Bellator 277 was held Friday night at the SAP Center with million-dollar prizes for the winning fighters.
Aaron Pico, born in Whitter, scored a TKO in the third round against Adli Edwards. “He’s super, super tough,” Pico said in his post-match news conference. “I was hitting him with some hard shots.” Edwards fought Pico on less than two weeks’ notice.
Corey Anderson fought Vadim Nemkov for a $1 million prize in the Bellator light heavyweight World Grand Prix Final. The bout ended in a no-contest after an accidental clash of heads.
“There’s nothing you can do about it now,” Anderson said. “It’s very upsetting especially because I broke him.”
A.J. McKee, of Long Beach, experienced his first professional loss in his rematch bout against Patricio Pitbull, of Brazil. The judges scored the match 49-46, 48-47, 48-47. McKee beat Pitbull at Bellator 263 in July 31, 2021.
Linton Vassell defeated Tim Johnson by TKO in the first round. “It’s always on your mind no matter how much you train, no matter how many rounds you do with your partners and how fit you are, you always think if I get clipped can I take it?” Vassell said. “Nights like this show that I can still take a shot like other fights that I’ve won.”
Caution: Graphic images.
SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Aaron Pico celebrates after winning against Adli Edwards in the third round during a bout at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Aaron Pico, right, punches Adli Edwards during a bout at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. Pico won during the third round. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Vadim Nemkov has his face treated after fighting Corey Anderson in a light heavyweight World Grand Prix Final match at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. The bout was ruled a no-contest. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Linton Vassell, center, is pushed into the fencing by Tim Johnson during a light heavyweight World Grand Prix Final match at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. The bout was ruled a no-contest. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: A young fan raises his hand at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Aaron Pico, right, punches Adli Edwards, center, during a bout at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. Pico won during the third round. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: A.J. McKee raises his fist in the air before fighting Patricio Pitbull during a featherweight championship match at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Linton Vassell flexes during a light heavyweight World Grand Prix Final match at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. The bout was ruled a no-contest. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: Linton Vassell, center, is pushed into the fencing by Tim Johnson during a light heavyweight World Grand Prix Final match at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. The bout was ruled a no-contest. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group) SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 15: A.J. McKee, left, punches Patricio Pitbull, right, during a featherweight championship match at the Bellator 277 mixed martial arts event in San Jose, Calif., Friday, April 15, 2022. Pitbull won the fight by unanimous decision. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)
