Leah McCourt has been a strong grappler from a young age, earning black belts in both judo and jiu-jitsu, as well as becoming a Junior National Judo Champion and an IBJJF World Champion. McCourt impressed on the amateur circuit with a 6-1 record and has carried that momentum to an 8-3 pro record thus far. McCourt, who also has a win over Manon Fiorot outside of Bellator, is 7-2 in Bellator, most recently stopping Sara McMann at Bellator 300 last year.

 

Sara Collins, who made her professional MMA debut in late 2019, is 5-0 in professional MMA thus far. Collins is a judo black belt who started training in the sport at 10, going on to be a member of the Australian National Judo Team for 10 years. Collins 2-0 in Bellator thus far, submitting Pam Sorensen at Bellator 293 and earning a split decision over Sinead Kavanagh at Bellator 299.

 

Who will earn a potential future title shot opportunity at Cris Cyborg and the Bellator women’s featherweight championship?

 

 

Round 1

 

Low kick from McCourt. Low kick from Collins. McCourt goes for another, but Collins gets her off balance. McCourt goes to the ground briefly and lands an upkick. Right hand from Collins back on the feet. Small exchange inside. McCourt with a long jab. Low kick from Collins. Collins with a SOLID RIGHT that drops McCourt! Collins gets on her with ground-and-pound! Collins pins an arm! McCourt eating big shots! McCourt staying in this somehow! Collins looking to tie the arm back up. Collins isolating an arm and stepping over the back! Collins under the neck and looking for a choke! She scores the tap!

 

 

Sara Collins pulls off the upset with a first-round submission!

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Sara Collins defeats Leah McCourt by 1st round Rear-Naked Choke submission (2:25) in a Women’s Featherweight #1 Contender Fight