Sara Collins established herself as the featherweight division’s top contender with a jaw-dropping first-round submission victory over Irish fan favorite Leah McCourt at the Bellator Champions Series: London event on Saturday.
McCourt looked to attack the lead leg of Collins early, but McCourt failed to set up the kicks, allowing Collins to snatch the leg and send her opponent to the mat. Collins declined to go down to the mat and allowed McCourt back to her feet.
Upright once again, Collins unleashed a massive right hand that sent McCourt crashing to the canvas. Smelling blood in the water, Collins swarmed and dropped a series of hammer fists that prompted McCourt to give up her back. Seeing her opportunity to finish things, Collins cinched her arm under McCourt’s neck and forced the tap out in round one via a rear-naked choke.
Official Result: Sara Collins def. Leah McCourt via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:25 or Round 1.
With the win over McCourt, Collins moves to a perfect 6-0 in her mixed martial arts career and is now the No. 1 ranked contender in Bellator’s featherweight division, lining her up for a potential title tilt with women’s MMA legend Cris Cyborg.
Check out highlights from Leah McCourt vs. Sara Collins:
SARA DROPS MCCOURT IN THE FIRST!
#BellatorLondon | LIVE NOW on DAZN & MAX pic.twitter.com/IHMi7uRFpL
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
IT'S ALL OVER!
Sara Collins stops Leah McCourt in the first via RNC!
What a performance!
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 14, 2024
