Yancy Medeiros submits Charlie Leary in his return to Hawaii at Bellator 295
By Chad Porto
Yancy Medeiros met Charlie Leary at Bellator 295.
Yancy Medeiros came into Bellator 295 hoping to get another win and start a winning streak. After dropping his last four fights in the UFC, Medeiros came into the fight in Honolulu looking to get his second-straight win against a tough out in Charlie Leary.
Medeiros, the hometown favorite, and Leary opened up the first round with some precise and methodical striking. Leary led with some jabs, but Medeiros counted with some leg kicks and body blows. Leary tagged Medeiros, shaking him up, but Medeiros was able to tag him back, knocking him to the ground.
Leary wouldn't stay down, however, and would be able to fight back to his feet, but Medeiros would continue to find some open shots before Leary got knocked down to the mat one last time. Leary wouldn't give up, so Medeiros would mount his back, take his neck and lock in a rare-naked choke for the win.
WHAT A FINISH! 👏
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2023
The crowd at the Blaisdell Arena erupts for @ymedeiros following his submission win. #Bellator295 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/5IfnJvpaXI
Yancy Medeiros won't just fight in Hawaii
Following the fight, John McCarthy asked Medeiros, who is now 2-0 in Hawaii as part of the Bellator brand, if he was just going to fight in his home state from now on, but he made it clear he was looking for more fights going forward, now that he wasn't dealing with any lingering injuries like his torn retina.