Yancy Medeiros continues to put on for his home island.
Saturday at Bellator 295, Medeiros (16-8 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) won in front of a raucous Honolulu crowd for the second time in as many appearances when he submitted Charlie Leary (17-14-1 MMA, 3-5 BMMA) in a thrilling battle at 4:39 of Round 1.
The fight was a 165-pound contract weight and took place on the main card at Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
A firefight ignited between Medeiros and the Englishman, Leary, seemingly from the opening bell. A moderate underdog, Leary looked like he might play the role of spoiler as he found success in the boxing department. After he ate a few shots, however, Medeiros began to battle back as he tagged Leary more and more.
Punches, knees, a spinning back elbow, and a spinning back kick to the body found its way for Medeiros, who battered Leary. Eventually, Medeiros dropped Leary. Even though Leary rose up, Medeiros continued his onslaught and dragged the fight back down. Medeiros expended a lot of energy with the wild flurry of dozens of strikes, but when it hit the canvas, he pivoted to jiu-jitsu. Medeiros locked in a rear-naked choke, pulled Leary to the canvas, and got the tap.
WHAT A FINISH! 👏
The crowd at the Blaisdell Arena erupts for @ymedeiros following his submission win. #Bellator295 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/5IfnJvpaXI
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2023
WHAT A FIGHT! WHAT A WIN!
Take a bow @ymedeiros 🙌#Bellator295 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/zYBlITDLGl
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2023
Medeiros, 35, debuted in Bellator in April 2022. In front of the Honolulu crowd, he earned a multifight deal with the promotion after a thrilling victory over Emmanuel Sanchez. It was his first competition since his UFC departure.
MMA Junkie spent time with Medeiros during that fight week, in which he detailed his upbringing, lifestyle, and uniquely positive outlook on life in a documentary titled, “The Way of a Wai’anae Warrior.”
Up-to-the-minute Bellator 295 results include:
- Yancy Medeiros def. Charlie Leary via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:39
- Aaron Pico def. James Gonzalez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Mads Burnell def. Justin Gonzales via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Kai Kamaka def. Adli Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Sumiko Inaba def. Veta Arteaga via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Aalon Cruz def. Bobby King via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Davion Franklin def. Kasim Aras via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Bruna Ellen def. Ilara Joanne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Masayuki Kikuiri def. Alexey Shurkevich via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 4:33
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 295.
