Magomedov loses to Meeks in Bellator title fight

Russian fighter Magomed Magomedov was unable to get a rematch with current Bellator lightweight champion Patrick “Patchy” Meeks, losing to the American in a hard-fought contest at the Bellator Champions Series event in Paris.

The title fight, headlining the organization’s French event, went the full distance and ended in a controversial split decision victory for Meeks by scores of 48-47 twice and 46-49.

The Russian, who according to one of the judges won four rounds out of five, managed to shake the champion several times with his left jab and also caused him some problems with his right front kick, which he used throughout the fight to work his opponent’s body.

Meeks had two guillotine choke attempts, one of which was truly dangerous, and worked effectively with the jab, which was his only effective weapon against Magomedov in the clinch.

In the end, the audience in the hall expressed their disagreement with the referee’s verdict, meeting it with a disgruntled roar.

In the co-main event, former Glory champion Cedric Dumbe made a successful debut for the organization, defeating Jahlil Willis by first-round TKO before receiving an immediate challenge from former UFC champion Anthony Pettis, who stepped into the cage for a staredown battle with the Frenchman.

In the third main event of the tournament, Dutch middleweight Costello van Steenis finished Frenchman Gregory Babin by shoulder choke in the second round in a potential contender’s bout.

All results from Bellator Champions Series Paris.

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