Tag: Aaron Pico

UFC 319 live results: Dricus Du Plessis vs. Khamzat Chimaev

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

A big week for the UFC, which featured the signing of a new media rights deal, closes out with one of the most anticipated fight cards of the year as the Octagon returns to the United Center in Chicago, Illinois for the first time in six years for UFC 319.

The main event is one of the biggest fights of the year as UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis defends the title against undefeated challenger Khamzat Chimaev. Du Plessis is making his third title defense after defeating Sean Strickland in January, while Chimaev returns for the first time since October looking to improve on his perfect 14-0 record.

In the co-main event, undefeated featherweight contender Lerone Murphy welcomes the UFC debut of wrestling standout and former Bellator fighter Aaron Pico.

Also on the main card is a welterweight bout between Geoff Neal and Carlos Prates; a middleweight fight pitting Jared Cannonier against Michael Page; and a battle of former flyweight title challengers as Tim Elliott takes on Kai Asakura.

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> TUF 33 Flyweight Finale- Alibi Idiris (10-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Joseph Morales (12-2, 1-2 UFC)

They trade right away as Morales comes forward. Idiris lands a front kick to the body. Morales lands as they clinch and lands an elbow on the break. They tie up against the fence. Idiris lands some knees in the clinch. Idiris tries to trip it down but Morales reverses up and lands a knee. Morales lands an elbow and Idiris lands a right hand as they separate. Morales lands a body kick. Morales scores a takedown. Idiris lands from the bottom. Morales is looking for a choke as he lands some body shots. Morales gets the mount. Idiris gives up his back. Morales has the body triangle on as they stand. Morales with punches from the back. Morales lets go and lands a knee. He looks for a kimura as he takes the back when they go to the mat. Morales has the hooks in and has a choke locked in but Idiris survives the round. 10-9 Morales.

Idiris lands a right hand after they both swing and miss. Morales looks for a takedown but Idiris defends. Morales lands a small flurry as he was coming forward and Idiris misses a spinning attack. They tie up against the fence. They separate and Morales lands to the body. Idiris lands a high kick and Morales continues to land with volume. Morales lands to the body and Idiris is hurt. Morales drops Idiris with a right hand. Morales jumps on the back of Idiris and starts landing. Idiris is able to reverse into the guard of Morales. Morales looking for a triangle choke and it is locked in. Idiris taps! Morales picks up the win to win this season of The Ultimate Fighter!

Fight Result- Joseph Morales def. Alibi Idiris by submission (triangle choke) at 3:04 of Round 2 to win the TUF 33 Flyweight Finale

> Women’s Flyweights- #11 Karine Silva (18-5, 4-1 UFC) vs. Dione Barbosa (8-3, 2-1 UFC)

Barbosa lands a leg kick. Barbosa lands a right hand. They trade right hands. Barbosa lands a leg kick. Barbosa lands a left hook and works the jab. They trade and Barbosa is landing with more volume. Silva looks for a takedown but Barbosa defends. Barbosa lands a right hand and an elbow. Silva with a body kick and a jab as Barbosa lands a double jab. Barbosa gets a big takedown and gets the back right away looking for a choke. Silva defends it as Barbosa lands some punches. Barbosa goes for the armbar late but the horn sounds. 10-9 Barbosa.

Silva lands a leg kick. Barbosa lands an uppercut and Silva lands a combination. Silva scores a takedown. They both land punches while tied up and working to their feet. Silva trips Barbosa down to the mat. They stand and Silva lands a knee in the clinch. Barbosa lands some knees as she is in clinch control. Silva drags it down but ends up on her back. Silva looking for a triangle choke from the bottom. Silva with elbows from the bottom. Silva landing lots of shots from her back. Barbosa lands from the top. 10-9 Silva, 19-19.

Silva lands a body kick. Barbosa lands a body kick. Silva lands a right hand. She lands a left hand then a leg kick. Silva lands a combination. They tie up and Barbosa is able to score a takedown. Both look for triangle chokes and Silva looks for a guillotine choke and it was in deep but Barbosa is able to escape. Silva is on top and lands. Barbosa is able to reverse to the top and both are landing on the mat. Silva with clubbing fists from the bottom. Barbosa lands from the top. Close fight. 10-9 Silva, 29-28 Silva.

Fight Result- Karine Silva def. Dione Barbosa by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- Edson Barboza (24-12, 18-12 UFC) vs. Drakkar Klose (15-3-1, 9-3 UFC)

Barboza with some early hard leg kicks. Klose lands an inside leg kick as Barboza lands a jab. Barboza lands a right hand then a leg kick. They trade leg kicks as Klose lands a right hand and clinches up against the fence. Barboza is able to land some foot stomps and a body shot as they break. Klose lands a jab and a right hand then a left hand. They tie back up against the fence. Barboza lands a knee to the body. They separate. Barboza with a hard calf kick. Barboza with a spin kick to the body. Klose lands an uppercut. Barboza with a leg kick and a left hook to the body. Klose lands a jab and they clinch up. 10-9 Klose.

They trade in the center in close range. Barboza with a spin kick. Klose lands a right hand. Klose with a calf kick. Klose lands a right hand and then lands a few big shots against the fence that hurt Barboza. Klose with some foot stomps. They separate and Barboza lands a leg kick. They clinch back up against the fence. They break apart. Klose with a leg kick. They trade and Klose lands a solid right hand. Barboza lands a right hand and a spin kick to the body followed by a left hook. Klose lands a few big right hands that tag Barboza and they clinch back up. Barboza lands a knee to the body. They end the round there. 10-9 Klose, 20-18 Klose.

Klose lands a right hand. Barboza lands a body kick and Klose lands a right hand before they clinch up. They separate and Barboza lands a leg kick. Klose with a right hand. Barboza lands a right hand. Klose with a right hand. Barboza lands a leg kick and Klose lands a series of punches inside the pocket. Barboza with a heavy leg kick. Klose lands two solid leg kicks and a right hand. They tie back up against the fence. They separate and both throw spinning attacks. 10-9 Barboza, 29-28 Klose.

Fight Result- Drakkar Klose def. Edson Barboza by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Lightweights- Chase Hooper (16-3-1, 8-3 UFC) vs. Alexander Hernandez (16-8, 8-7 UFC)

Hooper throwing front side kicks early. He lands a body kick then a head kick and a spinning back fist. Hernandez lands a right hand. Hernandez lands a left hand and a right hand as Hooper continues to attack with front side kicks. Hernandez lands a left hand. Hooper lands a right hand. Hernandez lands as Hooper shoots for a takedown, but Hernandez defends. Hooper shoots for a long takedown and Hernandez slips away. Hooper with a leg kick. Hernandez connects as both came forward. Hooper lands in close range. Hernandez drops Hooper with a big right hand and lands punches and it is stopped right before the round ends!

Fight Result- Alexander Hernandez def. Chase Hooper by TKO (punches) at 4:58 of Round 1

> Women’s Strawweights- #5 Jessica Andrade (26-14, 17-12 UFC) vs. #11 Loopy Godinez (13-5, 8-5 UFC)

Andrade with a pair of leg kicks and a left hook. Godinez lands a combo in close range. Andrade with a leg kick. Godinez lands another combination. They trade inside the pocket. Godinez lands a right hand. Godinez lands a combo. Godinez with a jab. Godinez with a hard leg kick. Godinez lands a right hand and then a jab. Andrade lands an uppercut as Godinez lands a knee to the body. Andrade connects as she rushes forward. Godinez lands a combo ending with a body kick. Godinez lands a right hand. Andrade lands a quick flurry as she rushes in. Andrade stuns Godinez with a big combination. Andrade lands a big combo. Godinez lands a right hand. 10-9 Godinez.

They trade and Godinez gets a takedown and is in the mount position. Godinez lands from the top and gets to the back and lands before they scramble up. Godinez lands a left hook. Andrade with a leg kick. They trade and Andrade lands to the body. Godinez lands a right hand. Andrade fires back with a right hand and then lands a left hook. They trade and Godinez looked for a takedown, but Andrade defended it. Andrade rushes in and both land. Godinez lands a left hand and then looks to take it down against the fence. They separate late. 10-9 Godinez, 20-18 Godinez.

They are both throwing as Andrade is coming out pressuring and lands. Andrade keeping her foot on the gas as she lands a flurry. Andrade lands a right hand. Godinez connects with a right hand and lands a jab. They both land as they trade inside the pocket and Andrade lands a quick flurry and Godinez with a knee. Andrade with a big flurry but Godinez connects with a knee to slow it down. Godinez lands a left hand. Andrade throws a flurry. Andrade with a big right hand and Godinez has a cut opened. Andrade lands a combination, but Godinez connects with a right hand. Godinez lands a right hand and a knee. Andrade lands a combo and a leg kick. Andrade with a right hand. Godinez shoots for a takedown, but Andrade defends and lands. Andrade with a big right hand. 10-9 Andrade, 29-28 Godinez.

Fight Result- Loopy Godinez def. Jessica Andrade by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Middleweights- Gerald Meerschaert (37-19, 12-11 UFC) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (20-9 1 NC, 8-7 1 NC UFC)

Meerschaert with a leg kick. Oleksiejczuk lands a left hand. Meerschaert shoots for a takedown but Oleksiejczuk defends. Oleksiejczuk lands a left hand. Meerschaert looks for a takedown but Oleksiejczuk defends. Oleksiejczuk lands some big punches and drops Meerschaert, but he backs off and lets him up. Oleksiejczuk drops Meerschaert again and starts landing big shots from the top and it is all over! Oleksiejczuk gets the big finish in the first.

Fight Result- Michal Oleksiejczuk def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (punches) at 3:03 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Baisangur Susurkaev (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Eric Nolan (8-3, 0-0 UFC)

Nolan lands a pair of jabs. Susurkaev lands a leg kick then a high kick. Nolan connects with some shots. Susurkaev with a high kick. Nolan lands a right hand. Susurkaev lands a right hand and Nolan lands a knee as they clinch. Nolan with another knee. Nolan has clinch control. They break and Susurkaev lands a counter right hand and some punches and kicks. Susurkaev scores a takedown. Susurkaev lands from the top and they get up. Susurkaev pushes it to the fence and lands some knees. They break and Nolan rocks Susurkaev with a big knee and has Susurkaev in trouble as the round ends. 10-9 Nolan.

Susurkaev hurts Nolan with a body kick. Nolan then lands to the body and Susurkaev lands a knee to the body. Nolan rolls for a leg lock and Susurkaev ends up on top and is landing. Susurkaev works to the back of Nolan and is landing as he has the hooks in. Susurkaev with lots of big punches and he goes for a choke. He has it locked in and Nolan taps! Susurkaev gets the win after being in big trouble late in the first.

Fight Result- Baisangur Susurkaev def. Eric Nolan by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:01 of Round 2

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> Flyweights- #11 Tim Elliott (20-13-1, 9-11 UFC) vs. #15 Kai Asakura (21-5, 0-1 UFC)

Elliott coming out with his front leg in motion at all times. Asakura lands a right hand. Asakura lands a combo to the body. Asakura lands a big right hand. Elliott lands a couple of leg kicks. Asakura lands another sharp right hand. Asakura with a left hook and then lands to the body. Asakura with a stiff jab. Asakura lands a right hand. Asakura with a knee and both land left hands. Elliott lands a right hand. Asakura lands but Elliott is able to score a takedown and is in side control. Elliott with some knees to the body. Elliott lands a pair of elbows to the body as Asakura scrambles up. 10-9 Asakura.

Asakura lands some high and leg kicks early. Elliott lands a left hand. He lands another one. Asakura lands a combo. Asakura with a right hand. Elliott lands. Asakura lands a left hand. Asakura lands a combo. Elliott gets a brief takedown and jumps on the back as they stand, but Asakura escapes. Asakura lands but Elliott ducks under and scores a takedown. Asakura gets Elliott inside his guard. Elliott lands and looks for a guillotine choke and as it in from the mount. Asakura taps! What an upset win from Elliott!

Fight Result- Tim Elliott def. Kai Asakura by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:39 of Round 2

> Middleweights- #9 Jared Cannonier (18-8, 11-8 UFC) vs. #15 WW Michael Page (23-3, 2-1 UFC)

Page working the jab early. Page lands a jab. Cannonier is able to push Page to the fence. Page is defending the underhooks and lands a pair of knees. Page throws Cannonier off of him as they break apart. Page drops Cannonier with a massive right hand but lets Cannonier get right up. Cannonier looks for a takedown against the fence but Page is defending it. Cannonier with some short knees. They separate. 10-9 Page.

Page lands a right hand. Cannonier with an inside leg kick. Page lands another right hand. Page ducks under Cannonier throwing some offense. Page lands a combo and Cannonier ends up falling down and rolling and gets up. Page with a right hand. Cannonier lands a right hand. They clinch up and Cannonier gets a takedown, but Page gets right back up. They separate. Page lands a right hand. Cannonier misses a right hand but pushes Page against the fence. They break. 10-9 Page, 20-18 Page.

Page lands a leg kick. Page lands a right hand. Cannonier gets a takedown. Cannonier gets the mount and starts landing. Cannonier with an elbow from the top. Cannonier landing and looks to attack the arm. Cannonier looking to work for an arm-triangle choke. He lets go and goes back to the half-guard and lands an elbow. Cannonier ends the fight on top. 10-9 Cannonier, 29-28 Page.

Fight Result- Michael Page def. Jared Cannonier by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #11 Geoff Neal (16-6, 8-4 UFC) vs. #12 Carlos Prates (21-7, 4-1 UFC)

Neal with an inside leg kick. He lands another before going high with a kick. Prates lands a low kick. Neal with a left hand. Prates with a spin kick to the body then a low kick. Neal lands a quick flurry against the fence. Prates lands a leg kick. Prates with a combo. Prates lands a leg kick. Prates with more leg kicks. Neal lands a left hand. Prates lands a combo and Neal lands a left hand. Neal lands a right hand and Prates circles away. Prates lands a jab. Neal lands a combo ending with a right hand and Prates lands a body shot then a knee to the body of Neal. Neal lands inside. Prates lands a left hand. Prates lands a knee as Neal grabs the body lock. They break apart. Prates lands a left hand and a leg kick. Prates drops Neal with a spinning elbow right at the end of the round and Neal was out and it is all over! What a finish from Prates!

Fight Result- Carlos Prates def. Geoff Neal by knockout (spinning back elbow) at 4:59 of Round 1

> Featherweights- #6 Lerone Murphy (16-0-1, 8-0-1 UFC) vs. Aaron Pico (13-4, 0-0 UFC)

Pico lands a jab and a right hook and a body shot as they clinch against the fence. They separate and Pico lands a leg kick and a left hook to the body. They clinch and Murphy lands an elbow and has a choke locked in as they go to the mat. Pico escapes and is on top. They get to their feet and separate. Pico throws and Murphy lands a knee. Pico with a left hook to the body. Murphy then lands a spinning elbow and Pico goes down out cold! What a knockout by Murphy!

Fight Result- Lerone Murphy def. Aaron Pico by knockout (spinning elbow) at 3:21 of Round 1

> UFC Middleweight Championship- C Dricus Du Plessis (23-2, 9-0 UFC) vs. #3 Khamzat Chimaev (14-0, 8-0 UFC)

Chimaev gets a takedown right away. Chimaev gets the crucifix position and starts landing. He’s landing lots of punches as Du Plessis is trying to escape. It’s a lot of small shots to the ear that Chimaev is landing. Du Plessis gets out of the position as Chimaev stays in side control. Chimaev is just holding Du Plessis on the mat. Du Plessis is trying to get up but having no success, but not much else is happening. Chimaev gets the back and Du Plessis is able to escape for a moment but Chimaev ends up back in side control. 10-9 Chimaev.

Chimaev shoots for a takedown and has the back and lands a couple of knees. Chimaev drags Du Plessis down to the mat. Chimaev with short knees but not a lot of action is happening. Chimaev looked for a choke but Du Plessis was able to defend it. Chimaev with short knees. Chimaev with more short knees. Not a lot of damage taking place here. 10-9 Chimaev, 20-18 Chimaev.

Du Plessis lands and Chimaev shoots for a takedown and gets the back of Du Plessis and has it down. They briefly get up but Chimaev gets it down and is in side control. Chimaev gets the crucifix position and lands some short punches. Chimaev landing better in this position so far as opposed to the first. Chimaev landing and gets the mount and lands. Du Plessis gives up his back and Chimaev looks for a choke but Du Plessis is defending. 10-8 Chimaev, 30-26 Chimaev.

Chimaev lands a body kick and goes for a takedown but Du Plessis sprawls but Chimaev keeps chasing it and has the back as they go to their knees. Chimaev keeps dragging Du Plessis on the mat from the back. Du Plessis tries to roll and Chimaev ends up in side control. Chimaev has the back and they are separated and stood up. Du Plessis lands a body kick and Chimaev grabs him and gets a takedown and has the back and starts landing knees. 10-9 Chimaev, 40-35 Chimaev.

Du Plessis lands a pair of body kicks. Du Plessis lands a combo. Chimaev shoots for a takedown and gets the back and drags it to the mat. Chimaev landing from the crucifix position but lets Du Plessis out and takes the back. Chimaev lands from the back but Du Plessis is able to reverse to the top. He looked for a guillotine choke but Chimaev escapes and is inside the guard of Du Plessis. They are stood up. Chimaev with a leg kick. Du Plessis lands a body kick. Du Plessis connects with a punch. Chimaev tries a takedown but Du Plessis sprawls to defend and lands some elbows. Du Plessis gets Chimaev down and has the mount and the back and looked for a choke. 10-9 Chimaev, 50-44 Chimaev.

Fight Result- Khamzat Chimaev def. Dricus Du Plessis by unanimous decision (50-44, 50-44, 50-44) to win the UFC Middleweight Championship

Bellator at MSG live results: Sonnen-Machida, MacDonald-Gracie

Posted on by Paul Fontaine

Preview by Josh Nason

Bellator MMA returns to Madison Square Garden Friday night on DAZN for one of the bigger shows in their history with even several prelim fights piquing interest among fight fans.

In the main event, welterweight champion Rory MacDonald returns on relatively short notice to face Neiman Gracie in the Welterweight Grand Prix semifinals. MacDonald recently advanced after a draw with Jon Fitch after which he questioned he had the instinct to fight anymore given a newfound focus on religion. 

In the co-main event, Chael Sonnen battles former UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida for what is expected to be a shot at Ryan Bader’s light heavyweight title. 

In what is expected to be a great fight, bantamweight champion Darrion Caldwell rematches with RIZIN bantamweight champion Kyoji Horiguchi for Caldwell’s title. The two clashed at RIZIN’s New Year’s Eve show with Horiguchi picking up the third round submission win. If the Japanese MMA force wins Friday, he is contractually obligated to defend the belt once a year. 

The show also features super prospect Aaron Pico on the prelims trying to rebound after a brutal knockout loss and a change of camps to Jackson-Winkeljohn, the return of BJJ ace and Conor McGregor teammate Dillion Danis for the first time after the post-fight McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov brawl, and several female fights on the prelims that have garnered interest for several reasons.

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In the early prelims:

“Queen” Rena Kubota was submitted in the first round of her US debut, losing to Lindsey Van Zandt, who moved to 6-1 with the win. 

“Master” Valerie Lloureda beat Hooters waitress Larkyn Dasch by unanimous decision to move to 2-0

Robson Gracie Jr moved to 2-0 with a slick submission win over Oscar Vera. His cousin fights for the welterweight belt later tonight. 

Featherweights Aaron Pico (4-2) vs Adam Borics (12-0)

Much more measured first round by Pico, who is usually either finished or finishes his opponent in quick fashion. He was patient and took his unbeaten opponent down several times but didn’t do a ton of damage on the feet or the ground but enough to win the round easily. 10-9 Pico

Pico just kept taking down Borics over and and over but then got caught with a flying knee and finished. 

Official result – Adam Borics (13-0) by KO at 3:55 of Round 2

There was talk of having Pico fight for the featherweight title with champion Patricio Pitbull also holding the 155 lb belt. Now you’d have to think he may be hard pressed to get a spot in the upcoming Grand Prxi tourney in that weight class. Devastating loss for Bellator’s top prospect. 

More prelim action with world boxing champion Heather Hardy dropping to 2-2 after being stopped in the first round by Taylor Turner, who came in with a 3-5 record and dominated Hardy on her way to a TKO win. 

Bellator Bantamweight title fight –

Champion Darrion Caldwell (12-2) vs Kyoji Horiguchi (27-2)

Both guys threw kicks from distance before Caldwell got a takedown less than a minute in. Caldwell rocks Horiguchi with a an elbow to the head. Caldwell lands a couple more hard elbows as Horiguchi tries to get to his feet. Horiguchi landing light punches from a sitting position while Caldwell maintains top control. Caldwell gets him to his back again and lans some hard punches to the head and then more elbows. Ref stands them up, claiming that Caldwell was holding Horiguchi’s glove. 10-9 Caldwell

Horiguchi advancing to start round 2 but Caldwell doing his best to keep at distance early. Caldwell gets a takedown 2 minutes in. Horiguchi landing punches to the body from a sitting position on the ground. These shots seem harder than the ones he was landing in the first. Horiguchi briefly to his feet but Caldwell drags him right down. No ground work from Caldwell. Horiguchi continuing to land punches from sitting but the ref stands them up with 20 seconds left. Horiguchi advancing and landing punches from distance on the standup. Tough round to score. 10-9 Horiguchi, 19-19

Horiguchi lands a knee to the body and then stuffs a takedown attempt with a guillotine. Horiguchi landing punches to the body and head and then ends up in top position. Horiguchi continuing to land enough to avoid a standup while maintaining top position. Horiguchi stands up with 2 minutes left and Caldwell follows. Caldwell with another takedown attempt but Horiguchi sprawls out and ends up on top again. Horiguchi takes the back and lands hard punches but Caldwell to his feet with a minute left. Both guys trading hard shots. Horiguchi sprawls out of another takedown attempt but this time Caldwell ends up on top. Horiguchi landing punches from a sitting position again. Horiguchi to his feet but eats a hard knee to the head at the bell. 10-9 Horiguchi, 29-28

Horiguchi with a knockdown early in the 4th and goes for a front choke but Caldwell pops out and ends up in top position. Again, Horiguchi in a sitting position against the cage and landing light punches to the head and body. Caldwell doing absolutely nothing in top position. Crowd booing heavily. Caldwell briefly postures up to improve position but ends up back in the same spot and still eating the light punches from Horiguchi. Ref has warned them to work a couple times and finally stands them up with 90 seconds left. Caldwell misses a takedown attempt badly with 45 seconds left. Caldwell takes it to a cage clinch with 15 seconds left but Horiguchi gets control before the bell and takes him down. 10-9 Horiguchi, 39-37 overall

Caldwell gets a takedown 45 seconds in and they end up in the exact same position with Horiguchi sitting with his back to the cage. Crowd boos this instantly. Horiguchi again landing light punches to the head and body. Caldwell just laying on top of him. Horiguchi appears to be setting up a guillotine. Ref not even warning them to work even though their is almost no action besides the punches from Horiguchi, which have no power behind them. Horiguchi to his feet and eats a hard knee. Caldwell with a takedown but Horiguchi landing elbows to the head and ends up reversing position. They end up back in the same position with Horiguchi sitting with his back to the cage. More elbows from Horiguchi and punches to the body. Caldwell did open a cut under Horiguchi’s right eye with an elbow. 10-9Horiguchi, 49-46 overall

Official result – Kyoji Horiguchi (28-2) by unanimous decision (48-47; 49-46 x 2)

Horiguchi is the first Japanese fighter to win a US-based world title in MMA. He apologized to the fans for the lack of action in the fight. This was his 13th straight MMA win since losing a UFC flyweight title fight against Demetrious Johnson. 

Featherweights Eduardo Dantas (21-6) vs Juan Archuleta (22-1)

Both guys staying very far apart early. Ref warning one of them for extending fingers but hard to tell which one. Archuleta seems more willing to engage but they barely touch in the first 90 seconds. Archuleta lands some jabs as he moves in. Dantas lands a nice spinning back fist. Archuleta tries to clinch up and then gets a takedown but Dantas right up. Archuleta controlling his back standing. Archuleta landing knees to the back of the legs. Archuleta lands some foot stomps. Dantas blatantly grabbing the cage but the ref not noticiing. Dantas works him around to front position but Archuleta still controlling the clinch. Ref warns them to work with 45 seconds left. They separate on their own with 30 seconds left. Archuleta lands a couple high kicks before the bell. 10-9 Archuleta

Nice punch exchange to open the round as Dantas is a little more aggressive. He’s pushed back by a flurry from Archuleta, though. Dantas starting to control the pace. Archuleta with a nice punch combo at 1:15 and then a takedown attempt stuffed by Dantas. Archuleta ends up in control of a cage clinch. Dantas with cuts around both eyes but takes control of the clinch. They separate at 2:00. Dantas gets off a nice punch combo. Archuleta rocks Dantas with a punch combo at 3:30. Dantas misses a spinning back fist and almost falls over. Archuleta with another punch combo with 15 seconds left and then knocks Dantas out with a hard right just before the bell. One punch KO. 

Official result – Juan Archuleta (23-1) by KO (punch) at 4:59 of the 2nd round

They brought out a stretcher for Dantas but he managed to leave the cage on his own power. It was a vicious KO with Dantas doing a flat back bump and his head bouncing off the canvas. This was Archuleta’s 18th straight win and he asked for a world title shot at either 135 or 145 and specifically called out Horiguchi, sayiing he won’t leave the States with the belt over and over again. He claims he’s the #1 contender in 3 division, including 155 and said he wants all 3 belts. The promo was very reminiscent of Henry Cejudo and not necessarily in a good way.  

Bantamweights Ricky Bandejas (11-2) vs Patrick Mix (10-0)

Mix takes the back standing and secures a body triangle. Mix with elbows to the head as he sets up a choke. Mix secures the rear naked choke and drags him to the mat, getting the tap. 

Official result – Patrick Mix (11-0) by submission (rear naked choke) at 1:06

He said it meant everything to him to win in his home state and he called out James Gallagher, who Ricky Bandejas had beaten in a previous fight. 

Catchweight (175 lbs) Dillon Dannis (1-0) vs Max Humphrey (3-2)

Dannis goes for a leg seconds in but Humphrey shakes him off. Dannis gets him down at 30 seconds and lands some punches. Dannis continues to land punches as he takes the back. Dannis with full back mount and landing hard punches. Ref warns Humphreys to fight back. Humphrey to his knees and Dillon now setting up a choke. Dannis secures the body lock and briefly locks on the choke but Humphrey fights it off. Dannis into mount at 3:00 but then takes the back again. Humphrey breaks the body lock briefly but Dannis secures it again and now going for a Kimura. Dannis landing hammer fists to the head and then transitions to the belly down armbar for a quick tap. 

Official result – Dillon Dannis (2-0) by submission (armbar) at 4:28

Dannis basically toyed with Humphrey, clearly wanting a TKO win but then “settling” for the submission. He claimed to the best in the world and called out Rory McDonald and Jon Jones. 

Light heavyweights Chael Sonnen (30-16-1) vs Lyoto Machida (25-8)

Sonnen goes for a takedown to open and ends up in control of a cage clinch. They separate on their own at 1:00. Nice punch exchange and then Sonnen takes hiim down. Sonnen takes the back. Machida to his feet but Sonnen still controlling the back. Machida shakes him off and Sonnen controlling the cage clinch. Sonnen connecting with foot stomps. Separation at 2:45. Machida lands a couple hard body kicks and a flying knee knocks Sonnen down. Machida on top landing punches to the head. Machida landing hammer fists and elbows to the head and Sonnen not fighting back. Machida with hard elbows to the body. Sonnen turtling as Machida lays in more punches with 30 seconds left. Sonnen to his feet and in control of a clinch at 4:45. 10-8 Machida

Machida knocks Sonnen down with a knee to open round 2 and again all over him with punches on the ground and the ref stops it. 

Official result – Lyoto Machida (26-8) by TKO (punches) at 22 seconds of the 2nd round

Sonnen had his gloves in his hands and motioned to Big John that he wanted to talk after Machida. Machida thanked Sonnen for taking the fight and put him over as a tough competitor and asked the fans to cheer for him, which they did. 

Sonnen said he probably lost the first round. He said he’s had a lot of fun and he’s walking out, he appreciates the memories and goodbye. He then laid his gloves in the centre of the cage. 

Main event for the Bellator Welterweight title and the semi-finals of the Bellator World Welterweight Grand Prix –

Champion Rory MacDonald (20-5-1) vs Neiman Gracie (9-0)

Gracie throwing kicks and punches from distance early. Rory lands a nice head kick 1:00 in. Gracie shoots for a takedown but stuffed. Gracie with leg kicks and jabs from distance. They trade hard punches to the head at 3:15. MacDonald starting to find his range late in the round. MacDonald catches a kick and pushes Gracie back to the fence but doesn’t go for the kill. MacDonald showing damage from the leg kicks late iin the round. Close round, 10-9 Gracie

Gracie with a trip takedown to start round 2. MacDonald with a leg lock attempt and briefly gets to his feet. Gracie with a kneebar attempt but MacDonald escapes. Both to their feet at 1:15. They clinch in the center and MacDonald lands knees to the body. Gracie takes it to the cage and then takes the back standing. Gracie gets him down but MacDonald sweeps into top position. Gracie secures a body lock from his back. MacDonald landing punches to the head while Gracie seems to be setting up a triangle from his back. MacDonald with elbows to the head in the last minute. MacDonald postures up to improve position and drops a couple of hammer fists. 10-9 MacDonald, 19-19

MacDonald landing punches from distance early in the 3rd. Gracie with some swelling around his left eye. Gracie moves in for a takedown at 2:00 but MacDonald stuffs it. MacDonald with a takedown and moves right into side control. Gracie works hiim back to half guard. MacDonald stands up to improve position but then goes back into guard at 2;45. Gracie ties him up with a body lock. MacDonald landing punches to the body and head fom the top. Gracie sweeps into top position and secures an armbar. MacDonald fights it off and regains top position. 10-9 MacDonald, 29-28 overall

Gracie pressing the action to start round 4. Gracie landing jabs from distance. Gracie with a takedown attempt blocked but ends up taking the back standing at 2:00. Gracie manages to drag him to the mat while maintaining back control. MacDonald sweeps into top position at 3:00. Gracie maintains the body lock from his back. MacDonald landing hard punches to the head with 30 seconds left and breaks the body lock. MacDonald stands up but Gracie stays on his back as the round ends. 10-9 MacDonald, 39-37

Gracie attempts a takedown and ends up in control of a cage clinch 30 seconds in. Gracie gets him down at 1:00. Gracie moves into mount at 1:15. MacDonald works him back to half guard at 2:45 and didn’t take any damage while he was being mounted. MacDonald works him back to full guard at 3:45. Crowd starting to boo. Gracie with a heel hook attempt with 15 seconds left. MacDonald escapes at the bell. 10-9 Gracie, 48-47 MacDonald overall

Official result – Rory MacDonald (21-5-1) by unanimous decision (49-46; 48-47 x 2)

MacDonald advances to the tournament final where he’ll face former 2-time champion Douglas Lima later this year for the title and the $1 million grand prize. 

JNPO: Aaron Pico career blame, Badermania, Royal Rumble chatter

Posted on by Josh Nason

Image: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

Between NXT TakeOver, the Royal Rumble and Bellator MMA, last weekend was another great one for combat sports couch potatoes.

I had a few things to get off my chest with all the happenings, so I brought in pro wrestling fan and MMA Fighting deputy managing editor Marc Raimondi back into our Punch-Out life to be my podcast sounding board.

Among the things we talked about:

  • His feelings on last Sunday’s Royal Rumble and what we liked and didn’t like
  • How he was able to catch some of TakeOver while on press row for Saturday’s Bellator show
  • Who is to blame for how Aaron Pico’s promising career has stopped and started at this early stage
  • The feel-good story that is new Bellator champ-champ Ryan Bader
  • What our hopes and dreams are with the meat of the UFC-ESPN era kicking off this weekend
  • The rise of the A Side podcast on MMA Fighting and what people have requested the most

As the kids say, it’s a fun show as always so check it out.

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WOR: Bellator MMA president Scott Coker and rising star Aaron Pico

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

On the eve of one of the promotion’s biggest nights of the year, our Dave Meltzer sat down with Bellator MMA president Scott Coker and rising star Aaron Pico (seen above) as they prepare for Saturday’s Bellator 206 event in San Jose, CA, the first of their new partnership with streaming service DAZN.

Kicking off with Pico, Dave discussed his fight with Leandro Higo Saturday, recovering from his debut loss at Madison Square Garden, his skillset in various disciplines, his near miss of making the U.S. Olympic team as a wrestler, when he wants to get a title shot, and more.

At the 12:00 mark, Dave talks with Coker, someone he’s known for years dating back to the Strikeforce days. The two discuss the DAZN deal, their focus on the UK market and the specific series, some potential matchmaking, the McKee family fighting on the same card in January, Saturday’s San Jose show, and more.

Click below to listen.

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Bellator’s Aaron Pico goes for Olympic wrestling team berth tonight

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Bellator’s Aaron Pico will be going for an Olympic wrestling team berth tonight when he faces Frank Molinaro in the 143 pound weight division final.

Pico, 19, from Whittier CA, is attempting to become the first teenager to make the Olympic team in freestyle wrestling in 40 years.

Pico has two prior wins over Molinaro, but Molinaro has had a killer tournament thus far in beating Logan Steiber, the four-time NCAA champion, as well a Brent Metcalf, one of the best U.S. wrestlers of the modern era, and like Steiber, a former Hodge trophy winner.

Pico and Ed Ruth were both signed by Bellator as amateur stars who will debut in MMA after the Olympics, or sooner if they fail to make the Olympic team.

Pico, was considered perhaps the best teenage prospect in decades as he was named pound-for-pound the best high school wrestlers in the country while only a freshman, where he went 42-0, with no close bouts, in taking the California state title. He was world champion in his age group in 2013, and against older competitors in the junior division, took third in the 2014 and 2015 world championships.

Still, because of how loaded the 143 pound division was, he was considered a long shot to make the team. With Metcalf, Steiber, Molinaro, Jordan Oliver, Zain Retheford, Jayson Ness and Reece Humphrey, it was considered the most loaded division in the tournament.

While growing up, Pico won a number of boxing and Pankration tournaments and Bellator signed him in 2014, shortly after his 18th birthday, to essentially a futures contract and he was introduced on one of the company’s major shows.

The finals at 143 will air on NBC Sports tonight at some point after 7 p.m. Eastern and 4 p.m. Pacific.

Many of the top wrestlers in the recent NCAA tournament are competing for slots on the team. Nick Gwiazdowski, who placed second at heavyweight, is in the super heavyweight division with the finals tonight.

Kyle Snyder, 20, the NCAA heavyweight champion and defending world champion, will compete at 215 pounds, will be in a tournament tomorrow.