Bellator 253 Results: Caldwell vs. McKee

Bellator 253 took place on November 19, 2020, at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. A.J. McKee submitted Darrion Caldwell in 71 seconds to reach the featherweight grand prix final. Jason Jackson, Joey Davis and Raufeon Stots earned unanimous decisions on the supporting main card.

Main Event: Caldwell vs. McKee

In the main event, Darrion Caldwell, a former NCAA champion wrestler, faced off against the undefeated AJ McKee. Caldwell started strong, securing an early takedown and establishing top position inside McKee’s guard. However, McKee quickly turned the tables, trapping Caldwell’s head and executing a neck crank that forced Caldwell to tap out in the first round.

Co-Main Event: Henderson vs. Jackson

The co-main event saw former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson move up in weight to face Jason Jackson. Despite Henderson’s experience and pedigree, Jackson emerged victorious, winning by unanimous decision.

Other Notable Fights

The event also featured a bantamweight bout between Raufeon Stots and Keith Lee, which ended in a unanimous decision victory for Stots. On the prelims, UFC veteran Jeremy Kennedy made his promotional debut and secured a unanimous decision win over Matt Bessette.

Event Perspective

Jackson defeated Benson Henderson on three 30–27 scorecards in their welterweight bout. Joey Davis outpointed Bobby Lee, and Stots defeated Keith Lee unanimously. Jeremy Kennedy also won a unanimous decision against Matt Bessette on the preliminary card, making his Bellator debut successful.

Conclusion

McKee’s neck crank at 1:11 of round one was the event’s tournament-defining finish. Caldwell secured an early takedown, but McKee attacked effectively from underneath and forced the submission. That sequence demonstrated why top position alone does not eliminate an opponent’s finishing threat.

Why the Event Mattered

The semifinal awarded McKee a place in the tournament final, rather than the championship itself. His quick submission preserved an unbeaten run while ending Caldwell’s bracket campaign. The rest of the main card contrasted that abrupt finish with victories achieved across three complete rounds.

Sources

MMA Fighting: Bellator 253 results; MMA Fighting: semifinal recap; Event results record.

Article Tags

Bellator, Bellator 253, Mixed Martial Arts