Three champions put their titles on the line at Bellator 300 on Saturday. Three champions dominated.
The event at Pechanga Arena in San Diego showed off some high-level command from two champs and a little workmanlike mastery from the third. Lightweight champ Usman Nurmagomedov did the improbable in the main event, outshining a legend, women’s featherweight titlist Cris Cyborg, who’d just put on a thrashing in the co-main. And Liz Carmouche, while not an entertainer in her women’s flyweight title defense, got an emotionally challenging job done with unemotional efficiency.
As for the “300” part attached to the fight card, that’s a nice, big number, showing Bellator has persevered since its founding 14 years ago. The promotion has delivered some big moments, as well as some bizarre ones. But was this a milestone for the company or a roadside marker indicating the end is right up ahead? Reports and rumors have been swirling that Bellator is on the verge of being bought by the PFL, putting the promotion’s future in doubt. At this point, the only event scheduled is next month’s Bellator 301. Is that the last we’ll see of Bellator?
Jeff Wagenheim and Brett Okamoto offer some thoughts on all things Bellator — what happened Saturday night at Bellator 300 and what it means for the…
