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Bellator 289: Stots vs. Sabatello
The poster for Bellator 289: Stots vs. Sabatello
PromotionBellator MMA
DateDecember 9, 2022 (2022-12-09)
VenueMohegan Sun Arena
CityUncasville, Connecticut, United States
Event chronology
Bellator 288: Nemkov vs. Anderson 2 Bellator 289: Stots vs. Sabatello Bellator MMA vs. Rizin FF

Bellator 289: Stots vs. Sabatello was a mixed martial arts event produced by Bellator MMA that took place on December 9, 2022, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, United States.

Background

[edit]

The semi-finals of the $1-million Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix took place at this event, with interim champ Raufeon Stots taking on Danny Sabatello, while Patchy Mix took on Magomed Magomedov. Stots defeated Juan Archuleta for the Interim Bellator Bantamweight Championship in their last outing, knocking him out by the way of headkick in the third round. At the same event, Patchy Mix defeated Kyoji Horiguchi by unanimous decision. Sabatello entered the tournament as a wild card, having defeated Jornel Lugo via unanimous decision for a spot in the tournament, while Magomed Magomedov defeated other wild card Enrique Barzola via guillotine choke in the fourth round.[1]

A title bout rematch for the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship between champion Liz Carmouche and Juliana Velasquez took place as the co-main event. Carmouche won the title from Velasquez in April; however, the TKO stoppage was considered controversial as many felt that it happened too early.[2] Following the bout, Velasquez's team appealed the result on the grounds of refereeing error made by Mike Beltran, but the appeal was denied by the Hawaii State Boxing Commission.[3]

Results

[edit]
Main Card (Showtime)
Weight class Method Round Time Notes
Bantamweight Raufeon Stots (ic) def. Danny Sabatello Decision (split) (45–50, 48–47, 48–47) 5 5:00 [a]
Women's Flyweight Liz Carmouche (c) def. Juliana Velasquez Submission (armbar) 2 4:24 [b]
Bantamweight Patchy Mix def. Magomed Magomedov Technical Submission (guillotine choke) 2 2:39 [c]
Middleweight Dalton Rosta def. Anthony Adams Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Preliminary card (Youtube/Pluto TV)
Women's Flyweight Ilara Joanne def. Denise Kielholtz Decision (split) (27–30, 29–28, 30–27) 3 5:00
Welterweight Jaleel Willis def. Kyle Crutchmer Decision (unanimous) (30–27, 30–27, 30–27) 3 5:00
Featherweight Cris Lencioni def. Cody Law Decision (split) (30–27, 28–29, 30–27) 3 5:00
Middleweight Christian Echols def. Pat Downey KO (punches) 1 2:27
Featherweight Kai Kamaka III def. Kevin Boehm TKO (punches) 3 2:23
Welterweight Michael Lombardo def. Mark Lemminger KO (punch) 1 4:23
Bantamweight Cass Bell def. Jared Scoggins Decision (split) (29–28, 28–29, 29–28) 3 5:00
  1. ^ Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Tournament Semi-Final bout for the interim Bellator Bantamweight World Championship.
  2. ^ For the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
  3. ^ Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix Tournament Semi-Final bout.

[4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bellator 289

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Bellator 289: Stots vs. Sabatello was a event produced by the promotion that took place on December 9, 2022, at the in . The event featured 11 bouts in total, headlined by a tournament semifinal in the ongoing 2022 Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix, a $1 million prize competition, and included a women's flyweight championship defense. It was broadcast live on Showtime in the United States, with prelims airing on the Showtime app and . In the main event, interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots faced undefeated challenger Danny Sabatello in a five-round bout to determine the second finalist for the grand prix. Stots emerged victorious via split decision (45-50, 48-47, 48-47), advancing to the final against Patchy Mix, who had submitted Magomed Magomedov via rear-naked choke in the evening's second semifinal earlier on the card. The decision drew controversy due to one judge scoring the fight 50-45 for Sabatello, prompting a review by the Mohegan Sun commission, though the result stood. The co-main event saw flyweight champion defend her title against former champion in a rematch of their controversial first encounter. Carmouche retained the belt via (49-46, 49-46, 48-47), solidifying her reign. Other notable results included Dalton Rosta defeating by in a clash and Ilara Joanne edging Denise Kielholtz via in a women's flyweight opener. The event marked a key chapter in Bellator's grand prix format, highlighting rising contenders in the division.

Event Overview

Date and Venue

Bellator 289 was held on December 9, 2022, at the in . The event marked a significant stop in Bellator MMA's 2022 schedule, featuring the tournament semifinals as part of the 2022 Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix. The , a prominent venue owned by the , has a seating capacity of approximately 10,000 for MMA events and has hosted numerous high-profile combat sports bouts since opening in 2001. This location provided an intimate yet energetic atmosphere for the card, which drew a live to witness key title implications in the division.

Broadcast Details

Bellator 289 was broadcast live in the United States on Showtime, with the main card airing at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on December 9, 2022. The preliminary card streamed for free on the official Bellator YouTube channel starting at 5:30 p.m. ET / 2:30 p.m. PT. In the , the event was available to stream on . International viewers outside the and had access through various regional broadcasters and streaming services, though specific details varied by territory. The broadcast included English-language commentary led by and John McCarthy for the main card.

Background

Bantamweight World Grand Prix

The Bellator Bantamweight World Grand Prix was an eight-man single-elimination tournament announced on December 3, 2021, during the Bellator 272 broadcast, with the winner earning $1 million and a title shot against the undisputed bantamweight champion. The initial field included champion Sergio Pettis, Kyoji Horiguchi, Juan Archuleta, Patchy Mix, Magomed Magomedov, James Gallagher, Raufeon Stots, and Leandro Higo, with all bouts structured as five-round fights to mirror championship format. Injuries significantly altered the bracket prior to the quarterfinals. Pettis suffered a torn ACL, forcing him to withdraw from his scheduled matchup against Stots and vacating the title on an interim basis, with Archuleta stepping in as replacement. Similarly, Gallagher pulled out due to injury, replaced by Higo in the bout against , who entered as an alternate. Enrique Barzola also filled in as an opponent for Magomedov after initial bracketing adjustments. These changes preserved the tournament's momentum while highlighting Bellator's depth in the division. The quarterfinals unfolded across two events in 2022, narrowing the field to four semifinalists. At Bellator 279 on April 23, Mix controlled Horiguchi with superior to secure a victory (48-47, 48-47, 48-47), while Stots claimed the with a third-round (head kick and punches) over Archuleta at 0:16. on June 24 featured Sabatello dominating Higo on the ground for a (49-46 x3), and Magomedov advancing via fourth-round submission against Barzola at 1:27.
Quarterfinal MatchupEventResultMethod/Time
vs. Bellator 279Mix wins (48-47, 48-47, 48-47), 5 rounds
vs. Bellator 279Stots wins (interim )TKO (head kick and punches), R3 0:16
vs. Leandro HigoSabatello wins (49-46 x3), 5 rounds
Magomed Magomedov vs. Enrique BarzolaMagomedov winsSubmission (), R4 1:27
These outcomes positioned the semifinals for Bellator 289, pitting interim Stots against Sabatello in the main event—also a title defense—while Mix faced Magomedov in the co-main, with the winners advancing to the final for the grand prize and undisputed title opportunity. The Grand Prix underscored the division's competitive landscape, blending established stars with rising talents amid unforeseen roster shifts.

Women's Flyweight Championship Rematch

The Women's Flyweight Championship rematch at Bellator 289 pitted defending champion against former champion , a bout born out of controversy from their initial clash for the vacant title at Bellator 278 on April 22, 2022. In that fight, Carmouche secured victory via TKO (elbows) at 4:47 of the fourth round after trapping Velasquez in a and landing ground-and-pound strikes, but the stoppage drew widespread criticism as Velasquez had dominated the earlier rounds with effective striking, including two knockdowns of Carmouche. Velasquez voiced strong dissatisfaction post-fight, describing herself as "disgusted" by the referee's decision and asserting she had controlled the bout, dropping Carmouche twice and leading 3-0 on the judges' scorecards before the stoppage. Bellator president acknowledged the debate surrounding the outcome and expressed receptiveness to booking a rematch to address fan concerns and provide closure. The rematch was officially announced on September 14, 2022, for the co-main event of Bellator 289 at in , allowing both fighters time to prepare after the divisive first encounter. Buildup to the event highlighted escalating personal tensions, with Carmouche noting the rivalry had become deeply personal while emphasizing her focus on improvement over confrontation. Velasquez, seeking to reclaim the belt she viewed as unjustly lost, aimed to capitalize on her prior dominance and prove her striking prowess in a five-round .

Results

Main Card

The main card of Bellator 289 featured four bouts, headlined by a tournament semifinal between interim champion and challenger , as part of the ongoing $1 million Bantamweight World Grand Prix. In the co-main event, women's flyweight champion defended her title against former champion in a highly anticipated rematch. The card also included another Grand Prix semifinal pitting unbeaten prospect against undefeated Russian Magomed Magomedov, and a clash between Dalton Rosta and . All fights aired on Showtime following prelims on and . In the main event, Stots (19-1) edged out Sabatello (13-2) via (45-50, 48-47, 48-47) after five grueling rounds, advancing to the Grand Prix final against . Stots, known for his wrestling base, controlled much of the grappling exchanges, though Sabatello's pressure and volume striking led to a controversial scorecard from one judge. The fight drew criticism for its close nature, with Stots landing 128 significant strikes to Sabatello's 115, per official stats. This victory solidified Stots' status as a top contender while marking Sabatello's first loss in Bellator. Carmouche (17-7) retained her women's flyweight title against Velasquez (12-2) by (49-46, 49-46, 48-47), dominating with superior wrestling and ground control over five rounds. In their first encounter at Bellator 278, Carmouche had won by fourth-round submission, but Velasquez's improved striking tested the champion early; however, Carmouche reversed multiple takedown attempts and outstruck her opponent 142-89. This win extended Carmouche's reign and avenged any lingering doubts from the prior bout's late finish. The first Grand Prix semifinal saw Mix (18-1) submit Magomedov (20-1) via technical submission () at 2:39 of the second round, showcasing his elite credentials. Mix, a former wrestler, caught Magomedov during a scramble, forcing the tap despite the Russian's reputation for resilience and power. This quick finish propelled Mix into the final, highlighting his 16-fight win streak and positioning him as a favorite against Stots. Magomedov's debut loss ended his perfect professional record. Opening the main card, Rosta (8-0) defeated Adams (5-1) by (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) in a bout, using his length and to outpoint the shorter Adams over three rounds. Rosta landed 78 significant strikes to Adams' 45, while avoiding significant damage in clinch exchanges. The win kept Rosta's undefeated streak alive, underscoring his potential in the division.
FightWeight ClassResultMethod/TimeRound
Raufeon Stots vs. Danny SabatelloBantamweight (Grand Prix Semifinal)Stots def. SabatelloSplit Decision (45-50, 48-47, 48-47)5
Liz Carmouche (c) vs. Juliana VelasquezWomen's Flyweight (Title)Carmouche def. VelasquezUnanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)5
Patchy Mix vs. Magomed MagomedovBantamweight (Grand Prix Semifinal)Mix def. MagomedovSubmission (Guillotine Choke) / 2:392
Dalton Rosta vs. Anthony AdamsMiddleweightRosta def. AdamsUnanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)3

Preliminary Card

The preliminary card for Bellator 289 featured seven bouts streamed live on and , showcasing a mix of established prospects and newcomers across multiple weight classes. These fights highlighted competitive decisions and quick finishes, setting the tone for the evening's action at in . The card opened with a clash where Cass Bell earned a hard-fought victory over Jared Scoggins (29–28, 28–29, 29–28), rebounding from a prior loss with effective and striking exchanges over three rounds. In the next bout, Michael Lombardo secured a stunning first-round against Mark Lemminger at 4:23 with a left hook followed by ground strikes, marking a breakout performance for the undefeated prospect. Featherweight action saw Kai Kamaka III dominate Kevin Boehm, finishing the fight via TKO (punches) in the third round at 2:23 after wearing down his opponent with pressure and volume striking. Another upset followed as Christian Echols knocked out heavily favored Pat Downey with a devastating at 2:27 of the first round, ending the bout as Downey collapsed against the . In a closely contested matchup, Cris Lencioni upset Cody Law via (30–27, 28–29, 30–27), relying on aggressive takedowns and control to edge out the decision despite Law's striking advantage. veteran Jaleel Willis controlled en route to a win (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), using superior wrestling to neutralize Crutchmer's offense throughout the fight. The preliminary card concluded with a women's flyweight bout where Ilara Joanne defeated Denise Kielholtz by split decision (27–30, 29–28, 30–27), overcoming early adversity with effective counter-striking and clinch work to claim the win.
BoutWeight ClassResult
Cass Bell vs. Jared ScogginsBantamweightBell def. Scoggins via split decision (29–28, 28–29, 29–28), 3 rounds
Michael Lombardo vs. Mark LemmingerWelterweightLombardo def. Lemminger via KO (punch), 1st round (4:23)
Kai Kamaka III vs. Kevin BoehmFeatherweightKamaka III def. Boehm via TKO (punches), 3rd round (2:23)
Christian Echols vs. Pat DowneyMiddleweightEchols def. Downey via KO (uppercut), 1st round (2:27)
Cris Lencioni vs. Cody LawFeatherweightLencioni def. Law via split decision (30–27, 28–29, 30–27), 3 rounds
Jaleel Willis vs. Kyle CrutchmerWelterweightWillis def. Crutchmer via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27), 3 rounds
Ilara Joanne vs. Denise KielholtzWomen's FlyweightJoanne def. Kielholtz via split decision (27–30, 29–28, 30–27), 3 rounds

Aftermath

Grand Prix Progression

Bellator 289 served as the semifinal stage of the 2022-2023 World Grand Prix, advancing the tournament toward its conclusion. In the main event, interim bantamweight champion defeated via (45-50, 48-47, 48-47) after five rounds, securing his spot in the $1 million grand prize final. In the co-main event, submitted Magomed Magomedov with a at 2:39 of the second round, earning his advancement despite Magomedov's strong wrestling base. These victories set up a highly anticipated final between Stots and Mix at on April 22, 2023, in , . Mix dominated the matchup, landing a jumping knee just 1:25 into the first round, capturing the interim title and the $1 million prize. This outcome marked the completion of the Grand Prix bracket, which had begun with quarterfinals in May 2022 featuring eight competitors, including notable wins by Mix over Magomed Anchukhaev and Stots over . The Grand Prix's progression highlighted Bellator's emphasis on high-stakes tournaments to crown top contenders, with Mix's victory positioning him as the division's leading figure ahead of potential unification bouts against the vacant or disputed title. Stots' loss ended his 11-fight winning streak but solidified his status as a top , while the event's outcomes influenced subsequent title challenges in the division.

Division Impacts

Bellator 289 had notable repercussions for the bantamweight division, primarily through the semi-final bouts of the World Grand Prix tournament. Raufeon Stots successfully defended his interim Bellator Bantamweight Championship with a split decision victory over Danny Sabatello in the main event, extending his undefeated streak in the promotion to seven consecutive wins—all of which came by decision. This outcome propelled Stots into the tournament final, positioning him as a leading contender for the undisputed title held by Sergio Pettis. In the co-main event, Patchy Mix secured his spot in the final by submitting Magomed Magomedov in the second round, a performance that tied Mix with the division record for most stoppage victories under Bellator at four. These results elevated both fighters in the official rankings, with Stots ascending to the No. 1 contender position and Mix solidifying his place at No. 2, while Sabatello entered the top five at No. 5. The event thus narrowed the path to title unification, intensifying competition at the top of the 135-pound weight class. In the women's flyweight division, reinforced her status as champion by submitting via armbar in the second round of their rematch, marking her second successful title defense against the former titleholder and improving her Bellator record to 5-0 overall. This victory extended Carmouche's winning streak to five fights in Bellator, establishing the longest active streak at flyweight in the promotion as of December 2022. Despite the loss, Velasquez retained her No. 1 as the top challenger, underscoring her continued relevance in the title picture, while Carmouche's 12 career stoppages highlighted her finishing prowess. The bout's outcome stabilized the division's hierarchy, with Carmouche's dominance reducing immediate threats to her reign and prompting discussions on potential cross-promotional opportunities. Other divisions experienced minor ripples from the undercard. In the women's flyweight division, Denise Kielholtz's split decision loss to Ilara Joanne (29-28, 27-30, 30-27) marked her third consecutive defeat, dropping her to No. 5 in flyweight rankings and nearing the division record for most losses under Bellator at five. Meanwhile, Dalton Rosta's unanimous decision win over Anthony Adams in the middleweight bout preserved his undefeated 8-0 professional record, bolstering his standing as an emerging prospect in the 185-pound division. These results contributed to broader underdog success across the card but did not significantly alter divisional landscapes beyond the featured weight classes.

Post-Merger Developments

Following Bellator's acquisition by the (PFL) in 2023, the bantamweight division saw unify the interim and full titles, becoming the PFL bantamweight champion and defending successfully as of 2025. continued competing, securing wins including a rematch against Sabatello in 2023. In the women's flyweight division, defended her title multiple times before vacating it in 2024 to challenge for the atomweight title, where she became champion in September 2024.

References

  1. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Bellator-289-Stots-vs-Sabatello-94521
  2. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-289-predictions-raufeon-stots-vs-danny-sabatello-fight-card-start-time-odds-live-stream/
  3. https://www.mmamania.com/2022/11/28/23453259/bellator-289-fight-card-rumors-stots-sabatello-dec-9-bantamweight-grand-prix-showtime-mma
  4. https://www.espn.com/mma/fightcenter/_/id/600024128/league/bellator
  5. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-289-Stots-vs-Sabatello-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-188649
  6. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/mohegan-commission-to-review-bellator-289-scoring-with-all-three-judges-this-is-a-very-serious-situation/
  7. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/12/bellator-289-raufeon-stots-danny-sabatello-grand-prix-carmouche-velasquez-results-live-video-stream-showtime
  8. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-289-results-highlights-raufeon-stots-patchy-mix-earn-big-wins-to-set-up-1-million-title-clash/live/
  9. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/92561-bellator-289
  10. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/events/bellator-289
  11. https://www.bbc.com/sport/mixed-martial-arts/63892990
  12. https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/How-to-Watch-Bellator-289-188639
  13. https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/news/mixed-martial-arts/what-time-is-bellator-289-tonight-cagewalks-running-order-streaming-how-to-watch-raufeon-stots-vs-danny-sabatello/ggx9zmtol751g3pivp5pr4es
  14. https://www.bellator.com/how-to-watch
  15. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-mma-announces-eight-man-world-grand-prix-at-bantamweight-starting-in-2022/
  16. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/33585864/bellator-shuffles-bantamweight-grand-prix-field-due-sergio-pettis-james-gallagher-injuries
  17. https://www.mmamania.com/2022/6/29/23186454/updated-bellator-bantamweight-world-grand-prix-bracket-pic-tournament-showtime-mma
  18. https://www.espn.com/mma/fightcenter/_/id/600018268/league/bellator
  19. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Liz-CarmoucheJuliana-Velasquez-Flyweight-Title-Rematch-Booked-for-Bellator-289-187966
  20. https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Bellator-278-Velasquez-vs-Carmouche-PlaybyPlay-Results-Round-Scoring-186191
  21. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-278-results-highlights-liz-carmouche-wins-flyweight-title-with-debatable-tko-of-juliana-velasquez/
  22. https://bloodyelbow.com/2022/04/24/juliana-velasquez-responds-controversial-stoppage-at-bellator-278-wants-result-overturned-mma-news/
  23. https://www.mmamania.com/2022/9/15/23354163/liz-carmouche-julianna-velasquez-championship-rematch-bellator-289-dec-9-showtime-mma
  24. https://cagesidepress.com/2022/12/05/bellator-289-liz-carmouche-interview/
  25. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/bellator/2022/12/07/bellator-289-liz-carmouche-rematch-vs-juliana-velasquez-doesnt-make-sense/81038239007/
  26. https://www.mmafighting.com/fight-card/1338/bellator-289-stots-vs-sabatello
  27. https://www.mmamania.com/2022/12/9/23496704/bellator-289-results-live-streaming-play-by-play-updates-stots-sabatello-grand-prix-showtime-mma
  28. https://cagesidepress.com/2022/12/09/bellator-289-stots-vs-sabatello-live-stream-results/
  29. https://www.sherdog.com/videos/highlightreels/Bellator-289-Highlight-Video-Michael-Lombardo-Lays-Out-Mark-Lemminger-19297
  30. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/history/_/id/4688447/kai-kamaka-iii
  31. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2022/12/bellator-289-video-christian-echols-lands-walk-off-uppercut-on-pat-downey-for-massive-upset
  32. https://mmadecisions.com/decision/13657/Cris-Lencioni-vs-Cody-Law
  33. https://mmadecisions.com/decision/13658/Jaleel-Willis-vs-Kyle-Crutchmer
  34. https://mmadecisions.com/decision/13659/Ilara-Joanne-vs-Denise-Kielholtz
  35. https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/10/23502638/bellator-289-results-raufeon-stots-edges-danny-sabatello-split-decision-meets-patchy-mix-in-1-mil
  36. https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/36268832/patchy-mix-ko-stots-win-bellator-bantamweight-world-gp
  37. https://www.mmafighting.com/2023/4/23/23694575/bellator-295-results-patchy-mix-starches-raufeon-stots-wins-interim-belt-and-bantamweight-grand-prix
  38. https://www.sherdog.com/events/Bellator-295-Stots-vs-Mix-96606
  39. https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/bellator-295-results-highlights-patchy-mix-brutally-finishes-raufeon-stots-to-claim-grand-prix-title/live/
  40. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/story/sports/bellator/2022/12/11/bellator-289-post-event-facts-underdogs-shine-on-final-card-of-2022/81033514007/
  41. https://www.mmamania.com/2022/12/19/23512716/bellator-rankings-updated-following-stots-sabatello-grand-prix-event-showtime-mma
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