In a night filled with surprises and defining moments, Bellator 301 marked the end of an era as the Showtime chapter concluded in Chicago. The main event witnessed a spectacular upset as Jason Jackson capitalized on a lackluster performance from Yaroslav Amosov to secure a third-round TKO and claim the welterweight world championship.
Early in the bout, Jackson adeptly defended against Amosov’s takedown attempts while landing precise combinations. The relentless assault continued as Jackson thwarted Amosov’s persistent efforts to bring the fight to the ground. The turning point unfolded in the third round when a powerful right hand from Jackson left Amosov staggering and eventually face-planted on the canvas. The referee intervened at the 2:08 mark of Round 3, halting Amosov’s previously unblemished record at 27-1.
Showtime Era Finale: Jason Jackson Spectacular Upset Shakes Bellator 301
In the aftermath of his victory, an elated Jackson expressed, “This feels like a dream, and I woke up and I still feel like I’m dreaming. I can’t believe it. Remember this, every man has a dream and every man has a nightmare, and that’s me. I’m a nightmare… I highly believe in these hands, I’ve been working them for a while.”
Notably, Amosov failed to execute any of his 13 takedown attempts, a pivotal factor in Jackson’s triumph as a +400 underdog. With this victory, Jackson extends his winning streak to seven, showcasing victories over prominent names like Amosov, Douglas Lima, Paul Daley, Neiman Gracie, and Benson Henderson.
Patchy Mix’s Bantamweight Mastery Illuminate Bellator 301
In the co-main event, Patchy Mix achieved a career milestone by unifying his interim bantamweight championship with the world title, submitting Sergio Pettis in the second round. Mix, having secured the interim title with a knockout of Raufeon Stots in the Bantamweight World Grand Prix finals, displayed dominance against Pettis, who withdrew from the Grand Prix due to injury.
The opening round saw Mix utilizing his elite grappling skills to control the fight on the ground. Despite being unable to secure a definitive position before the bell, Round 2 showcased Mix’s prowess as he swiftly took the fight to the floor, securing back control and forcing a tap at the 1:51 mark.
Mix, now the undisputed champion at 135 pounds, confidently asserted in his post-fight interview, “It doesn’t matter, man. I’m the best in the world. 135, I’m the best in the world. It doesn’t matter if you sent King Kong in here tonight, I was going to whip his ass.” With the world title around his waist, Mix stands as one of the premier contenders in the bantamweight division, welcoming any challenge that comes his way.
