win to stay ranked in the top ten of the division. Golm has finished all ten of his professional wins and has a sneaky ground game for a Heavyweight as well. Fortune is a powerful athlete who has eight wins by knockout.
The Bellator Prelims begin live on YouTube at 4 p.m. CST with the Main Card starting on SHOWTIME at 8 p.m. CST.
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