Michael Chandler makes his first defense of the Bellator Lightweight Championship when he faces off against a rival in Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. Both fighters will be the main event of Bellator 221, which takes place inside the Allstate Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Chandler (19-4) enters the bout on a three-fight win streak, his last one a unanimous decision victory against Brent Primus for the title at Bellator 212. This is Chandler’s third time holding the title, losing the title in 2017 to Primus in New York City.
Freire (28-4), the current Bellator Featherweight Champion, is also on a three-fight win streak. He won the title back in 2017 against Daniel Straus, his second time with the belt. “Pitbull” is looking for a measure of revenge against Chandler, who knocked out his brother Patricky at Bellator 157.
Bellator 221 also features a semifinal match of the Welterweight Bellator Grand Prix with Douglas Lima facing Michael “Venom” Page. Lima defeated Andrey Koreshkov in the opening round of the Grand Prix at Bellator 206 via technical submission. The undefeated Page (14-0) took take of rival Paul Daley via unanimous decision at Bellator 216.
FIGHT SPORTS brings you live coverage of Bellator 221!
Bellator 221 Main card (DAZN, 9 p.m. ET)
Bellator Lightweight Championship: Patricio Freire def. Michael Chandler (c) via KO (1:10 into the first round)
Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Semifinal: Douglas Lima def. Michael Page via KO (:35 into round two)
Featherweight: A.J. McKee def. Pat Curran via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Heavyweight: Jake Hager def. T.J. Jones via arm-triangle choke submission (2:36 into round one)
Featherweight: Tywan Claxton def. James Bennett via TKO (2:09 into round three)
Bellator 221 Preliminary Card (DAZN, 6 p.m. ET)
Rob Fenicle def. Bryan Bautista via heel hook submission (1:42 into round one)
Khuukhenkhuu Amartuvshin def. Adam Ward via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Christian Rodriguez def. Jose Leon via armbar submission (4:39 into round one)
Robert Morrow def. James Bochnovic via KO (1:18 into round one)
Christopher Gonzalez def. Charlie Radke via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Cris Lencioni def. Adil Benjilany via triangle choke submission (4:55 into round one)
Dave Latoria v. Jason Belyew ends in a no-contest (unintentional low blow)
Jesse Bazzi def. Joey Deihl via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
John Streacker def. Scott Writz via KO (3:33 into round two)