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June 24, 2017 | Posted by Robert Winfree

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BELLATOR NYC
Chael Sonnen (205.8 lbs.) vs. Wanderlei Silva (205.8 lbs.)
Fedor Emelianenko (236.4 lbs.) vs. Matt Mitrione (256.6 lbs.)
Champ Douglas Lima (170 lbs.) vs. Lorenz Larkin (169.8 lbs.) – for welterweight title
Champ Michael Chandler (153.8 lbs.) vs. Brent Primus (154.2 lbs.) – for lightweight title
Zach Freeman (155.8 lbs.) vs. Aaron Pico (156 lbs.)

BELLATOR 180
Champ Phil Davis (204.8 lbs.) vs. Ryan Bader (204.4 lbs.) – for light heavyweight title
James Gallagher (144.4 lbs.) vs. Chinzo Machida (146 lbs.)
Neiman Gracie (170.4 lbs.) vs. Dave Marfone (170.4 lbs.) – swing bout
Heather Hardy (125.2 lbs.) vs. Alice Yauger (125.6 lbs.)


Hello everyone and welcome to 411mania’s LIVE coverage of Bellator 180/Bellator NYC. Yeah the naming scheme is beyond stupid. I’m Robert Winfree and I’ll be your host for the evening. This is Bellator’s second ever PPV event as well as their debut in Madison Square Garden. The PPV portion of this card (Bellator NYC) has two utterly useless fights and two title fights. In the main event Chael Sonnen, who hasn’t won a fight since 2013 and was recently tapped out by Tito Ortiz, takes on Wanderlei Silva, who hasn’t fought since 2013. Both men left the UFC under the cloud of drug issues, but they were supposed to fight back in 2014 so Bellator is belatedly putting to use all of the air time they racked up on TUF: Brazil 3, for anyone who actually watched that. Also the greatest heavyweight ever, Fedor Emelianenko, returns to American soil. Fedor’s visibly on the down side of his career and probably should have just stayed retired, but he’s taking on Matt Mitrione, you know, the guy who lost to Travis Browne then left the UFC. Also on the main card Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima is trying for his first title defense against Lorenz Larkin, Larkin has looked great at welterweight and Lima has only lost once in his last eight fights. Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler takes on rising prospect Brent Primus, and the anticipated debut of Aaron Pico. The main event of the prelims (Bellator 180, I know the naming scheme is stupid) is a rematch between two top ten light heavyweights as champion Phil Davis looks for his first title defense against Ryan Bader. These two had an absolutely atrocious fight in 2015, Davis was released immediately after losing the split decision, so let’s just hope this one is better. This event comes to us from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. The commentary is also a little wonky from my understanding, I believe Mike Dogeberg Goldberg will be calling the prelims with Jimmy Smith while Mauro Ranallo and Jimmy Smith will have the PPV card. Leave it to Bellator to needlessly complicate something as simple as commentary.

Heather Hardy is making her professional MMA debut here but is a very well regarded boxer, in fact she’s undefeated in the ring and despite being on the older side for combat sports she’s also well known in the north east and has some hype here. Hardy is trying to prove she can be a force in MMA as well as boxing. Alice Yauger lost her Bellator debut in January of this year, she’s trying to derail Hardy’s debut as well as get her professional record back to the .500 mark.

Women’s Flyweight Bout: Heather Hardy (0-0, 125.2 lbs.) vs. Alice Yauger (4-5, 125.6 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Hardy is an inch taller and has an inch and a half of reach on Yauger. They both show the jab early, Yauger misses a head kick. Hardy lands a right to the body then a leg kick. Yauger gets the clinch, Hardy spins her and they start trading body work while spinning then break. Hardy lands a leg kick, eats a bit of a right though. Hardy lands another leg kick. Yauger lands a leg kick, Hardy lands a body kick. Hardy digs a right then a left to the body. Hardy patiently stalking forward, lands an overhand right. Hardy lands another right, Yauger is leaving her head wide open when she throws. Yauger lands a leg kick. Hardy lands an inside leg kick, they clinch and Yauger lands some knees to the body. They trade knees to the body then separate. Hardy lands another leg kick, not much on it but she’s trying to set up a right with it. Yauger lands a knee to the head from a brief clinch. Hardy lands a couple of left body kicks. Hardy lands a leg kick, takes a knee to the body. Hardy lands a couple of leg kicks, slips on the second and Yauger clinches her as she gets up, Yauger lands a few knees to the body before they break. Hardy lands a bit of a right. Yauger lands a leg kick, they both land ugly rights. Hardy lands another left body kick. They clinch, Yauger lands a knee to the head, then they break as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Hardy but could go either way

ROUND TWO: They touch gloves for the second round. Yauger tries a double leg, Hardy avoids it and they wind up clinched again. Hardy breaks with a right to the body then lands a body kick. Hardy lands a leg kick, Yauger returns it. Hardy lands a leg kick but eats a counter right. Hardy lands a left hook. Yauger lands a jab, Hardy lands a right to the body. Hardy lands a right to the head. Hardy is relying on that right a little too much, she’s becoming predictable. Hardy lands a right to the body. Hardy lands a right, eats a bit of a left though. Hardy lands another right to the body, Yauger lands a leg kick. Hardy lands a leg kick and avoids a spinning back fist. Hardy lands a left body kick. Yauger tries a double leg, fails miserably, and Hardy lands a couple of punches as they break. Hardy working inside and outside leg kicks. Yauger lands a bit of a head kick, Hardy responds with a right. They trade lefts in close but Hardy had landed a couple of more punches before that. Hardy lands a right then a left. Hardy lands a right, Yauger lands a bit of a left. They clinch and trade body work, Yauger relying on knees, before they break. Hardy lands to the body again. Yauger misses wide hooks and the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Hardy, 20-18 Hardy overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the last round. Hardy lands a leg kick, then a right that drops Yauger to her seat for a second. Hardy lands a leg kick, they clinch and Yauger knees the body before they break. Hardy much busier, Yauger doing a lot of defense but not as much countering now. Hardy lands a leg kick. They clinch up and Yauger has Hardy on the fence. Hardy spins free quickly and lands a couple of punches at distance. Hardy lands a leg kick. Hardy stalking forward, they trade leg kicks again. Yauger lands a knee to the body. Hardy lands a jab then a leg kick. Yauger has a left high kick blocked. Hardy lands a couple of body shots, Yauger lands a knee to the body. Hardy lands a leg kick. Hardy lands a right, we got what might have been a clash of heads, definitely was on replay, that opens up a pretty gnarly cut around the left eyebrow of Hardy. We’ve got time for the doctor to check the cut, he says we’re good to continue. Hardy lands a right, Yauger moving forward trying to capitalize on the cut. Hardy lands a couple of rights, the second drops Yauger but Hardy lets her up. Hardy trying to swarm, she should have had a finish there but let her stand. Hardy flurries on Yauger against the fence, Yauger just tries to survive and after enough punches the ref stops the fight.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Heather Hardy via TKO, punches, at 4:47 of Round 3

The Final Round Finish Club thank Ms. Hardy for her work this evening. Hardy gets an interview now. She puts over Yauger as being tough, then says she decided to make Yauger stand back up in the third rather than follow her down. She says the toughest girls on the planet are from Booklyn to close the interview.

Here’s the finish in case you missed it.

James Gallagher is also undefeated, a bit of a theme for these under card fights, and had a successful Bellator debut. He’s also looking to stay perfect and prove he’s more than just a training buddy of Conor McGregor, he’d like to move towards title contention. Chinzo Machida is on a four fight winning streak including going 2-0 in Bellator so far. Machida is trying to keep moving upwards in the division.

Featherweight Bout: James Gallagher (6-0, 144.4 lbs.) vs. Chinzo Machida (5-2, 146 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Machida has four inches of reach on Gallagher but their height is the same. Also of note, Machida is twenty years older than Gallagher. Circling to start, both men switching stance depending on the angle. They trade a few punches, Machida avoids a low single leg attempt. Gallagher settling into orthodox. Machida lands a body kick then a left, Gallagher takes him down off of that though. Gallagher moves to full mount almost immediately. Gallagher lands a few short elbows, he moves towards the back now. Machida tries to escape, nearly does but Gallagher switches to a body triangle. Gallagher after the choke, Machida hand fighting. Gallagher breaks the grip, gets the choke, and Machida has to tap.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – James Gallagher via Submission, rear naked choke, 2:22 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Gallagher for his work this evening. Dominant performance from Gallagher, good timing on the takedown and good passing once things hit the mat. Gallagher on the mic now. He says he’s always after the first round finish and that’s what he’ll do every time. He says this is his place, he’s got a pretty loud contingent in the crowd. He calls for a title shot and says he’s coming home to celebrate tomorrow.

Ryan Bader is one of the premier light heavyweights in the world, despite his ability the fact that he could never really compete with the upper echelon of talent in the UFC, the Jones’, Gustafsson’s, Johnson’s, or Cormier’s, gets him over looked. In reality Bader has only lost three times since 2012 and is 7-1 in his last eight fights including wins over Ovince Saint-Preux and Phil Davis. Bader is trying to prove he’s still one of the best in the world and claim the first title of his career. Phil Davis is the reigning Bellator light heavyweight champion and is 4-0 in the promotion, he’s looking for his first title defense here as well as a bit of revenge against Bader who beat him previously. These two had an abysmal fight back in 2015, let’s all just hope it’s better this time around.

Light Heavyweight Title Bout: (c) Phil Davis (17-3 1 NC, 204.8 lbs.) vs. Ryan Bader (22-5, 204.4 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: These two are the same height but Davis has five inches of reach on Bader. Touc of gloves to get things going. Both men showing lead hand activity, Bader moving forward while Davis circles. They both miss a lot, Davis tries a knee tap, Bader blocks it and they clinch up. They disengage without incident. Bader goes southpaw, and lands a long left then an inside leg kick. Bader back to orthodox now. Davis lands a leg kick. Bader lands a bit of a left hook, then a glancing leg kick. Bader circling now, Davis lands another leg kick. Davis tries a knee tap, Bader grabs a front head lock and shucks him off. Bader southpaw again, and back to orthodox without doing anything. Davis lands another leg kick. Bader starting to double up on the jab. Bader circling still, has a left high kick blocked. Bader lands a bit of a right then has a left blocked. Davis tries to clinch, Bader avoids it. They trade body kicks that were partially blocked. They basically stare the last ten seconds away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bader but could go either way

ROUND TWO: They touch gloves again. Bader moving forward now, both men still struggling with the range so far. Bader lands an inside leg kick. Bader lands a bit of a left from southpaw. Davis blocks a high kick and Bader goes back to orthodox. Bader ducks under a head kick. Bader lands a leg kick. Bader blocks another leaning takedown attempt. They split jabs but still neither man is landing comfortably. Bader lands a bit of a jab. Bader lands a double jab and Davis lands a left body kick. Bader falls a little short with a right. Bader ducks under another head kick attempt. Davis tries a takedown, Bader blocks it and nearly pushes him over before Davis breaks free. Bader lands a solid left body kick. Davis lands a front kick to the body. Davis lands a leg kick. Bader lands a bit of a left body kick. Bader blocks a high kick then fakes a double leg and lands a right. They circle for the last ten seconds or so.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bader, 20-18 Bader overall

ROUND THREE: And we’re back to probing jabs and failing to adjust to angles. Bader southpaw again, he’s just setting up a left body kick with that stance. Davis lands a front kick to the body, Bader lands a left body kick then goes back orthodox. Bader lands a leg kick. Davis lands a superman punch then a left to get some life into the crowd. Bader just has a right blocked. Davis lands a leg kick. Davis lands a front kick to the body. Bader lands a bit of a right. Bader tries a side kick from southpaw that misses. Davis misses a looping left. Davis moving forward at this point, still both guys struggling with distance. Bader lands an inside leg kick. And commentary is so bored they’re talking about other fights from this card. Bader lands a bit of a right. Davis lands a left body kick. Davis misses a superman punch. Bader hits a double leg, Davis to his base and Bader into the ride position. Bader grabs for a guillotine, doesn’t control the body and Davis floats over and gets top position as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Davis, 29-28 Bader overall

ROUND FOUR: Davis showing the jab to the body now. Bader lands a leg kick. The ref calls time to tell both guys to fight, good for him. Davis lands a bit of a body kick. Davis lands a right, tries a double leg but Bader blocks it and pushes free of a clinch. Davis lands a leg kick. Bader lands a stiff counter right after slipping a looping punch. Bader slips a right and lands a right again. Bader ducks under another head kick. Bader lands a glancing overhand right. Bader lands a jab, he might have a feel for the timing now. Bader lands a body kick. Davis lands a body kick of his own. Bader lands a couple of hard left body kicks then Davis lands a leg kick. Bader again with that left body kick. Davis lands a body kick. They split jabs again. Davis with a couple of left body kicks. Bader lands a leg kick. Bader lands a bit of an overhand right and they paw with jabs as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bader, 39-37 Bader overall

ROUND FIVE: Bader pressing forward to start the round. Bader showing the jab. They both miss rights, Bader shoves Davis out of a clinch. Bader is a physical beast but he’s not adapted his game recently. Bader has a body kick blocked. Bader lands a leg kick. Bader lands another leg kick, this time Davis lands a bit of a counter. Davis lands a left hook, and Bader ducks under a head kick. Bader lands a short right. Davis lands an inside leg kick. Bader tries a double leg, Davis to his base and Bader into the ride position immediately. Davis back up and they’re clinched on the fence. Bader lands an elbow as he pulls free from the clinch. Davis lands a left body kick. Bader misses a right. Bader lands a counter right. Bader lands a straight right. Bader ducks a right, tries a double leg but Davis is able to defend and separate. They don’t do much as time runs down.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Bader, 49-46 Bader overall but these are probably going to be all over the place

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER and NEW Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion – Ryan Bader via split decision (47-48, 49-46 x2)

No interview as they’re pressed for time, possible interview at the top of the PPV.

They toss it to the analyst desk, which now consists of Mike Goldberg, Brendan Schaub, and Josh Thomson. Schaub has been almost comically bad in this role, Goldberg moves up here as Maura Ranallo joins Jimmy Smith cageside.

Lorenz Larkin is on a pretty good run, 4-1 since dropping to welterweight, and brings a two fight winning streak with him into this title opportunity. Larkin steam rolled Neil Magny in his last fight but couldn’t come to terms with the UFC on a new deal, he’s making his Bellator debut here and looking to capture his first major MMA title. Douglas Lima is on a two fight winning streak as well, he reclaimed the Bellator welterweight title in his last fight when he knocked out Andrey Koreshkov. Lima is looking for the biggest win of his career as well as to further cement his title reign.

Welterweight Title Bout: (c) Douglas Lima (28-6, 170 lbs.) vs. Lorenz Larkin (18-5 1 NC, 169.8 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Lima is two inches taller while Larkin has an inch of reach on him. Larkin will switch his stance as necessary but prefers orthodox. Circling to start, Lima misses a leg kick. Larkin pawing with the lead hand, Lima lands a bit of a leg kick. Larkin lands a calf kick. Both men very cautious so far, neither wants to make a big error this early in the fight. Lima lands a bit of a leg kick. Larkin lands a leg kick. Lima lands a leg kick. Lima checks a leg kick. Larkin showing a rear leg oblique kick now. Lima lands a leg kick. Larkin lands a stiff one two combination. Larkin avoids a right. They both miss punches then Lima misses a kick. Larkin has a couple of punches blocked. Larkin lands a left body kick. Lima has a right uppercut stuffed but lands a bit of a left into the clinch. Lima holds Larkin on the fence for the last five seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lima

ROUND TWO: Touch of gloves for the second round. Lima pressing forward this round, lands a body kick then a leg kick. Lima ducks under a right hook. Larkin lands a bit of an uppercut but both men have had pretty solid defense thus far. Larkin still trying to bait Lima into biting on feints, Lima not biting. Lima blocks a combination from Larkin then Larkin lands a leg kick. Larkin might be better served to be offensive rather than trying to bait offense to counter. Lima lands a leg kick. Larkin lands a right as Lima was backing up against the fence. Lima is bleeding from the nose, Larkin tries to close but Lima catches him clean with a left hook and Larkin drops. Lima on top trying to finish, Larkin tying him up so far. Lima postures up, stands and passes to side control but Larkin scrambles to his feet. Lima backing Larkin into the fence now. Larkin has a couple of punches blocked, then lands an oblique kick to the hip. Lima might have punched himself out a bit there and is recovering. Lima has some punches blocked and Larkin lands a right. They both miss punches, Lima lands a leg kick. They stare the final ten seconds away.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lima, 20-18 Lima overall

ROUND THREE: Touch of gloves for the third round. Larkin circling to start, Lima lands a bit of a left body kick. Larkin to southpaw, Lima misses a couple of body kicks. Lima lands a bit of a body kick. Both men missing a lot this round. Lima lands an inside leg kick. Lima lands a bit of a straight right. Larkin really needs to get something going, he’s getting out pointed this round. They both miss rights. Larkin still southpaw, he must like something about that stance. Larkin lands a body kick, Lima returns it. Lima lands a bit of a right. Lima lands another body kick. Lima lands a bit of a right. Lima lands another right, that one grazed the cup on the way down but Larkin shakes it off. Larkin lands a jab. Larkin lands a left body kick. Lima pushes close, neither man lands clean as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lima, 30-27 Lima overall

ROUND FOUR: Lima with some forward pressure again and lands a body kick. Larkin still southpaw, he’s got to change something up because what he’s doing isn’t really working. Lima lands an inside leg kick. Lima blocks a head kick. Larkin misses a left. Lima lands a bit of a left. Lima lands a body kick, Larkin lands a bit of a left hook then has a head kick blocked. Lima lands a jab. Larkin lands a side kick to the thigh. Larkin avoids some power punches. Lima lands a body kick after blocking some offense. Lima trips Larkin up and lands on top in his guard. Lima to half guard, Larkin wall walks and spins Lima into the fence. They spin a bit and the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Lima, 40-36 Lima overall

ROUND FIVE: They touch gloves again. Larkin showing the jab to start things, still in southpaw. Lima lands a bit of a right counter. Larkin pushing forward, trying to get things going. Larkin lands a right to the body. Lima lands a right to the body. Larkin falls a little short with a jump spinning back kick. Larkin lands a right to the body. Lima lands a jab. Larkin lands a couple of lefts then a left body kick. Lima lands a body kick. Larkin has a head kick blocked, he’s trying to turn up the offense. Lima lands a bit of a left hook. Larkin lands a body kick then eats an inside leg kick. They both miss rights, Larkin orthodox now. Larkin southpaw, and eats a body kick. They trade jabs, then Larkin avoids a right hook as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Larkin, 49-46 Lima overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER and STILL Bellator Welterweight Champion – Douglas Lima via unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47 x2)

Lima on the mic, thanks God first and foremost. He says that Larkin switching to southpaw threw him off and he puts him over as tough. He tells Rory MacDonald to come and get it, he knows MacDonald has had some tough fights but if he wants to know what a real tough fight is he needs to get in there with him.

Rory MacDonald on the analyst desk, says he found that fight underwhelming and plans on adding either of them to his growing graveyard.

Aaron Pico is one of the most hyped debuting fighters in recent memory. Pico has a sterling amateur wrestling background, he came within one point of being the first teenager in 40 years to qualify for the Olympics. He also has a solid amateur boxing background as well as international success in pankration. Pico is trying to justify that hype here and make a big first impression to the MMA world. Zach Freeman is no slouch, and a much better quality of opposition than most debutantes would face. Freeman lost his last fight and is making his Bellator debut here, he’s trying to spoil the debut of Pico and win on the biggest stage he’s fought on.

Lightweight Bout: Zach Freeman (8-2, 155.8 lbs.) vs. Aaron Pico (0-0, 156 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Freeman is four inches taller and has two and a half inches of reach on him. Freeman is also thirteen years older. Touch of gloves to get us going. Freeman lands a bit of a knee. Freeman lands a right uppercut, Pico is wobbled. Freeman jumps on a guillotine choke, he’s got it tight and Pico fights for as long as he can before tapping.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Zach Freeman via Submission, guilltoine choke, at :24 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Freeman for his work this evening. Freeman on the mic after that. He says the power of belief makes anything happen but you have to believe. He says he won the jiu-jitsu world championship with that same choke and has a lot of confidence in it. Asked who’s next he just says everyone.

Here’s the finish, nice dip off and uppercut then note the adjustment to his grip as Pico hand fights to reinforce the choke and force the tap.

Brent Primus (7-0) is undefeated and has a solid five wins in Bellator leading into this title opportunity. Primus is after his first major MMA title and looking to take out a well respected MMA veteran many consider one of the best lightweights in the world. Michael Chandler (16-3) is the reigning Bellator lightweight champion, his second tenure holding that belt. Chandler has won his last four fights and is after his second successful title defense here while further cementing his status as one of the best lightweights in the world.

Lightweight Title Bout: (c) Michael Chandler (16-3, 153.8 lbs.) vs. Brent Primus (7-0, 154.2 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Primus is two inches taller and has four inches of reach on Chandler. Circling to start, Chandler hanging the left hand early. Chandler stalking forward, Primus lands a leg kick. Chandler jabs the body then eats a leg kick. Primus lands a bit of a head kick, Chandler’s left knee is hurt and Primus is all over him. There’s something wrong with Chandler’s knee or ankle, he’s just sitting on the fence and get his leg back under him. Chandler’s leg gives out a bit, he’s still upright though. Primus not getting crazy, working leg kicks. Chandler lands a counter right that drops Primus for a second. Primus back up and Chandler’s ankle folds again. We get time for the doctor to look at the ankle. Chandler says he’s OK, commentary buries the decision to have the doctors check on the injury as an injury from a legal blow just ends the fight. The ref waves off the fight because of the injury.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER and NEW Bellator Lightweight Champion – Brent Primus via TKO, doctor stoppage due to ankle injury, at 2:22 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Primus for his work this evening. Replay clarifies that Chandler just stepped wrong when avoiding that head kick, he just rolled his ankle and never got it back. Primus on the mic now. He says he has no words for this moment, says the crowd can boo him but he’s worked hard for this and anything can happen. He thanks his home town and coaches. He says he predicted the win over Chandler and said they’d do an immediate rematch, he still wants that and puts over Chandler to close his mic time.

Chandler says they should have cut off his foot so he could keep going. He says he just wants to get back in the cage, expresses love to Bellator and the fans. He tells Primus he’s coming back with a vengeance.

Fedor Emeliankeno is regarded as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history, he went undefeated for over a decade and defeated the best heavyweights of his generation. He also brings a five fight winning streak into this bout, but he’s been visibly past his prime and actually was retired for three years leading into his return in 2015. Emelianenko is trying to prove he’s still got enough in the tank to compete. Matt Mitrione is 2-0 since coming to Bellator after getting cut by the UFC. Mitrione would score one of the biggest wins of his career here if could take out Emelianenko on this stage.

Heavyweight Bout: Fedor Emelianenko (36-4 1 NC, 236.4 lbs.) vs. Matt Mitrione (11-5, 256.6 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Mitrione is three inches taller and has three inches of reach on Emelianenko. Mitrione is also twenty pounds heavier. Mitrione fighting southpaw. And Comcast just crapped out for a second, commentary tells me they hit each other at the same time, both got rocked but Mitrione recovered first and followed up to finish Emelianenko. Replay shows that was nearly a double KO, wow.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Matt Mitrione via KO, punches, at 1:14 of Round 1

The First Round Finish Club thanks Mr. Mitrione for his work this evening. Yeah, the replay showed both men landing, both men dropping, but Mitrione got up faster and swarmed for the finish. Mitrione on the mic now. He says he told his coaches this would be like the Lewis fight, they both exploded at the same time. He gives props to Emelianenko, then tells President Trump to invite him to the White House rather than the Golden State Warriors. He talks about Tim Hague’s recent death and asks the crowd to go to the Go Fund Me for Hague’s 9 year old son. He talks about seeing Emelianenko watching his hips and then says he has little memory of the punch but jumped on Emelianenko, then closes with a “Go Big Blue”.

Neiman Gracie is undefeated as a professional including being 3-0 in Bellator, he’s trying to keep that momentum going and possibly move up in competition going forward. Dave Marfone is making his Bellator debut and trying to be the first loss for Gracie as well as make a positive impression on the biggest card he’s been on.

Welterweight Bout: Neiman Gracie (5-0, 170.4 lbs.) vs. Dave Marfone (5-2, 170.4 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Gracie is an inch taller and has an inch and a half of reach on Marfone. Touch of gloves to start things off. Marfone showing the lead hand. Gracie ducks a right and hits a double leg. Marfone scoots to the fence and is looking to wall walk. Marfone up, Gracie has his hip and has one hook in. Gracie just holding on now, Marfone spins into him and is able to push Gracie off. Gracie lands a right then slips on a kick, Marfone lets him up. Marfone misses an uppercut, they clash heads as Gracie gets a double leg into half guard. Gracie passes to full mount, Marfone shrimps to half guard. Marfone wall walks, lands a knee to the body as Gracie holds the clinch. They separate without incident. Gracie lands a bit of a right. Gracie ducks a left, fails on a takedown and Marfone makes him stand up. Gracie lands a leg kick. Marfone blocks a takedown and lands a knee to the body as they clinch. Gracie drops for a double leg, Marfone jumps for a guillotine, he’s got it but Gracie just waves the finger as the round ends.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Gracie

ROUND TWO: Some jabs traded to start the second. Gracie tries a question mark kick that doesn’t really work. Gracie lands a body kick. Gracie fails on a takedown and they’re clinched again. Gracie looking for a trip, can’t quite secure it but does get a rear waist lock. They’re just kind of hanging out on the fence, or Comcast is screwing with me again. It’s hard to say really, could be either. Yeah that was Comcast, and I missed the finish. Thanks Comcast. Gracie won though, probably via submission of some kind.

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Neiman Gracie via Submission, rear naked choke, at 2:27 of Round 2

Gracie on the mic now. He says he knew he would get the position and the win. He dedicates the win to a friend who just beat cancer. He says he wants to fight for the belt, thanks the fans for coming out.

Chael Sonnen is just 1-4 in his last five fights. He left the UFC in 2014 after multiple failed drug tests and he retired for a few years, then debuted in Bellator and was promptly submitted by Tito Ortiz. Sonnen is trying to avoid becoming an even bigger punchline in the MMA world here, if he’s to maintain any bit of relevance as a competitor he cannot afford to lose here. Wanderlei Silva is a legend of the sport but hasn’t fought since 2013 when he defeated Brian Stann, he left the UFC amid a contract dispute and drug test issues. Silva is trying to prove he’s still worth watching and get his first winning streak since 2006.

They play the national anthems for Brazil and the USA before the fight. Oh, and they have Dave Navarro to play the American anthem in the style of Jimi Hendrix. Why can’t this just end already. Just one more thing Bellator has tried that I could do without.

Light Heavyweight Bout: Chael Sonnen (29-15-1, 205.8 lbs.) vs. Wanderlei Silva (35-12-1 1 NC, 205.8 lbs.)

ROUND ONE: Sonnen is three inches taller while Silva has an inch of reach on him. Sonnen comes out southpaw. Silva misses a right, Sonnen bulls into a double leg that winds up in the guard of Silva. Sonnen lands a bit of a right, Silva looking to control his posture. Sonnen lands a couple of punches. Sonnen stands, lands a right. Silva isn’t even trying to wall walk, just kind of hanging out. Sonnen grabs a can opener to force the guard open, and does nothing once it opens. Sonnen with some rights to the body. Silva kicks him off and stands, Sonnen dives into the clinch. Sonnen can’t control him and they break. Silva lands a right then a left. Silva lands a right that drops Sonnen. Silva on top and Sonnen has full guard to tie him up. Sonnen kicks up, hits a double leg from his knees but Silva grabs a guillotine but no control of the body and Sonnen passes to half guard. Sonnen trying to set up a kimura, lands a few short elbows. Silva blocks some elbows, and time runs down.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Sonnen

ROUND TWO: Sonnen walks into a right to the body. They trade power punches, Sonnen gets wobbled from a left and dives on a double leg. Silva holding an arm in guillotine, Sonnen defending so far but it’s in at the moment. They’re stalling out, Silva can’t finish and Sonnen wont move to expose himself. Sonnen tries some weak arm punches to the kidney and the ref restarts them on the feet. Sonnen with a double leg into the guard yet again. Sonnen with some punches, not much on them. Silva can’t get up, Sonnen wont pass, and he’s doing just enough to let this stall on the ground. And the round ends in that position.

SCORECARD: 10-9 Sonnen, 20-18 Sonnen overall

ROUND THREE: Silva showing the jab, both guys a little gassed at this point. Silva lands a knee and a right. Sonnen doesn’t like that, hits a double leg and this time lands in side control. Sonnen towards mount, Silva gets full guard though. Sonnen to half guard, and I feel I could just nod off for the next three minutes and miss nothing of value. Sonnen trying to set up a kimura again, he bails on it though. Sonnen for the kimura again, Silva bucks his arm free. Sonnen gets the double wrist lock again but can’t control the wrist and Silva gets free easily. Sonnen again tries to set up the kimura, he can’t get it though. Sonnen passes to full mount. Sonnen to side control on the other side, he’s now trying to set up an arm triangle, but again can’t get close to finishing. Sonnen back to mount. Sonnen with some body shots, but he’s just coasting the final twenty seconds.

SCORECARD: 10-8 Sonnen, 30-26 Sonnen overall

OFFICIAL RESULT: †WINNER – Chael Sonnen via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27 x2)

Sonnen on the mic now. He says he hates New York, Silva shoves him as he walks past him. He says he made Tito Ortiz tap in less than a minute, then calls out Fedor.

Well that’s it for this event, I’m just glad it’s over. I’ll be back tomorrow night for UFC Fight Night 112, so stop by and follow along for that as well. In the mean time thanks for being here and sharing my pain, stay safe out there and keep checking 411mania for all of your pop culture needs.