A massive MMA event goes down on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia as PFL vs. Bellator champions face each other, in the first event since their merger. An 11-fight card goes down headlined by a heavyweight fight between PFL champ Renan Ferreira and Bellator champ Ryan Bader.
Ferreira (12-3 and three No Contests) is coming off a second-round knockout win over Denis Goltsov in November to win the 2023 PFL heavyweight season. The Brazilian is 6-1 with three No Contests in PFL as he has notable wins over Maurice Greene, Matheus Scheffel, and Jamelle Jones among others in his career.
Bader (31-7 and one No Contest) is coming off a first-round knockout win over Fedor Emelianenko a year ago to defend his Bellator heavyweight title. He’s currently on a three-fight winning streak as he has wins over Cheick Kongo and Valentin Moldavsky as his last loss came by knockout to Corey Anderson at 205lbs. In his career, Bader has notable wins over Lyoto Machida, Matt Mitrione, King Mo, Rashas Evans, Ovince St. Preux, and Rampage Jackson.
The winner of Ferreira vs. Bader is also expected to face Francis Ngannou later this year in the PFL in his return to MMA.
Today’s PFL vs. Bellator card’s co-main event sees PFL light heavyweight champ Impa Kasanganay face Bellator middleweight champ Johnny Eblen at 185lbs.
If that isn’t enough, a battle of former UFC veterans goes down as Thiago Santos takes on Yoel Romero at light heavyweight. To open the main card, a lightweight banger takes place as Clay Collard faces AJ McKee.
Get all of tonight’s live results and highlights below (refresh for updates):
Main card
Renan Ferreira def. Ryan Bader by TKO at 0:21 of Round 1.
WOAHHHHH pic.twitter.com/xV3J1oRAks
— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Johnny Eblen def. Impa Kasanganay by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
IMPA DROPS EBLEN!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/JXOoRLwewo— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Jason Jackson def. Ray Cooper III by TKO at 0:23 of Round 2.
absolute beatdown by Jason Jackson over Ray Cooper. glad that one got stopped early #BellatorvsPFL pic.twitter.com/vlUIa7eWyb
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) February 24, 2024
Vadim Nemkov def. Bruno Cappelozza by submission (arm triangle) at 2:13 of Round 2.
Vadim Nemkov wins his heavyweight debut over Bruno Cappelozza by second-round submission.
Bellator moves to 3-0 against PFL thus far #PFLvsBellator
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 24, 2024
Yoel Romero def. Thiago Santos by unanimous deciison (30-27 x2, 29-28)
Yoel Romero has been investing in those low kicks through 2 rounds. 1 more round to go!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/JZ3pA9nMlu— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Santos vs Romero Round 1 UP NOW!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🌏 https://t.co/2BtPH3wso4 pic.twitter.com/nXWYgsDt1w— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
AJ McKee def. Clay Collard via submission (armbar) at 1:10 of the first round.
AJ McKee submits Clay Collard in the first round!#PFLvsBellator #MMA
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) February 24, 2024
Prelims
Aaron Pico def. Henry Corrales via TKO at 4:53 of the first round.
Aaron Pico unloads elbows to get the stoppage in the 1st round!!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPNEWS & ESPN+
🔗 https://t.co/ZwqrGR9auB
🌏https://t.co/KBGUrUXBLA pic.twitter.com/Q1msp2bd9c— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 24, 2024
Biaggio Ali Walsh def. Emmanuel Palacio via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Claressa Shields def. Kelsey DeSantis via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
KELSEY DE SANTIS LOCKS IN AN ARM BAR BUT CLARESSA SURVIVES!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPNEWS & ESPN+
🔗 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/pZupgx9N8Y— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
KELSEY DE SANTIS LOCKS IN AN ARM BAR BUT CLARESSA SURVIVES!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPNEWS & ESPN+
🔗 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/pZupgx9N8Y— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Abdullah Al-Qahtani def. Edukondala Rao via TKO at 0:23 of Round 3.
ABDULLAH AL QAHTANI GETS THE WIN!#PFLvsBellator LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 ESPNEWS & ESPN+
🔗 https://t.co/cJUXOuQ94d
🌏https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/BFNW6rbBQ3— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 24, 2024
Malek Basahel def. Vinicius Pereira via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
