Bellator 194 pre-event facts: Patricky 'Pitbull' ties Bellator record for most fights

(This story was originally published on Feb. 14, 2018.)

Bellator puts on another notable fight card tonight with Bellator 194, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and airs on Paramount following prelims on MMAjunkie.

The second opening-round/quarterfinal matchup of the Bellator heavyweight grand prix headlines the event. Roy Nelson (22-14 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) meets Matt Mitrione (12-5 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) in a rematch of a December 2012 bout that “Big Country” won by first-round TKO.

Although the main event will determine who joins Chael Sonnen in the tournament semifinals, several other worthwhile combatants are scheduled to fight on Bellator’s third card of the year. For more on the numbers behind Bellator 194, check below for 25 pre-event facts.

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Main event

Roy Nelson.

Nelson, 41, is the oldest of the 10 fighters scheduled to compete on the main card.

Nelson has alternated wins and losses in his past six fights. He defeated Javy Ayala in his most recent bout, at Bellator 183 in September.

Nelson’s total fight time of 3:22:33 in UFC heavyweight competition is most in divisional history.

Nelson is the only fighter in UFC history to record his first seven victories with the organization by knockout.

Nelson’s nine decision losses in UFC heavyweight competition are the most in divisional history and second most overall in company history behind Jeremy Stephens (11).

Nelson absorbed 985 significant strikes in UFC heavyweight competition, the most in divisional history. Of those 985 strikes, 640 were landed to the head.

Matt Mitrione

All of Mitrione’s career bouts have come under the Bellator or UFC banner.

Mitrione’s three-fight Bellator winning streak in heavyweight competition is the third longest active streak in the division behind Cheick Kongo (five) and Bobby Lashley (five).

Mitrione has earned 11 of his 12 career victories by stoppage. That includes all three of his Bellator wins.

Co-main event

Patricky Freire

Patricky Freire – also known as Patricky Pitbull – (18-8 MMA, 11-7 BMMA) competes in his 19th Bellator bout, tied with David Rickels for most appearances in company history.

Freire’s 11 victories in Bellator lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Michael Chandler (12).

Freire’s seven stoppage victories in Bellator lightweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Chandler (eight).

Freire’s seven knockout victories in Bellator competition are tied for second most in company history behind Douglas Lima (eight).

Derek Campos

Derek Campos (19-6 MMA, 8-4 BMMA) rematches Freire in a fight he lost by second-round TKO at Bellator 117 in April 2014.

Campos’ four-fight winning streak in Bellator lightweight competition is the second longest active streak in the division behind champ Brent Primus (six).

Remaining main card

Liam McGeary

Liam McGeary (12-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) competes in his 11th Bellator light-heavyweight bout, the second most appearances in divisional history behind Emanuel Newton (12).

McGeary has lost two of his past three fights after starting his career with 12 consecutive victories.

McGeary’s eight victories in Bellator light-heavyweight competition are tied with Newton for most in divisional history.

McGeary’s four knockout victories in Bellator light-heavyweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Muhammed Lawal (five).

McGeary’s three submission victories in Bellator light-heavyweight competition are tied with Newton, Linton Vassell and Mike Mucitelli for most in divisional history.

Vadim Nemkov (8-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) has earned all of his career victories by first-round stoppage.

Heather Hardy

Heather Hardy (1-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) enters the event following her first loss in 23 fights of MMA and boxing combined competition.

Ana Julaton (2-3 MMA, 0-1 BMMA), 37, is the oldest of female fighter on the Bellator roster.

Tywan Claxton (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), 25, is the youngest of the 10 fighters scheduled to compete on the main card.

For more on Bellator 194, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.