Matches to Make After Bellator 289

Bellator MMA’s final event of 2022 ended with a bang, as two championships were up for grabs on Friday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

In the Bellator 289 main event, interim bantamweight champion Raufeon Stots risked his title against Danny Sabatello in a grand prix semifinal. Stots entered the cage on a 10-fight winning streak and with only one loss on his ledger, having been defeated by Merab Dvalishvili back in 2017. Sabatello, on the other hand, had rattled off seven straight victories since he suffered his lone career setback to Irwin Rivera in 2019. Their battle was hard-fought and gritty, as Sabatello sought to turn it into a wrestling match through repeated takedown attempts. Knowing he had the advantage in the striking department, Stots tried to keep it standing or return to his feet whenever he found himself grounded. It was a back-and-forth affair. Stots emerged with a split decision: 45-50, 48-47 and 48-47.

Meanwhile, the co-main event featured a rematch between Liz Carmouche and Julianna Velasquez for the Bellator women’s flyweight title. They met for the first time on April 22, when Velasquez was an undefeated champion pitted against a seasoned challenger in Carmouche. It resulted in a controversial fourth-round stoppage victory for Carmouche, who did enough with a volley of elbows to prompt referee Mike Beltran to intervene. Velasquez wanted to avenge the loss and reclaim her 125-pound crown in their second encounter. However, Carmouche put a dominant stamp on their rivalry, leaving no doubt this time around while controlling much of the action with superior clinch striking and well-timed takedowns. At the end of Round 2, she moved to mount and locked in a tight armbar from the top, forcing Velasquez to tap.

In the other bantamweight grand prix semifinal, Magomed Magomedov was paired with Patrick Mix in a duel to see who would move on to vie for a $1 million prize. Mix proved once again to be a threat to anyone—even an outstanding grappler like Magomedov—when he put the Russian to sleep with a guillotine choke midway through the second round.

Finally, Dalton Rosta remained undefeated and took a unanimous decision from Dana White’s Contender Series alum Anthony Adams in their three-round middleweight showcase.

In the aftermath of Bellator 289, here are three matches that ought to be made for 2023:

Raufeon Stots vs. Patrick Mix: The final of the bantamweight grand prix will result in life-changing payday for the victor, who will then move on to face recuperating champion Sergio Pettis in a unification bout. On one side of the equation, Mix has the look of a seemingly unstoppable grappler and submission wizard. On the other, the well-rounded Stots has proven himself in all phases. If we have learned anything about Mix, it is that he believes he can submit anybody he faces—and often does. The tournament final should provide plenty of entertainment and intrigue, as Mix always pushes the pace and looks to end fights.

Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: Everyone wants to see Carmouche meet the longest-reigning women’s flyweight champion in history, as Macfarlane held the title for more than 1,000 days before surrendering it to Velasquez in 2020. Carmouche and Macfarlane are good friends and longtime training partners. However, there is no one else for the current champion to face at this point. Both women are skilled grapplers—Carmouche is more of a wrestler, with Macfarlane being more of a submission artist—so a fight between them could result in some stalemates. Regardless, it stands out as the biggest bout that can be made in the 125-pound weight class.

Dalton Rosta vs. John Salter: Rosta, the fifth-ranked Bellator middleweight, now holds victories over two Top 10 opponents in Adams and Romero Cotton. At 8-0 and having just turned 27 years old, he appears to be ready for a step up in competition. A former title challenger, Salter has beaten everyone he has faced over the past 10 years, except for Rafael Lovato Jr., Gegard Mousasi and current middleweight champion Johnny Eblen. Can Rosta prove he belongs among the 185-pound elite? A showdown with Salter would undoubtedly include plenty of grappling exchanges, though Rosta would seek to counter with his superior standup. With a win, the American Top Team standout could find himself in position to challenge for the title.