Bellator Champions Series: London took place Saturday, and MMA Junkie provided live play-by-play and official results throughout the card. Bellator Champions Series: London (Max) took place at OVO Wembley.
In the main event, Leah McCourt (8-4) was stunned by undefeated Sara Collins (6-0) in a women’s featherweight bout. Collins dropped and submitted McCourt in the first round to earn No. 1 contender status.
In the co-feature at light heavyweight, one-loss Simeon Powell (10-1) squeaked by Rafael Xavier (13-8) with a competitive split decision.
Check out round-by-round updates and official results for all nine fights from the event below.
Full Bellator Champions Series: London results
- Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:25
- Simeon Powell def. Rafael Xavier via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Luke Trainer def. Laurynas Urbonavicius via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:15
- Marc Diakiese def. Tim Wilde via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Archie Colgan def. Manoel Sousa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Mike Shipman def. Eslam Abdul Baset via TKO (knee and punches) – Round 2, 2:32
- Joseph Luciano def. Steven Hill via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 1:22
- Ciaran Clarke def. Tuomas Grönvall via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Darragh Kelly def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins
Round 1 – McCourt lands a nice leg kick to start. Collins catches a kick and pushes McCourt to the ground, but doesn’t follow to the mat. McCourt resets and they continue the striking battle. Bang! Collins cracks and drops McCourt with a huge right hand! Collins swarms with punches to get the finish, but McCourt survives the storm. Collins takes the back as McCourt tries to scramble to her feet. A rear-naked choke is locked in now and McCourt taps! Wow!
SARA DROPS MCCOURT IN THE FIRST! 😳#BellatorLondon | LIVE NOW on DAZN & MAX pic.twitter.com/IHMi7uRFpL
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
IT'S ALL OVER! 😳
Sara Collins stops Leah McCourt in the first via RNC!
What a performance! 👏#BellatorLondon | LIVE NOW on DAZN & MAX pic.twitter.com/b9UCOHCCNd
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
Result: Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:25
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: McCourt (8-4), Collins (6-0)
Division: Featherweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Simeon Powell vs. Rafael Xavier
Round 1 – They touch gloves and Powell opens with a hard calf kick. Xavier fires one off in response. They exchange more low kicks. Xavier digs in a hard one that takes Powell off his feet. Powell quickly resets. Woah! Xavier lands a crushing front kick that drops Powell down to a knee! Shades of Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Befort! Xavier rushes in but Powell pops up and clinches. Back in the center now, Powell lands a couple of left hands. He shoots in for a takedown now, but the result is a clinch along the fence. They separate and get back to the striking game. Powell rips a left to the body and follows up with more punches. Another calf kick from Xavier takes Powell off his feet. Powell gets right back up again. Bang! Right at the bell Xavier floors Powell with a big counter left! Powell gets up and returns to his corner for the break.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-8 for Xavier.
Round 2 – Powell appears to have recovered between rounds, and comes out putting the pressure on Xavier. A nice combo of punches land for Powell. They start exchanging punches. A calf kick from Xavier takes Powell off balance, allowing a couple of additional punches to get in clean. Powell resets and comes back in for a clinch. Midway through the round now. Powell lands a solid right on the exit. A calf kick from Xavier prompts an exchange upstairs. Xavier sells out for a slick outside trip, but falls to the mat as Powell steps away. They both offer head kicks in the closing seconds, but neither land clean.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Powell.
Round 3 – They touch up one last time, and both begin by offering a single strike at a time. Powell puts together a nice 1-2. Xavier pressures from the center, and connects with a head kick as Powell circles. They trade punches upstairs. Powell is lighter on his feet as he circles while sticking with a left hand. Xavier answers with a punch. Powell shoots in, but Xavier defends it, forcing a clinch. Powell looks for the trip takedown, but Xavier beautifully defends and escapes. Xavier smiles after landing a punch. Less than a minute to go. Xavier continues to stalk forward. Powell loads up but misses a big right hand before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Powell, scoring the fight a draw at 28-28.
Result: Simeon Powell def. Rafael Xavier via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Powell (10-1), Xavier (13-8)
Division: Light Heavyweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Luke Trainer vs. Laurynas Urbonavicius
Round 1 – They touch ’em up, and Urbonavicius opens with a pair of calf kicks. Trainer answers with one of his own, and lands a couple of punches after. Urbonavicius goes to the calf kick again. Trainer blitzes with punches into a cage clinch. Trainer works for single leg, then a trip, but Urbonavicius keeps things standing. Bang! Trainer floors Urbonavicius with a left hand on the exit! Trainer closes in to take top position. Urbonavicius is still in it and keeps Trainer wrapped from the bottom, but he gives up his back as he tries to escape. Trainer punches as he looks for a choke. One minute left. Trainer keeps punching and then slaps on the choke. There it is! Urbonavicius taps!
FIRST ROUND RNC!
Luke Trainer submits Laurynas Urbonavicius in the first round to extend his win streak to four!#BellatorLondon | LIVE NOW on DAZN & MAX pic.twitter.com/nAzouf2BSR
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
Result: Luke Trainer def. Laurynas Urbonavicius via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:15
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Trainer (9-1), Urbonavicius (14-2)
Division: Light heavyweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Marc Diakiese vs. Tim Wilde
Round 1 – Diakiese gets to work with a few fast and powerful kicks. Wilde circles on the outside looking for an opening. Diakiese kicks to the body twice. Wilde lands a leg kick. Diakiese gets a bit wild (pun not intended) and takes himself off balance with a punch. Wilde lands a kick to the body. Diakiese takes himself off balance again, this time with a wheel kick attempt that misses. A front kick from Wilde goes low, pausing the fight momentarily. The fight resumes with Diakiese looking to land a variety of kicking techniques. A minute to go, and Diakiese punches to the body and threatens a takedown. After darting in and out of range, Diakiese commits to a takedown shot, lifts, and dumps Wilde to the mat.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Diakiese.
Round 2 – Both come out swinging punches, but neither connect. Diakiese offers a big looping kick, but misses. A kick to the body for Diakiese lands. He then changes levels for a well-timed takedown. Wilde gets to his feet against the cage, but Diakiese keeps the clinch. The mat return comes a few seconds later. Wilde tries a few strikes from bottom as Diakiese works to set up an arm triangle. Diakiese gets full mount for a second, and begins punching from the top. Wilde turns and attempts to stand. As he gets up to his feet, Diakiese drags him back down and lands more short punches and hammerfists until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Diakiese.
Round 3 – Diakiese comes out with a spinning kick technique that Wilde evades. Diakiese appears fatigued as he circles on the outside for the first time in the fight. Wilde looks for a spinning back kick, but misses. The level change from Diakiese gets stuffed. Wilde lands a solid right hand, causing Diakiese to back up. A solid kick to the body catches Diakiese off guard, causing him to drop to a knee, but he quickly bounces up. Another takedown attempt is denied by Wilde. A Superman punch offered by Wilde. Diakiese turns and runs to circle away from the charge. A telegraphed takedown from Diakiese is easily avoided. Wilde comes forward with strikes. A spinning back kick to the body from Wilde. A solid leg kick behind it. Diakiese clinches to slow things until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Wilde, but the fight goes to Diakiese, 29-28.
Result: Marc Diakiese def. Tim Wilde via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Diakiese (18-7), Wilde (17-6-1)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Bryan Miner
Archie Colgan vs. Manoel Sousa
Round 1 – They touch gloves and begin the feel out process as they circle around the cage. The crowd grows restless as only tentative jabs are offered. Sousa darts in with a punch to the body and Colgan answers with a right upstairs. Midway through the round and the action starts to heat up with a solid uppercut from Sousa. Darting in and out as Colgan doesn’t offer any offense, Sousa begins to taunt. There’s Colagan now, powering through with a big double leg takedown. Sousa gets to his feet, and Colgan lands a few knees in close before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Colgan.
Round 2 – Sousa comes forward with a few punches, putting pressure on Colgan. As Colgan answers with a right hook, he gets poked in the eye by Sousa, pausing the fight. On the restart, they get into a heated exchange of punches, with both landing. Sousa is loose and light on his feet, bouncing around as Colgan keeps his guard high. Midway through the round now and Colgan gets another big double leg. Sousa gets a kimura trap from the bottom, forcing Colgan to pay attention. Sousa scrambles to his feet, but finds himself lifted and dumped to the canvas a few seconds later. Colgan punches from the top until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Colgan.
Round 3 – Colgan lands a quick right hand as Sousa comes into range. Sousa pressures and lands a solid right of his own. They clinch in the center of the cage and trade short uppercuts. After the separation, Colgan changes levels to score another takedown. Back on the feet, they exchange punches with Sousa forcing the action. Under a minute to go. Sousa continues to come forward looking for punches and shucks off a couple of clinches from Colagan.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Sousa, but the fight goes to Colgan 29-28.
Result: Archie Colgan def. Manoel Sousa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Colgan (11-0), Sousa (11-1)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Eslam Syaha vs. Mike Shipman
Round 1 – Shipman comes right out of the gate with a big right hand! Syaha drops to a knee as he clinches. He sticks with a body lock, and forces Shipman into the cage. They wrestle for position, with Shipman getting the takedown and top half guard. Syaha does his best to keep Shipman wrapped up from the bottom. Shipman lands a couple of short punches as he tries to advance position. A slicing elbow opens a huge cut over Syaha’s right eye, and blood paints the canvas.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Shipman.
Round 2 – Shipman cracks with a big punch and then charges forward with a strong double leg takedown. Syaha gets up quickly, but Shipman adjusts his grips and gets him right back to the mat. Shipman looks for an anaconda choke as Syaha scrambles to his feet, but they end up back in the middle. Fatigue is apparent now. Syaha shoots in but gets caught with a huge knee to the face! Shipman swarms for the follow-up with punches! The referee closes in and stops the fight as Syaha flails around.
HUGE KNEE! 💥
Mike Shipman lands a massive knee and finishes Eslam Abdel Baset via TKO in the second round!#BellatorLondon | LIVE NOW on DAZN & MAX pic.twitter.com/ZNcwDmrOWH
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
Result: Mike Shipman def. Eslam Abdul Baset via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 2, 2:32
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Syaha (16-3), Shipman (17-4)
Division: Middleweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Steven Hill vs. Joseph Luciano
Round 1 – After sizing each other up, Hill gets an early takedown. Luciano returns to his feet quickly, but Hill keeps the body lock against the cage. Hill lifts and dumps Luicano back to the mat, but only for a second. They eventually separate from the clinch and begin engaging in striking exchanges in the center of the cage. Hill cracks with a big right hand, but Luciano answers. Luciano shoots in for a takedown after the 10-second clapper and doesn’t get it before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Hill.
Round 2 – Luciano comes out and gets a takedown to start. Hill gets up quickly and returns to the center. They both offer punches, and now Hill shoots in. Luicano counters with an anaconda choke threat. He keeps the squeeze as he backs Hill into the cage. He’s still squeezing tightly. Hill is in trouble and tries to climb up the fence! He goes to the mat and taps out!
ANACONDA CHOKE! 👀
Joseph Luciano submits Steven Hill in the second round with a nasty Anaconda choke!#BellatorLondon | LIVE NOW on DAZN & MAX pic.twitter.com/ph2o9NLHit
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
Result: Joseph Luciano def. Steven Hill via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 2, 1:22
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Hill (7-2), Luciano (10-2)
Division: Catchweight – 175 lbs.
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Bryan Miner
Ciaran Clarke vs. Tuomas Gronvall
Round 1 – Gronvall starts with a solid kick to the body. Clarke stalks forward and shoots in for a takedown. He gets it, and in the scramble, ends up high on the back of Gronvall as he tries to stand. Clarke gives up on it, but Gronvall holds to a side headlock and knees to the legs. Clarke gets free. Now Gronvall looks for single leg. The clinch stalls out and they get to trading punches in the center with a minute to go. Clarke looks for a takedown again and lands a few short strikes before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Clarke.
Round 2 – They exchange a few punches to start, then Gronvall completes a takedown. Clarke stays active from his back in guard, landing a few elbows to the head. Gronvall stands up, and gets another body lock as Clarke tries to scramble to his feet. Clarke works his way to a single leg attempt, but gets denied. The wrestling along the fence continues, and Clarke wraps himself on Gronvall’s back. He gets too high again and now Gronvall takes the back while standing. Clarke gets him off, but Gronvall continues to hunt for the single leg. Clarke reverses the position. Less than a minute now and the wrestling game continues. Gronvall lands a few solid short strikes before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Gronvall.
Round 3 – Clarke comes out fast looking for the takedown, but doesn’t complete it. They separate, exchange punches, and Clarke changes levels for a successful takedown. Gronvall works up to his feet, but Clarke takes the back as they go back to the ground. Clarke has the body triangle now too. He’s working for a choke and adds short punches. Gronvall punches over the top of his head. With just over 30 seconds remaining, Clarke gets a solid rear-naked choke attempt in, but the fight goes to the final bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Clarke, giving him the fight 29-28.
Result: Ciaran Clarke def. Tuomas Grönvall via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Clarke (10-0), Gronvall (12-8-1)
Division: Catchweight – 140 lbs.
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Dan Miragliotta
Dmytrii Hrytsenko vs. Darragh Kelly
Round 1 – Kelly comes forward right out of the gate, looking to land hooks. He gets an early takedown, but Hrytsenko gets back to his feet quickly. Circling on the outside now, Hrytsenko gets his striking game going with leg kicks and punches upstairs. Kelly gets in on the hips again, but this time can’t get the takedown. Kelly lands a solid uppercut and a right hand not far behind it. Feeling the momentum, Kelly launches at Hrytsenko with a flying knee. Hrytsenko clinches to slow things down for a moment. Kelly lands two uppercuts and looks for the takedown, but can’t get it. Hrytsenko lands a combo, but gets poked in the eye with 12 seconds remaining. They show respect on the restart, and Hrytsenko looks for a takedown until the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kelly.
Round 2 – Kelly takes control of the center again, and connects with an uppercut. Hrytsenko fires a head kick, but Kelly catches it against his head, keeps it held high, and forces Hrytsenko into the cage. They separate and Kelly rips a series of short uppercuts. Hrytsenko answers with punches and Kelly’s nose is busted up. They’re exchanging evenly now. Kelly looks for a takedown, and gets it after a few knees to the thighs against the cage. Hrytsenko gets up, but Kelly connects with more clean punches. Hrytsenko gets a takedown now, but there’s only a couple of seconds left before the bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kelly.
Round 3 – They come out trading punches and Kelly sweeps Hrytsenko off his feet with a calf kick. Hrytsenko gets up, and Kelly does it again with another kick! Hrytsenko gets up again, but Kelly gets a clinch. Hrytsenko lands a knee flush to Kelly’s family jewels, causing a pause in the fight. The fight resumes after a couple of minutes, and Kelly gets right back to hunting for a takedown. Hrytsenko knees Kelly to the junk again. Unreal. The referee takes a point from Hrytsenko. The fight resumes. Kelly shoots in, resulting in a side clinch against the cage. Kelly continues working for the takedown until the final bell.
MMA Junkie scores the round 10-9 for Kelly, but with the point deduction, it’s a 10-8 round, giving Kelly the fight 30-26.
Result: Darragh Kelly def. Dmytrii Hrytsenko via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Photos: Bellator Champions Series: London: Best photos from England
Records: Hrytsenko (9-1), Kelly (7-0)
Division: Lightweight
Broadcast: Max
Referee: Kerry Hatley
Bellator Champions Series: London weigh-in and fighter faceoff photos
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event page for Bellator Champions Series: London.
