Bellator 297 is set later TONIGHT (Saturday, June 16, 2023) inside the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, headlined by a light heavyweight fight as Vadim Nemkov goes on to defend his fourth consecutive title when he fights Yoel Romero. The event will headline the competition for the bantamweight title as Sergio Pettis fights current featherweight champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire.
Many of our readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all the action going into 6 p.m. ET With “Prelims” on YouTube (Watch them here) and then go to Showtime at 9 p.m. ET to make the master card. Feel free to leave a comment (or 297) about the spells and chat with all the other lunatics during the show – it’s always so much fun!
BELLATOR 297 FAST RESULTS:
205lbs: Champion Vadim Nemkov vs. Yoel Romero
135 lbs: Champion Sergio Pettis vs. Champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire
205 lbs: Corey Anderson against. Phil Davis-Anderson via split decision
265 lbs: Daniel James against. Gokhan Sarikam – Saricam by unanimous decision
170 lbs.: Kyle Crotcher vs. Bobby Nash
205 lbs.: Alex Polizzi vs. Carl Moore
265 lbs.: Wladmir Gouvea vs. Gabriel Sayeg
155 lbs.: Mike Hamill vs. Shamil Nechaif
145 lbs.: Timur Khizrev vs. Richie Smolin
155 lbs: Gadzhi Rabadanov against. Peter Boist-Rabadanov by unanimous decision
170 lbs: Jalil Willis against. Ramzan Kuramagomedov – Kuramagomedov via first-round knockout
155 lbs: Archie Colgan against. Emmanuel Sanchez – Colgan by unanimous decision
185 lbs: Norbert Novene Jr against. Kamil Onizczuk-Novini Jr. via first-round knockout
185 lbs: Jordan Newman against. Matthew Perry – Newman by First Round Presentation (Americana)
145 lbs: Cody Low against. Edwin Chavez – Law by unanimous decision
BELLATOR 297 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
205 lbs: champ Vadim Nemkov against. Yoel Romero
first round:
Second round:
Third round:
Fourth round:
Fifth round:
The final result:
135 lbs: champ Sergio Pettis opposite the champion Patricio “Pitbull” Freire
first round:
Second round:
Third round:
Fourth round:
Fifth round:
The final result:
205 lbs: Corey Anderson against. Phil Davis
Round 1: Brief overview here. Davis changes level, but Anderson stays on his feet and pins Davis along the cage with his own. Anderson scores a takedown. Davis runs back and takes Anderson’s back all the way to the cage before getting a short takedown. More pressure along the cage by Davis. Two minutes off the clock. The two lighthearted ones finally exchanged a few punches. Davis twists but appears to be a slip or ankle problem. Anderson moves in with an insult to the head and body. Davis backtracks along the cage. He is able to control and threaten to suffocate. Anderson runs away and lands a sweet kick in the leg before shooting him to stop him. Anderson catches up, but Davis scrambles hard. Both mean back to the feet. Davis is now on his back again. Anderson with manual control. He is able to swing backwards to finish the round. 10-9 Anderson
Round two: short blow to Anderson 30 seconds off the clock. Both men bluff and don’t throw much. A leg kick and then a body kick land Davis. Anderson’s tough left hand scores. Davis wrestles again to the length of the cage. Anderson breaks hands and spins. Two minutes down. Anderson with his right hand, followed by his left. Davis hasn’t landed much of anything. More interval work along the cage. Short Knees Inside by Davis. Anderson finds a home for another right hand on his feet. Davis finally comes back with a 1-2 score. Anderson moves to the clinch. One minute left. The two are separate. Anderson with a nice stretch and Davies almost recovered. 10-9 Anderson
Round 3: Body kick landed by Anderson. Davis sniffs a few shots before landing a double. Scores with a lower leg kick from Anderson. Davis returns with a nod. Anderson appears to land on the left. Davis’ big right hand. Anderson brings him back with a whipping hook across his body. The pressure builds before Anderson shoots inside to clear the cage. Anderson almost gets back in control, but Davis gets back on his feet. The two light heavyweights now triumphing along the fence. They broke in the end. Anderson with a nice body before landing a spinning backhand. Anderson with more pressure. Davis needs more production. Big 1-2 by Davis followed by a punch. Anderson is not backing down. They exchanged shots and Anderson’s mouthpiece fell off. 10-9 Davis
Final result: Anderson defeated. Davis via Split Resolution
265 lbs: Daniel James against. Gokhan Sarikam
Round 1: James Press and Sarikam hit a counter shot in a short takedown. James looks to clinch along the cage. Saricam short punch. A low blow lands against Sarikam but the referee doesn’t see it. James with more knees on the inside. Saricam returns with his own. Two minutes down. Both heavyweights still wrestle along the cage. Sarikam tries to shoot but James gently defends. James then tries to jump to throw Saricam but he defends. Two minutes left. More grappling over the fence. Finally, Saricam gets a takedown and lands in the highest level. Body work by Saricam. James doesn’t do much for the class or vice versa. Hammer fist lands by Saricam. More pound land for Sarikam to finish the round. 10-9 Sarikam
Round 2: Hard leg kick lands by Sarikam to start the round. Another kick from Sarikam. Then it records the removal process. James runs back to the fence to stand up. Saricam cuts the corner and enters a half-mountain. He lands short punches. James does a good job of controlling the wrists and limiting the damage. Sarikam’s sharp elbow shakes James’ head. More elbows from above. Two minutes off the clock. The crowd becomes agitated, but Sarikkam manages enough. James looks exhausted. Saricam stays front heavy and is happy to land short punches to the head and body. The round ends with Saricam in the lead again. 10-9 Sarikam
Round 3: James chasing Sarikam assumes he needs to finish here. Leg kick lands by Sarikam. He is distancing from James. Sarikam almost clipped James during a quick exchange inside. Sarikam swoops in for the takedown, but James gently defends. James controls along the cage. Saricam reverses and goes down some knees. James reverse now. Not much offense that landed. Three minutes left. The referee finally steps in to reset the procedure. Sarikam goes straight back to his takedown and James stuffs it. James is now looking for chokehold, but Sarikam flees to the dismay of the crowd. The heavy weights continue to maneuver for position along the cage. The crowd is still booing. James and Sarikam exchange some knees on the inside before Sarikam lands and ends the round. 10-9 Sarikam
The end result: Saricam def. James via unanimous decision
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