The Bellator Champions Series London, held on September 14, 2024, at the iconic OVO Arena in Wembley, was a thrilling night of mixed martial arts action. Although the highly anticipated middleweight title rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards was postponed, the card still delivered incredible fights, with Sara Collins stepping up to headline against Leah McCourt. Here’s a detailed recap of the event, its results, and the implications for the fighters and divisions involved.
Main Event: Sara Collins vs. Leah McCourt
The headline bout saw Australia’s Sara Collins remain unbeaten with a first-round submission victory over Leah McCourt via rear-naked choke. The fight ended at 2:25 of the first round, cementing Collins as a formidable contender in the women’s featherweight division. Collins has been a rising star in Bellator, and this win marks her sixth career victory, keeping her undefeated record intact.
McCourt, a proven veteran of the division, couldn’t withstand Collins’ relentless grappling pressure. The loss is a setback for McCourt, who was hoping to continue her momentum after a solid 2023 campaign.
Eblen vs. Edwards Rematch Postponed
The original headliner, a middleweight championship rematch between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards, was postponed due to undisclosed reasons. This fight was highly anticipated after their first encounter in Bellator 299, where Eblen won by third-round knockout. Fans were eager to see if Edwards could avenge that loss, but the rematch has been delayed, leaving the middleweight division in limbo for now. Bellator has yet to announce a rescheduled date.
Notable Fights & Results
- Simeon Powell vs. Rafael Xavier: Powell earned a hard-fought split decision victory over Rafael Xavier in a light heavyweight bout. This fight went the full three rounds, with both fighters putting on a display of striking and grappling. Powell’s win adds another victory to his growing resume.
- Luke Trainer vs. Laurynas Urbonavicius: Trainer showcased his submission skills with a first-round rear-naked choke, finishing Urbonavicius at 4:15 of the first round. Trainer continues to impress in the light heavyweight division, and this victory puts him on the radar for future title contention.
- Marc Diakiese vs. Tim Wilde: Diakiese made a successful Bellator debut with a unanimous decision victory over Wilde. This bout featured technical striking exchanges, but Diakiese’s consistency throughout the fight earned him the win, making him a new threat in the lightweight division.
Preliminary Highlights
The undercard featured several exciting moments:
- Archie Colgan vs. Manoel Sousa: Colgan secured a unanimous decision victory in a closely contested bout.
- Mike Shipman vs. Eslam Abdul Baset: Shipman won via second-round TKO with a brutal knee and punch combination that ended the fight.
- Joseph Luciano vs. Steven Hill: Luciano’s submission prowess was on display as he locked in an anaconda choke in the second round, earning a decisive win.
Impact on Divisions
Sara Collins’ dominant win in the main event makes her a serious contender in the women’s featherweight division, potentially setting her up for a future title shot. On the other hand, the Eblen vs. Edwards postponement leaves fans eagerly waiting for the next chapter in the middleweight division. This fight will eventually decide the trajectory of both fighters, especially for Edwards, who is eager to avenge his previous loss.
Simeon Powell and Luke Trainer also bolstered their standing in the light heavyweight division, positioning themselves for bigger fights in the future. Additionally, Marc Diakiese’s successful Bellator debut indicates that the lightweight division has gained a dangerous new contender.
Conclusion
While the headline bout between Johnny Eblen and Fabian Edwards didn’t take place, the Bellator Champions Series London event still delivered high-quality fights and significant moments. Sara Collins emerged as a star, continuing her unbeaten run, and several fighters moved closer to title contention in their respective divisions.
Bellator fans now await the rescheduling of the Eblen vs. Edwards rematch, but in the meantime, the excitement and competitiveness of the Bellator 2024 season continue to grow.
