Emanating from the Kia Center in Miami, Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA returned on Saturday night with a heavyweight headliner to crown the division’s first-ever champion.
Former UFC heavyweight titleholder Junior dos Santos stepped inside the cage for a clash with Alan Belcher, a UFC veteran who defeated Arnold Adams last year to capture the BKFC heavyweight championship. Making the move to Gamebred, Belcher bested Roy Nelson via split decision in November to earn his spot against JDS.
Dos Santos entered the bout six months removed from his own split decision victory against another heavyweight icon — Fabricio Werdum — at Gamebred Bareknuckle 5.
Round 1
Belcher gets right in dos Santos’ face. JDS offers a quick knee up the middle to try and create space. Belcher fires a right-left combination followed by a calf kick. Belcher continues to chase JDS as dos Santos starts to let his hands go. Belcher throws a couple of right hands, trying to catch JDS against the cage. Dos Santos lands a calf kick. Belcher moves in and eats a stiff shot from JDS that has him busted open over the left eye.
Belcher continues to try and close the distance. JDS starts opening up his striking, letting his signature right hand go. Leg kick from JDS lands. He follows up with a couple of stiff jabs. JDS eats a shot and is now bleeding from his nose. Dos Santos fires a spinning heel kick to the body of Belcher and the round concludes with both men circling one another in the center of the cage.
JDS goes back to his corner with his nose noticeably out of place.
Round 2
Belcher offers a couple of kicks to the body. JDS attacks the leg before going up top with the head kick. Belcher slips the left from JDS and lands a nasty right hook that has dos Santos retreating. Belcher lays into him with another couple of solid rights before JDS can get some separation. Belcher punches his way into the clinch, but JDS reverses position and scores a double-leg takedown with three minutes to go in the round. JDS sinks in a neck crank that looks tight, but Belcher fights it off.
The blood is beginning to pour as Belcher attempts to sweep, but JDS keeps his back on the canvas. Dos Santos unleashes some hellacious ground and pound and Belcher is beginning to look fatigued. JDS teases a straight armbar but uses it as an opportunity to deliver an elbow to Belcher.
JDS gets off the ground and Belcher uses it as an opportunity to spring to his feet. Belcher leaves himself open in the process and JDS blasts him with a crushing left hand that immediately sends him crashing back to the canvas. JDS followed it up with a couple of ground-and-pound strikes before the referee stepped in and called for the stoppage.
Official Result: Junior dos Santos def. Alan Belcher via TKO (strikes) at 4:39 of Round 2 to win the inaugural Gamebred Bareknuckle heavyweight championship
Check Out Highlights From Junior dos Santos vs. Alan Belcher at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA 7:
Junior Dos Santos Beats Belcher in One of The Bloodiest Battles Ever! #GamebredBKMMA pic.twitter.com/g8rM1PClAO
— MMA WIZZ 🥷 (@themmawizz) March 3, 2024
Junior Dos Santos destroys Alan Belcher #Gamebred #GamebredBKMMA pic.twitter.com/Ov6ApTIwsK
— Haduucken (@Haduuuucken) March 3, 2024
