Bellator 300 will feature Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann as the promotion heads to San Diego. The special event is set for October 7 from the Pechanga Arena with several championship matches to headline.
Bellator 300: Sara McMann Among Those Set For Prelims
With the main card set, Bellator officials have gone to work on the prelims for Bellator 300.
The event takes place October 7 from the Pechanga Resort in San Diego, airing live on Showtime and streaming online.
Usman Nurmagomedov defends his lightweight title against Brent Primus, Cris Cyborg faces Cat Zingano for her featherweight belt, Ryan Bader meets Linton Vassell for the heavyweight crown and Liz Carmouche defends vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at flyweight.
The prelims will see McMann battle Leah McCourt in a key featherweight matchup of Top-5 ranked fighters. Also, Davion Franklin fights Slim Trabelsi, Henry Corrales faces Kai Kamaka III, Ilara Joanne battles Jena Bishop and Bobby Seronio III fights Alberto Garcia.
Here is a closer look at the new matchups:
#9-Davion Franklin vs. Slim Trabelsi – Heavyweight Bout
No. 9-ranked heavyweight contender Davion Franklin will look to continue his momentum after his impressive performance last April when he out struck Kasim Aras at BELLATOR 295. Kicking off his career with a blistering five-fight winning streak, Franklin is ready to continue his rise to the top of the heavyweight division.At BELLATOR 300, the seven-fight BELLATOR homegrown talent will welcome American Kickboxing Academy’s undefeated knockout artist Slim Trabelsi to the promotion in an accelerating heavyweight clash. Although boasting three knockouts in five fights, the high-profile signee qualified for wrestling in the Olympic Games in 2016 and strives to make a statement in his highly anticipated promotional debut.
#2-Sara McMann vs. #5-Leah McCourt – Featherweight Bout
Despite being a world-renowned wrestler, at BELLATOR 294 Sara McMannwent toe-to-toe against women’s featherweight brawler and former three-time title challenger Arlene Blencowe in an instant classic bout last April in Honolulu, Hawaii. Looking to pick up her second win in her second BELLATOR outing, the Olympic Games silver medalist squares off against Ireland’s Leah McCourt, who is eager to reinsert herself back into title contention after a razor-thin decision defeat against title challenger Cat Zingano at BELLATOR 293. Victorious against Dayana Silva, Janay Harding, and other high-level featherweights, McCourt will aim to add another marquee name to her already impressive resume at BELLATOR 300. With the title of their division on the line the same evening, this decisive bout promises to deliver an exciting matchup at the Pechanga Arena.
#10-Henry Corrales vs. Kai Kamaka III – Featherweight Bout
Having competed 15 times under the BELLATOR banner since his debut in 2015, 37-year-old Henry Corraleshas become a mainstay within the featherweight division. On the heels of a dominant performance last February at the historic BELLATOR 290 giving Akhmed Magomedov his first loss, the heavy-handed veteran will meet Hawaii’s Kai Kamaka III in an electric matchup. Originally slated to face Akhmed Magomedov at BELLATOR 298, Kamaka reenters the fray after putting on a striking masterclass against Adli Edwards in front of his home state of Hawaii at BELLATOR 295. With victories over the likes of Aaron Pico and Georgi Karakhanyan, Corrales believes his experience will be too overwhelming for the young Kamaka.
#10-Ilara Joanne vs. Jena Bishop – Flyweight Bout
Joining BELLATOR 300’s San Diego residents Liz Carmouche, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, and Cat Zingano, highly decorated grappler Jena Bishop will step into the BELLATOR cage for the second time against the dynamic No. 10-ranked Ilara Joanne in a women’s flyweight affair. A BJJ black belt under JW Wright, the multiple time IBJJF world champion hopes to impose her will against her toughest test to date on home turf, meanwhile the inclined Joanne will look to defend her top 10 ranking within the flyweight division.
Bobby Seronio III vs. Alberto Garcia – Bantamweight Bout
Hailing from Vallejo, Calif., Bobby Seronio III will make his first appearance in 2023 against promotional newcomer, Alberto Garcia in a bout featuring two promising prospects. Originally scheduled to face each other at BELLATOR 292 last March, both competitors are eager to return to action in front of the rowdy San Diego crowd.
Bellator 300
BELLATOR 300 Main Card:
Saturday, October 7 – Live on SHOWTIME
Pechanga Arena in San Diego, CA
10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT
Lightweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Usman Nurmagomedov (17-0) vs. #4-Brent Primus (12-3)
Featherweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Cris Cyborg (26-2, 1 NC) vs. #1-Cat Zingano (14-4)
Heavyweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Ryan Bader (31-7, 1 NC) vs. #1-Linton Vassell (23-8, 1 NC)
Flyweight World Title Quadruple Main Event: C-Liz Carmouche (19-7) vs. #2-Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (13-2)
BELLATOR 300 Preliminary Card:
BELLATOR MMA YouTube channel | SHOWTIME Sports YouTube channel | Pluto TV
Heavyweight Bout: #9-Davion Franklin (6-1) vs. Slim Trabelsi (5-0)
Featherweight Bout: #2-Sara McMann (14-6) vs. #5-Leah McCourt (7-3)
Featherweight Bout: #10-Henry Corrales (21-6) vs. Kai Kamaka III (11-5-1)
Flyweight Bout: #10-Ilara Joanne (11-7) vs. Jena Bishop (5-0)
Bantamweight Bout: Bobby Seronio III (3-0) vs. Alberto Garcia (2-0)
