PATRICIO PITBULL TO DEFEND FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST JEREMY KENNEDY AT BELLATOR CHAMPIONS SERIES BELFAST

Bellator Champions Series Belfast at SSE Arena headlined by two world title fights
Ireland’s James Gallagher fights Brazil’s Leandro Higo in grudge match two years in the making
Bellator Champions Series Belfast airs live on DAZN in Europe March 22

NEW YORK (February 29, 2024) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced the premiere Bellator Champions Series event on Friday, March 22 at The SSE Arena, Belfast will be headlined by two world title fights.

Widely considered to be the Bellator “G.O.A.T.” Patricio Pitbull (35-7) will defend his Featherweight title for a ninth time when he meets Canada’s Jeremy Kennedy (19-3) in the co-main event. Pitbull, one of the most decorated fighters in MMA, conquered two weight classes simultaneously and holds the most wins in Bellator history.

Ireland’s James Gallagher (12-2) has a new opponent for the inaugural Bellator Champions Series event, Brazil’s Leandro Higo (22-6). Gallagher and Higo were originally slated to face off in 2023. Additionally two preliminary bouts have been announced to round out the card. Two unbeaten Middleweights square off when England’s Steven Hill (7-0) meets Jordan Newman (6-0) and in a Light Heavyweight contest Luke “The Gent” Trainer (7-1) faces Grant Neal (9-1). 

The debut Bellator Champions Series Belfast event on March 22 is anchored by a battle for the vacant Bellator Light Heavyweight World Championship pitting former title challenger Corey Anderson (17-6, 1 NC) against Northern Ireland’s Karl Moore (12-2). The card can be seen live in Europe on DAZN beginning at 5 pm GMT / 12 pm ET, additional distribution information including a U.S. broadcast partner will be announced soon.

Patricio Pitbull vs. Jeremy Kennedy

Patricio Pitbull will put his belt on the line when he takes on No. 1 contender and winner of six out of his last seven bouts, Jeremy Kennedy. Pitbull's massive presence in MMA is second to none, boasting a legacy that includes conquering two weight classes simultaneously and holding the most wins in Bellator history (23). Defeating stars of the sport, including former featherweight world champion AJ McKee and former lightweight world champion Michael Chandler, Pitbull aims to retain his stake in the Featherweight division against the wrestling standout. No slouch in his own right, the 31-year-old Kennedy has been victorious against the elite in the featherweight division, including Aaron Pico and Pedro Carvalho, and believes he has the experience and tools to dethrone his Brazilian foe in front of the Belfast crowd on March 22.

James Gallagher vs. Leandro Higo 

A grudge match two years in the making, Leandro Higo moves up to Featherweight to face Ireland’s James Gallagher in a main card matchup. Hailing from Mossocro, Brazil, Higo has proven to be a dangerous opponent for anyone in the bantamweight division with his unparalleled jiu-jitsu background, collecting 13 submission victories in his professional career. Also a highly touted submission ace, Gallagher returns to action on the heels of an impressive victory over James Gonzalez at Bellator 298. Once initially slated to face each other in March of 2023, Higo and Gallagher will now have the opportunity to settle their differences inside the Bellator cage. 

Completed Bellator Champions Series Belfast Main Card:
Light Heavyweight World Title Bout: Corey Anderson (17-6, 1 NC) vs. Karl Moore (12-2)
Featherweight World Title Bout: Patricio Pitbull (35-7) vs. Jeremy Kennedy (19-3)
Middleweight No. 1 Contender Bout: Fabian Edwards (12-3) vs. Aaron Jeffery (14-4)
Featherweight Main Card Bout: James Gallagher (12-2) vs. Leandro Higo (22-6)
Lightweight Main Card Bout: Tim Wilde (17-4-1) vs. Manoel Sousa (10-0)

Preliminary Card:
Bantamweight Preliminary Bout: Ciaran Clarke (8-0) vs. Darius Mafi (4-1)
Lightweight Preliminary Bout: Tofiq Musayev (21-5) Alfie Davis (16-4-1)
Middleweight Preliminary Bout: Steven Hill (7-0) vs. Jordan Newman (6-0)
Light Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Luke Trainer (7-1) vs. Grant Neal (9-1)
Featherweight Preliminary Bout: Nathan Kelly (9-2) vs.Vikas Singh Ruhil (12-7)
Heavyweight Preliminary Bout: Abraham Bably (3-0) vs. Isaiah Pinson (3-0)
Amateur 130-Pound Catchweight Bout: Nate Kelly (2-2 AM.) vs. Jordan Elliott (2-3 AM.)

Tickets for Bellator Champions Series Belfast are available now beginning at ticketmaster.ie. Doors for the event open at 4 pm local time, with the first preliminary bout taking place one hour later at 5 pm.

Prior to the Professional Fighter’s Leagues industry shaping acquisition of Bellator in November of 2023, Bellator held 301 events building a recognized worldwide roster of elite talent. In re-imagining Bellator the PFL will continue the commitment of investing in athletes from underserved regions while continuing to add global stars to the roster.

PFL is the only organization in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship each year. The combined roster of PFL and Bellator boasts 30% of its fighters independently world-ranked in the top 25 of their respective weight-class, the same percentage as UFC. PFL has an expansive global vision for the sport and is building the “Champions League of MMA” with PFL Europe, PFL MENA, and more international leagues in development. PFL leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage, powering fight analytics, real-time betting, AI scoring, and a next- generation viewing experience.

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a global powerhouse in MMA and the fastest-growing sports league worldwide. PFL has five live fight franchises, offering year-round content: PFL League Season, PFL PPV Super Fights, PFL Challenger Series, PFL International Leagues, and Bellator. Founded in 2018, PFL is backed by major blue-chip investors including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners. MMA is the growth sports business of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic, and true global revenue streams.

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