Meeks successfully defends Bellator title in the 135-pound division, overcoming Magomedov
In the thrilling fights of May 17, 2024, the Bellator Champions Series rocked the Accor Arena in Paris, France. The main event was an electrifying bantamweight title match featuring reigning champ Patchy Mix, Brazil's 28-1 powerhouse, and Magomed Magomedov, Russia's No.4 contender, who eyed revenge for his 2022 loss via a controversial guillotine choke in round two.
This much-anticipated rematch saw Magomedov, given his title shot, employing strategies learned from the previous defeat to counter Mix's height advantage in stand-up battles. Each competitive round kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, and when the judges' controversial split decision fell, Mix claimed the victory, extending his winning streak to an impressive seven fights.
Amid the controversy surrounding the decision, Mix earned himself a challenge from former champion Sergio Pettis, whom he had recently defeated at Bellator 301 through a rear-naked choke in the second round[2].
The co-main event unveiled French debutant Cedric Dumbe showcasing his striking skills, securing a TKO against Jailton Willis within the first round of the 175 lbs limit. The rest of the main card saw:
- Costello van Steenis forcing a tapout through a shoulder choke against Gregory Babene in the middleweight division;
- Yves Landu winning via split decision against Jonas Billard in the featherweight division;
- Arch Colgan earning a unanimous decision victory against Thibault Gouiti in the lightweight division.
The preliminary card added more excitement to the evening with:
- Slim Trabelsi defeating Louis Sutherland via unanimous decision in the heavyweight division;
- Mansour Barnaoui submitting Yasuke Yachi via brabo choke in the lightweight division;
- Mike Shipman winning via TKO, with his opponent's corner throwing in the towel, in the middleweight division;
- Aspen Ladd claiming a unanimous decision victory against Ekaterina Shashkina in the women's bantamweight division;
- Asael Adjoudj scoring a TKO against Bruno Fones in the featherweight division.
This Paris event was a turning point for the Bellator Champions Series, which ultimately ceased operations in 2025, with Patchy Mix moving on to the UFC after defending his title in the French capital[2]. This memorable evening left a lasting impact on the MMA community, with some debate swirling around the controversial split decision that sealed Mix's victory[2][3].
In the months leading to the UFC, Mix continued to stake his claim as a top sports athlete in mixed-martial-arts, further extending his undefeated streak. Meanwhile, the MMA community remained divided over the controversial split decision that had awarded him the win in Paris against Magomedov, fueling heated discussions and debates.
