Bellator 286 is primed and ready to go down later tonight (Sat, Oct. 1, 2022) at the Long Beach Arena in Long Beach, California, which will be spearheaded by an intriguing featherweight title fight as defending champion Patricio Pitbull smashes his belt against the fighter No. 1 in the division, Adam Borics. In further promotions, AJ McKee will make his Lightweight debut to take on former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) contender Spike Carlyle.
Many readers stop by before, during, and after the fights to share their thoughts on all the action that’s about to begin 7 p.m. ET with YouTube “Prelims” and then switch to Showtime 10 p.m. ET for the main card action. Feel free to comment (or 286) on the fights and chat with all the other maniacs during the show – it’s always a lot of fun!
Bellator 286 Fast results:
145 lbs.: Champion Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics
155 lbs.: AJ McKee vs. Spike Carlyle
145 lbs.: Aaron Pico vs. Jeremy Kennedy – Kennedy via first-round TKO, shoulder injury
135 lbs.: Juan Archuleta vs. Enrique Barzola – Archuleta by unanimous decision
135 lbs.: Bobby Seronio vs. Miguel Peimbert – Seronio by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: Nick Brown vs. Islam Mamedov – Mamedov by unanimous decision
155 lbs.: JayJay Wilson vs. Vladimir Tokov – Wilson by split decision
185 lbs.: Khadzhimurat Bestaev vs. Khalid Murtazaliev – Murtzazaliev wins by second round TKO
125 lbs.: Sumiko Inaba vs. Nadine Mandiau – Inaba via unanimous decision
145 lbs.: Weber Almeida vs. Ryan Lilley – Almeida via split decision
155 lbs.: Lance Gibson Jr. vs. Dominic Clark – Gibson on first round submission (triangle choke)
135 lbs.: Richard Palencia vs. Cee Jay Hamilton – Hamilton via second round TKO, leg injury (HIGHLIGHTS)
155 lbs.: Keoni Diggs vs. Ricardo Seixas
Bellator 286 Play-by-Play:
champion Patricio Pitbull vs. Adam Borics
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
end result:
AJ McKee vs. Spike Carlyle
Round 1: Carlyle comes in quickly with a flying knee and both men swing for the fences. They rock each other and McKee drops Carlyle with a nice right hand. What a pace up, open things up! No spying. McKee takes his back. Spike with nice right hand. He changes positions and is now in supreme control. Halfguard for The Alpha Ginger. Secondary check for Carlylye and McKee looking for an escape route. Carlyle looks really strong and McKee gets the reversal. You’re back on your feet. Great action and pace in the first four minutes. McKee switches to full mount and Carlyle gives up his back and McKee looks for the rear naked choke. Carlyle gets busted at the end of the round. What a great first five minutes of the fight. a tight one. 10-9 McKee
Round 2:
Round 3:
end result:
Aaron Pico vs. Jeremy Kennedy
Round 1: Pico comes in quickly and lands a double combo that stuns Kennedy. He shakes off the cobwebs. It’s Kennedy who shoots in for a takedown and retrieves Pico. Kennedy grabs Pico by the cage and lands some kicks. Pico appears to have injured his shoulder, it seemed like he was trying to put it back in position. Kennedy gets Pico on one knee and lands a few knees to the side of Pico’s head and he takes him to the mat. Pico keeps touching his shoulder, it’s obviously hurt. Kennedy doesn’t let go of Pico and he pulls up behind him. He’s looking for a rear naked choke here. Kennedy is now throwing some elbows on that injured shoulder. Side shots to Kennedy’s head. Kennedy is still holding Pico’s back. Kennedy tries to finish it in the first but it looks like Pico will survive. Now about that shoulder. 10-9 Kennedy.
Pico’s corner tried hard to get his shoulder back in place between rounds and he comes out for the second round, but it remains to be seen for how long. Just before the action began, the referee called the doctor, who would not let Pico continue despite his pleas. What an unfortunate ending for Pico and for Kennedy.
Bottom line: Kennedy defeated. Pico via first-round TKO (shoulder injury)
Juan Archuleta vs. Enrique Barzola
Round 1: Archuleta beats Barzola with a huge right hand in the opening seconds. Archuleta follows with a nice one-two that shakes Barzola, who is trying to shake the cobwebs early. Nice body shot for Archuleta and Barzola can’t parry an offense here. A three hit combo by Archuleta. “The Spaniard” goes in and gets a takedown. He takes Barzola’s back, kicking down to be safe. Low kick and then a right hand marks Barzola right on the kisser. The left hook connects for Archuleta, who uses great footwork to get his spots. Barzola switches levels and gets a takedown. Side controls for Barzola, now in north-south position. Barzola takes Archuleta’s back and “The Spaniard” is now in defense mode. Action back to feet, Barzola looks for another takedown and he gets it. Fast pace in the opening lap. Archuleta escapes and he kicks Barzola in the arm while he’s prone. 10-9 Archuleta
Round 2: Both men swing, nothing really connects. Barzola wants another takedown, but it’s stuff. Archuleta shoots now and he gets the takedown but Barzola is back on his feet with the speed. Nice left hook landings for Barzola. Archuleta shoots the single and gets the takedown again. Barzola hits the side of the head with an elbow and the referee steps in to warn him. Seems to have the back of the head bandaged. Barzola manages to get up and escape, and is now attempting to trip Archuleta. Nice uppercut from Barzola, Archuleta shoots in for another takedown and is stuffed. Archuleta is still working on it and he’s getting it, but only for a bit when Barzola gets back on his feet and reverses position against the cage. This one was close. 10-9 Archuleta
Round 3: Archuleta hits Barzola with a short right hand that appears to have briefly shaken him. Hick kick from Barzola, Archuleta shrugs him off and he shoots and scores another takedown. Action against the cage briefly before Archuleta sweeps his opponent’s legs and takes him to the mat. Archuleta has to get back to work here with 0:2. Uppercut just missed for Archuleta. Nice footwork from Archuleta to avoid the big beasts. Archuleta shoots in for another takedown, but his opponent stops. Nice scramble on the ground before they get back on their feet. The right hand smacks Barzola in the face and Barzola fights with a little more haste now that there is only 90 seconds left of the fight. Archuleta elbows Barzola in the side of the head and escapes before Barzola manages to grab him and drag him to the mat. Barzola has the hooks in and looks for a Hail Mary rear-naked choke. Archuleta defends well but Barzola doesn’t give up. Archuleta stands up, takes Barzola’s back and lands an uppercut on the split to end the round. 10-9 Barzola
Final result: Archuleta def. Barzola by unanimous decision
For more Bellator MMA news and guidance, check out our comprehensive archive to the right here.