CHICAGO – Ramazan Kuramagomedov has officially arrived in Bellator.
After being at top of the international welterweight talent prospect pool for years, Kuramagomedov (11-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) finally made his promotional debut in style Friday at Winstar Arena when he knocked out Jaleel Willis (16-5 MMA, 4-3 BMMA) at 1:24 of Round 1.
The finish began with a beautifully brutal and perfectly-timed knee in the clinch. When Kuramagomedov landed, Willis crashed to the canvas. Kuramagomedov pounded away until referee Rob Madrigal intervened.
THAT'S A PERFECT DEBUT! 😳
Welcome to the Bellator cage, Ramazan Kuramagomedov. 🫡
📺 #Bellator297 @MonsterEnergy Prelims fueled by @superiorgrocers LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/FQbUPMx9JR
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) June 17, 2023
Kuramagomedov, 26, preserves his perfect record with his second career knockout. On the flip side of the equation, Willis has now lost three of his most recent four.
The up-to-the-minute Bellator 297 results include:
- Ramazan Kuramagomedov def. Jaleel Willis via knockout (knee and punches) – Round 1, 1:24
- Norbert Novenyi Jr. def. Kamil Oniszczuk via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:46
- Archie Colgan def. Emmanuel Sanchez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jordan Newman def. Matthew Perry via submission (Americana) – Round 1, 4:20
- Cody Law def. Edwin Chavez via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 297.