BELLATOR 301 PRESS CONFERENCE & WEIGH-IN VIDEO
WATCH OFFICIAL INTERVIEW VIDEOS HERE
VIEW ALL PHOTOS — PLEASE CREDIT “LUCAS NOONAN | BELLATOR MMA”
CHICAGO — Ahead of Friday night’s electric BELLATOR 301: Amosov vs. Jackson event at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, “Big” John McCarthy, Josh Thomson, and the athletes competing on the SHOWTIME-televised main card spoke with the media.
The monumental BELLATOR 301 main card will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Preliminary card action is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET on BELLATOR’s YouTube and Pluto TV channels. Tickets for the massive spectacle that is BELLATOR 301 are on sale now. More ticketing information can be found at Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com.
In the evening’s main event, undefeated welterweight kingpin Yaroslav Amosov (27-0) steps back into the BELLATOR cage for the second time in 2023 when he squares off against Jamaica’s fighting pride and No. 2-ranked contender Jason Jackson (16-4). In the co-main event, arguably two of the most dynamic bantamweights in the world take center stage when incumbent champion Sergio Pettis (23-5) puts his belt on the line against interim bantamweight champion Patchy Mix (18-1) in a title unification bout.
Reigniting their feud from 2022, former interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots (19-2) will meet Danny Sabatello (14-3) in the Italian Gangster’s backyard of Chicago. BELLATOR homegrown superstar and former featherweight champion AJ McKee (20-1) will make his first appearance in 2023 when he takes on top-five ranked lightweight Sidney Outlaw (17-5). Kicking off the action for the main card will be a semifinal matchup in the Lightweight World Grand Prix featuring former lightweight champion and knockout king Patricky Pitbull (25-11) colliding with striking ace Alexander Shabliy (23-3).
Here is what the BELLATOR 301 main card competitors had to say:
Yaroslav Amosov – BELLATOR Welterweight World Champion
On if his perfect record adds any more pressure “For me, it doesn’t matter. I want to fight everyone so being 27-0 is of course great but I just want to fight. If you are a fighter, you must win every fight. When I go to the cage, I want to win.”
On Logan Storley “Of course, they are in the same team, but they are different fighters. Maybe he gave him some advice, but I don’t know. I am a fighter and I have a plan. So, this fight is different to me than my last one.”
On training away from his family “This camp they came with me. Not all camp but I live in the gym sometimes. It was nice having them there since my son is my biggest motivation. My family for me is number one. The situation in my country has shown me what is most important. All that is important is family and friends.”
“I am number one. I know Jason Jackson thinks he is number one. If you are a fighter, you must believe you are the best.”
On how his home country keeps him motivated “It’s my motivation. My family and my country. I want to show the Ukrainian people the flag and make them proud. I think about the situation in Ukraine every time, but it keeps me motivated. I might be training and think this is hard, but I think about my people in Ukraine and realize it is not hard. I have so much respect for the people in my country.”
Jason Jackson – No. 2-ranked BELLATOR Welterweight
“It means the world to me to face a competitor like Amosov. He’s a professional and he goes about business the right way. I can’t wait to get in there and mix it up with him.”
On if his teammate Logan Storley helped him prepare “Logan told me everything. He left nothing out. I have been studying Amosov for years because I have always wanted to fight him since he is the best in the division. If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.
On balancing a full-time job with his training schedule “I don’t think, I just move. I just know there are jobs that need to be done so I treat this like any job. I go in there and do my best. I just have to go out there and be myself. I can’t overthink it and let things flow.”
“If I say Amosov is the best, it is going to motivate me to go out there and beat the best. He is 27-0 so I can’t be too arrogant. But if I go in there and beat him, I truly become the best.”
“I’m bringing the belt back to Kill Cliff FC. It means so much. I fight for my family and my people just as he is.”
Sergio Pettis – BELLATOR Bantamweight World Champion
On what he expects Friday night “We’re going to have to see. You guys have seen this past year, Mix has been submitting and knocking people out. You guys are in for a treat Friday night. This is my toughest test to date. I bring a lot of different looks each time. You guys see that I get better and better every time I go out there. I am a hungry individual and a hungry martial artist and this matchup will bring the best Sergio Pettis you’ve seen.”
“I just want to be an example for everyone who is a late bloomer. I feel like I am a late bloomer, and it took me time to really develop my game, my skill, and my confidence. Growing up I was not a confident individual and had a lot of anxiety. With that, I was also under my brother’s shadow but in those dark times I was able to learn who I am.”
On his nerves going into this fight “It comes with every fight. Every fight is a challenge. I have been thinking about this man every day for the past five months. Getting a little sick of it.”
Patchy Mix – BELLATOR Interim Bantamweight World Champion
“After the past three performances, I go back and always evolve and add new things to my game. I am more confident now than ever. Ever since I knocked out Stots in April, I have just been in the gym nonstop training. Knowing I was going to fight either Sergio or Patricio kept me extremely motivated so now that I have this in front of me, I am ready. This is a big name with a big opportunity, so I am only concerned for this fight. As far as I am concerned, I am 0-0 and after Friday I will be 1-0.”
“I think my fight with Juan Archuleta put me in this position now. I think I am a lot better and a lot more dedicated now. It created lots of new opportunities for me like winning one million dollars. Had I not lost that fight I don’t think I would be as prepared for those opportunities.”
On if defeating Stots gives him confidence going into this bout “No more confidence at all. I believe Pettis and Stots are completely different fighters. I believe Stots is a wrestler who likes to strike but when he gets hit, he resorts back to wrestling. I believe Pettis is a crafty striker and dangerous everywhere.”
Raufeon Stots – No. 2-ranked BELLATOR Bantamweight
“It’s pretty funny that it’s his hometown but I think I’m going to get a bigger pop from the crowd than him. I believe everyone in your hometown hates you. It’s funny you mention Patchy and me because in your last fight, you tapped like a bitch and ran out like one when you fought me the last time. It’s going to be 2-0 Stots come Friday night.”
On Sabatello’s wrestling success in their last bout “He did take me down, so I had to address it and go back to the drawing board. I grabbed some kid wrestlers so I could get used to the style of fighting he brings. I just got back to the basics. He got four out of 19 takedowns, so he wasn’t successful. He got four but couldn’t do any damage. I got one takedown and tried for two so technically I was more successful in the wrestling aspect. With my one takedown, I did way more damage than his four. His yellow hair was red by the end of the fight.”
Danny Sabatello – No. 6-ranked BELLATOR Bantamweight
“I don’t feel pressure at all. I did win the last fight with Raufeon but now we are in my backyard of Chicago. It’s going to be different now. It’s a dream matchup. When BELLATOR gave me the call about this fight I was surprised that he was awake after Patchy Mix knocked him out. But since he was awake, I took the fight. It’s really good because we hate each other. He hates me because I’m ridiculously good-looking. We will figure it out Friday night at the Wintrust Arena.”
On what changes he will make this fight “This fight, I am going to have much more volume compared to last fight. Everyone knows I dominated this guy last fight, and I am going to do the same this fight. You look at the betting odds for this fight and you will see that I am the favorite. As I said, there will be more volume. I will be kicking, punching, and elbowing him the whole fight. I do see myself finishing this fight this time around.”
AJ McKee – No. 6-ranked BELLATOR Lightweight
“It is just an honor to be back in the cage. It has almost been a year so being consistent has been key. Hopefully, I can get back into the tournament myself. Nothing has changed on my end though; I am still the Mercenary and I still take people out.”
On what he expects from Outlaw “Watching his fight with (Adam) Piccolotti, he scrambles so I have been working a lot on my wrestling for this fight.”
“Sidney and I were supposed to be in the tournament, so I believe God has a plan for me. If I have to go through everyone to get the belt, I will. I don’t believe Brent Primus should be in the finals so put me in.”
On how he stayed focused this past year “I just stay hungry; it’s almost been a year layoff but I have stayed grinding. Being at 155 lbs I plan to make a statement to the rest of the division. My plan is to become world champion again. I deserve a belt with my name on it.”
“This will be business as usual. I don’t really get nervous. The walk to the cage makes me a little nervous but once I get in that cage all butterflies are gone and I am focused on the task at hand.”
Sidney Outlaw – No. 5-ranked BELLATOR Lightweight
“I am really blessed to be here. There are a lot of things I have been through. As far as this fight, it’s another dangerous fighter I need to take on. I have overcome many hardships so when I get in there, I’m going to make it another great fight so I am excited. We are both monsters.”
“I’m fighting some of the best lightweight on the face of the planet. It doesn’t make any difference; this Friday I am going to be fighting one of the best fighters in the world. Whatever he gives me I am going to take advantage of, and I am sure he will do the same.”
On the possibility of rejoining the Lightweight World Grand Prix “AJ already won a million dollars so it’s my chance to win a million dollars.”
Patricky Pitbull – No. 1-ranked BELLATOR Lightweight
On his last victory against Roberto De Souza “Another nickname of mine is the King of Knockouts. I’m a black belt in jiu-jitsu but I love to strike. I could have gone to the ground with (Roberto) De Souza but my striking overpowered him.”
On his fight against Tofiq Musayev “That doesn’t matter, I will fight my style which is the Pitbull style. I love to fight and that’s what I will do Friday night.”
“For me, this fight is for the title. It doesn’t matter if the belt isn’t there. The rules are the rules. If he (Usman Nurmagomedov) tested positive for banned substances, then he should relinquish the belt. That’s my opinion.”
On his confidence in his preparation and his team “Of course I am ready. I have the best team in the world full of world champions. I trained with this team for more than ten years and I believe in my wrestling, my striking, and my team. I am prepared to go for the belt.”
“I can finish this fight in the first round of this fight. Even if I am tired, my hands will still have power.”
Alexander Shabliy – No. 2-ranked BELLATOR Lightweight
On his victory over Tofiq Musayev “It was a great game plan against Tofiq Musayev and I executed it. I plan to do the same to Patricky Pitbull. I have an amazing game plan for this amazing matchup. I don’t think there was any controversy in my last fight because when I hit him in his rib cage, I felt how powerful it was. The fight could have continued but I did not want to hurt him even more.”
On his plans to wrestle Patricky Pitbull “No matter who my next opponent is, I always work on my wrestling. It’s always included in my routine and this fight is no different.”
On if this is his toughest opponent to date “I already had one great one with a former champion in Brent Primus and I stopped him and against Patricky, I hope to stop him as well.”
“I also believe this is the championship fight for the lightweight division. Primus lost and Nurmagomedov tested positive, this is now the lightweight championship.”
“You have to give credit where credit is due. When I was getting started, I used to watch the Pitbull fights all the time. The Pitbull family have accomplished a lot, but I have fought the best of the best, so I am more than prepared. With a victory over a Pitbull brother will mean a lot.”
ALL FIGHTERS WEIGH-IN AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S BLOCKBUSTER BELLATOR 301 EVENT IN CHICAGO
WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP BETWEEN TITLEHOLDER YAROSLAV AMOSOV, NO. 2-RANKED CHALLENGER JASON JACKSON AND BANTAMWEIGHT UNIFICATION BOUT OF CHAMPION SERGIO PETTIS VERSUS INTERIM CHAMPION PATCHY MIX OFFICIAL
OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN PHOTOS (PLEASE CREDIT: BELLATOR MMA/LUCAS NOONAN)
CHICAGO – Tomorrow night’s monumental BELLATOR 301: Amosov vs. Jackson at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, including both highly anticipated title fights, is official following today’s weigh-ins.
All BELLATOR 301’s competitors weighed-in ahead of BELLATOR’s return to The Windy City tomorrow, Friday, November 17. BELLATOR 301: Amosov vs. Jackson will air live on SHOWTIME beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Preliminary card action is set to begin at 5 p.m. ET on BELLATOR’s YouTube and Pluto TV channels. Tickets for the massive spectacle that is BELLATOR 301 are on sale now. More ticketing information can be found at Bellator.com and Ticketmaster.com.
In the evening’s main event, undefeated welterweight kingpin Yaroslav Amosov (27-0) steps back into the BELLATOR cage for the second time in 2023 when he squares off against Jamaica’s fighting pride and No. 2-ranked contender Jason Jackson (16-4). In the co-main event, arguably two of the most dynamic bantamweights in the world take center stage when incumbent champion Sergio Pettis (23-5) puts his belt on the line against interim bantamweight champion Patchy Mix (18-1) in a title unification bout.
Reigniting their feud from 2022, former interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots (19-2) will meet Danny Sabatello (14-3) in the Italian Gangster’s backyard of Chicago. BELLATOR homegrown superstar and former featherweight champion AJ McKee (20-1) will make his first appearance in 2023 when he takes on top-five ranked lightweight Sidney Outlaw (17-5). Kicking off the action for the main card will be a semifinal matchup in the Lightweight World Grand Prix featuring former lightweight champion and knockout king Patricky Pitbull (25-11) colliding with striking ace Alexander Shabliy (23-3).
Full weigh-in results are below
BELLATOR 301 Main Card:
Friday, November 17 – Live on SHOWTIME
Wintrust Arena in Chicago
9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT
Welterweight World Title Bout: C-Yaroslav Amosov (169.6) vs. #2-Jason Jackson (169.6)
Bantamweight World Title Unification Main Event: C-Sergio Pettis (135) vs. IC-Patchy Mix (135)
Bantamweight Main Card Bout: #2-Raufeon Stots (135.8) vs. #6-Danny Sabatello (135.8)
Lightweight Bout: #6-AJ McKee (155.6) vs. #5-Sidney Outlaw (156)
Lightweight World Grand Prix Semi-Final: #1-Patricky Pitbull (154.4) vs. #2-Alexander Shabliy (155)
BELLATOR 301 Preliminary Card:
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV
5 p.m. ET/4 p.m. CT/2 p.m. PT
Heavyweight Bout: #6-Tyrell Fortune (247) vs. #7-Marcelo Golm (260.4)
Flyweight Bout: #5-Sumiko Inaba (125.2) vs. #6-Denise Kielholtz (124)
Featherweight Bout: #6-Timur Khizriev (146) vs. #7-Justin Gonzales (145.4)
Lightweight Bout: #10-Archie Colgan (155.4) vs. Pieter Buist (155.6)
Flyweight Bout: Keri Taylor Melendez (126.6*) vs. Sabriye Sengul (125.6)
Bantamweight Bout: Matheus Mattos (135.2) vs. Richard Palencia (136)
Lightweight Bout: Mike Hamel (155.8) vs. Tim Wilde (156)
160-Pound Contract Weight Bout: Islam Mamedov (159.4) vs. Killys Mota (160)
Featherweight Bout: Cody Law (145.4) vs. Jefferson Pontes (145.6)
Welterweight Bout: Ramazan Kuramagomedov (171) vs. Randall Wallace (170.4)
Featherweight Bout: Yves Landu (145.4) vs. Isao Kobayashi (145.2)
*Denotes fighter missed weight
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