Tag: Michael Venom Page

UFC 299 live results: Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera 2

Posted on March 9, 2024 by Ryan Frederick

The Octagon returns to the Sunshine State for a massive event with UFC 299 from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley makes his first title defense in a heated rematch against rival Marlon Vera. The two fought in August 2020 in a fight Vera won by first round TKO after O’Malley suffered an ankle injury. Since then, O’Malley hasn’t lost in his rise to become champion as he looks to avenge the only loss of his career.

The co-main event sees Dustin Poirier vs. Benoit Saint-Denis in a five-round lightweight bout. Also on the main card is the UFC debut of former Bellator star Michael “Venom” Page, who takes on Kevin Holland in welterweight action; former title challenger Gilbert Burns vs. Jack Della Maddalena in a welterweight bout; and former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan looking to get back in the win column against Song Yadong.

The prelims are loaded with lots of talent including Curtis Blaydes, Maycee Barber, Pedro Munhoz, Michel Pereira, Mateusz Gamrot, Katlyn Cerminara, Ion Cutelaba, Joanne Wood, Jailton Almeida and former UFC lightweight champion Rafael Dos Anjos.

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> Women’s Flyweights- Joanne Wood (16-8, 8-8 UFC) vs. Maryna Moroz (11-5, 6-5 UFC)

Wood throwing kicks to start. They trade and Moroz is able to get a takedown. Moroz with some body shots from the top. Wood with an elbow from the bottom. Moroz with more body shots from the top then lands to the head. Moroz with more punches from the top. Moroz looking to set up an arm-triangle choke as she continues to land to the body. She lets go and lands some left hands. Wood goes for the leg. Moroz maintains top position and continues to land. Moroz with some heavy punches. 10-9 Moroz.

Wood lands a leg kick then a right hand. They clinch after trading and Moroz pushes it to the fence. Wood lands some knees as Moroz then presses her against the fence. Moroz landing some knees then they trade knees before separating. Moroz lands a right hand. Wood with a combination and Moroz lands a counter right hand. Wood with a front kick to the body. We have a timeout for a groin strike but they continue and trade. Moroz lands a combo and Wood counters with a nice right hand. They both land inside the pocket before clinching. Moroz lands a knee on the break. Moroz with a right hand. They trade and Wood partially lands a spinning back fist. They both land hard punches. Moroz with a left hook. Close round. 10-9 Wood, 19-19.

They trade to start the third and Moroz lands a hard body kick. Wood with a leg kick then they clinch. Moroz pushes it against the fence. Wood lands a body kick as they break. Moroz lands a kick and Wood gets a brief takedown but they get right to their feet. Moroz lands a right hand and they trade right hands. Wood lands a front kick to the body that partially hits the face. Moroz lands a standing elbow. Wood lands a stiff jab and a big right hand. Wood lands a right hand. Moroz is throwing and pushing the pace but Wood is landing more. They trade kicks. Wood lands a combo and they clinch. Wood lands a big spinning back fist that about dropped Moroz but the fence kept her up. Wood pushing forward and landing some big punches. Wood landing big shots and they trade late. Really good fight. 10-9 Wood, 29-28 Wood.

Official Result- Joanne Wood def. Maryna Moroz by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

> Flyweights*- CJ Vergara (12-4-1, 3-2 UFC) vs. Asu Almabayev (18-2, 1-0 UFC)

*Vergara missed weight by one pound

Almabayev lands a hard calf kick. Almabayev with a jab then a body kick. Almabayev with a spin kick to the body. They trade leg kicks and Almabayev lands a body kick. Almabayev shoots for a takedown but Vergara sprawls. Almabayev pushes it to the fence and secures the takedown. They get to their feet. Almabayev gets a brief takedown and has the back. Almabayev working hard to get it down as Vergara lands some knees to defend. They separate and Almabayev lands a spin kick to the body. They trade right hands and Vergara lands a solid left hook. Almabayev gets a takedown. Almabayev gets the mount and lands from the top. 10-9 Almabayev.

Vergara lands a leg kick. Vergara with a high kick and they trade punches. Vergara lands a body kick as Almabayev lands a right hand. Vergara lands a right hand. He lands another. Almabayev with a hard calf kick. Almabayev gets a takedown. Almabayev landing from the top. Almabayev landing from the top and looked to set up a choke but abandoned it and got the back. They stand and Almabayev gets it down and has back control. Almabayev lands before they scramble up and Almabayev lands a knee. 10-9 Almabayev, 20-18 Almabayev.

Vergara lands a body kick as Almabayev shoots for a takedown. Almabayev lands a right hand then a hard body kick. Almabayev gets it down and takes the back. They get to their feet and Vergara lands some body kicks. Almabayev with a spinning wheel kick to the chin. He shoots for a takedown but Vergara defends though Almabayev lands a big knee and head kick. Vergara lands a right hand. Almabayev gets a takedown. They get to their feet. Vergara lands a body kick and Almabayev gets another takedown. Almabayev gets the back. Almabayev looking for a choke. Vergara gets out of it. They end the fight there. 10-9 Almabayev, 30-27 Almabayev.

Official Result- Asu Almabayev def. CJ Vergara by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Heavyweights- Robelis Despaigne (4-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. Josh Parisian (15-7, 2-4 UFC)

Despaigne lands a right hand and slips on a head kick. Despaigne then drops Parisian with a big right hand and it is all over.

Official Result- Robelis Despaigne def. Josh Parisian by knockout (punch) at :18 of Round 1

> Middleweights- Michel Pereira (29-11 2 NC, 7-2 UFC) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (19-6 1 NC, 7-4 1 NC UFC)

Pereira with a pair of body kicks. He lands another hard body kick then a big right hand to the body. Pereira with some knees then locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Oleksiejczuk goes out cold. What a showing from Pereira!

Official Result- Michel Pereira def. Michal Oleksiejczuk by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:01 of Round 1

> Light Heavyweights- Ion Cutelaba (17-9-1 1 NC, 6-8-1 UFC) vs. Philipe Lins (17-5, 3-2 UFC)

Lins with a leg kick. He lands another. Cutelaba with an inside leg kick. Lins with another leg kick. Cutelaba with a leg kick and Lins returns one. Lins with a leg kick and Cutelaba just misses some punches and eats another leg kick from Lins. Cutelaba trips Lins up with some kicks but he gets up and they trade punches. Lins looks for a takedown as he has a leg but lets go. Cutelaba lands an elbow and Lins counters with a right hand and leg kick. Lins with a right hand then a leg kick then a combo. They trade in a wild exchange. They have a wild exchange against the fence and Lins lands a leg kick. 10-9 Lins.

Lins lands a leg kick. He lands another and Cutelaba is having trouble standing. Lins lands another. Cutelaba lands a right hand. They trade wild punches. Lins gets the back and pushes it to the fence. Lins is able to get it down with a trip and is working in Cutelaba’s half-guard. Lins with some body shots then he stands. Lins lands some big punches as Cutelaba gets to his feet and they tie up against the fence. They break apart. Lins with a leg kick. 10-9 Lins, 20-18 Lins.

Lins with another leg kick. Lins lands a left hand. Cutelaba lands a couple of right hands. Lins gets a takedown. They scramble up and Cutelaba looks for a kimura but Lins gets it back down. They scramble but Lins is able to keep it down though they get to their feet. They separate. Cutelaba lands a left hook. Lins grabs the single leg. We have a timeout for an illegal elbow. They get back to action and trade punches. They clinch and Lins with some knees. They are separated. Lins circling away as he is tired. Lins lands a left hand. Lins lands a big left hook. 10-9 Lins, 30-27 Lins.

Official Result- Philipe Lins def. Ion Cutelaba by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

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> Bantamweights- #13 Pedro Munhoz (20-8 2 NC, 10-8 2 NC) vs. Kyler Phillips (11-2, 5-1 UFC)

Phillips with a leg kick and a combo. Munhoz with a leg kick. Phillips lands a right hand. Phillips with a body kick. Phillips lands a combo. Phillips throws and Munhoz is able to get a takedown. They get up and we have a timeout for an eye poke. They get back to action and trade with Phillips landing a high kick. They trade right hands. Munhoz lands a combo and Phillips circles away. Phillips with a leg kick. They trade right hands. Phillips with a spin kick to the body. Phillips hurts Munhoz with some punches. Phillips lands a jumping knee then an uppercut and a head kick. Phillips with a combo then a knee but lands another eye poke. They get back to action and Phillips lands a body kick. 10-9 Phillips.

Phillips lands a combo but Munhoz lands a pair of leg kicks. Phillips with a leg kick. He lands another. They trade jabs. Munhoz lands a right hand. Phillips with a leg kick. Phillips with a body kick. Phillips lands a combination. Munhoz with a body kick. Phillips with a side kick to the chin. Munhoz lands a left hand. Munhoz with a body kick. They trade punches. Phillips with a left hand to the body then an overhand right. Phillips with a leg kick then a body kick. Phillips lands a left hand and Munhoz lands a right hand. Phillips with a late spin kick. 10-9 Phillips, 20-18 Phillips.

Phillips with a body kick. Phillips lands a combo. Phillips with a combo then some kicks and a spinning back kick to the body. Phillips lands a right hand. They trade right hands. Munhoz with some leg kicks and Phillips lands a combination. Phillips with a leg kick. They trade punches. Phillips with a combination and lands a head kick. Phillips lands some jabs then some kicks. They have a wild exchange late. 10-9 Phillips, 30-27 Phillips.

Official Result- Kyler Phillips def. Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Lightweights- #6 Mateusz Gamrot (23-2 1 NC, 6-2 UFC) vs. #11 Rafael Dos Anjos (32-15, 21-13 UFC)

Gamrot with a combination. Gamrot lands a body kick. Dos Anjos lands a knee that stuns Gamrot. Gamrot tries a takedown but Dos Anjos defends and then Dos Anjos knocks Gamrot down with a left hand. Gamrot tries to get it down but they get to their feet and separate. They trade punches. Dos Anjos lands a left hand and a body kick. Dos Anjos lands a big left hand. Gamrot gets a takedown and Dos Anjos grabs the neck. Gamrot working from the top. Gamrot landing from the top and Dos Anjos grabbed the fence. Nice comeback in the round from Gamrot. 10-9 Gamrot.

Dos Anjos with a leg kick. Dos Anjos lands a body kick and Gamrot looks for a takedown. Gamrot gets it down briefly and has the back as they get to their feet. Gamrot with a back trip and lands short right hands. They get up and separate. Gamrot gets it back down for a moment and has the back as they stand. Gamrot gets it back down for a moment as they’re tied up against the fence. They separate and Gamrot gets it back down. They get back up and separate. Gamrot lands a left hand. 10-9 Gamrot, 20-18 Gamrot.

They trade punches. Gamrot lands a right hand. Gamrot briefly gets it down but they get right to the feet. Gamrot tries a takedown but Dos Anjos sprawls. They keep getting up and Gamrot keeps getting takedowns. Gamrot lands a straight left hand and follows it with a flurry. Gamrot lands a right hand. 10-9 Gamrot, 30-27 Gamrot.

Official Result- Mateusz Gamrot def. Rafael Dos Anjos by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Women’s Flyweights- #4 Katlyn Cerminara (18-5, 11-5 UFC) vs. #6 Maycee Barber (13-2, 8-2 UFC)

Barber lands to start. They clinch up and Cerminara lands some knees. They separate and trade before clinching and pushing against the fence. They go to the mat for a moment but pop right up. Cerminara with some short knees as Barber is trying to break the clinch. They trade knees. Barber lands a right hand and they break. Cerminara looks for a takedown but Barber sprawls and lands some punches. Barber with a high kick and they tie back up. Barber lands an elbow and Cerminara as they break, but they clinch right back up. Barber with an elbow and right hand as Cerminara lands a knee. They separate and Barber lands a left hook. They tie up and Barber with a knee. They trade knees. 10-9 Barber.

Barber lands a leg kick and Cerminara with a right hand. Barber lands to the body then a left hand to the head. Cerminara lands a right hand. Cerminara lands as Barber rushes in. Cerminara lands a right hand as Barber lands a leg kick. Cerminara lands a right hand and is landing slightly more here. Barber gets a brief takedown but they get right back up and Barber has body control. Barber lands an elbow. They trade knees. Barber with a pair of knees and Cerminara is landing to the body. Barber gets a late takedown and lands on the mat. Close round. 10-9 Cerminara, 19-19.

Cerminara lands a right hand then a high kick. Barber rushes forward throwing and they tie up. Cerminara gets a brief takedown but they pop up and Cerminara lands a knee as they break. Cerminara with a body kick. Barber lands a big right hand and then another before they clinch. Barber is able to get a takedown. Cerminara attacks the leg but Barber spins out and they get to their feet remaining in the clinch. Barber with a right hand and lands as they break. Cerminara lands a combo. Barber lands some high kicks. Cerminara with a body kick then a leg kick. They clinch and both land before breaking. Barber with a body kick. Cerminara lands a knee. Barber gets Cerminara down to the mat late but they pop right up and trade late. Close fight. 10-9 Barber, 29-28 Barber.

Official Result- Maycee Barber def. Katlyn Cerminara by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

> Heavyweights- #5 Curtis Blaydes (17-4 1 NC, 12-4 1 NC UFC) vs. #7 Jailton Almeida (20-2, 6-0 UFC)

Almeida shoots for a takedown but Blaydes defends. Almeida has it pushed against the fence and gets it down. He has the back as they stand. Almeida has the body lock and gets a big takedown. They get up and Almeida briefly gets it down but they get right back up. Almeida drags it back down and is looking for full back control. Almeida keeps taking Blaydes down. Almeida still has the back and keeps taking Blaydes down as they get up and isn’t letting go. 10-9 Almeida.

They trade. Almeida looks for a takedown but Blaydes defends and starts landing lots of punches and he finishes Almeida! Wow, that came out of nowhere.

Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Jailton Almeida by TKO (punches) at :36 of Round 2

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> Bantamweights- #4 Petr Yan (16-5, 8-4 UFC) vs. #7 Song Yadong (21-7-1 1 NC, 10-2-1 UFC)

Yadong lands a left hook. Yan with a leg kick. Yan lands a right hand. Yan lands a leg kick as Yadong lands a left hook. Yadong lands a left hand as he went for a takedown. Yan lands a combo to the body. Yan lands a jab and Yadong returns fire with a leg kick. Yadong lands a right hand. Yan with a body kick as Yadong lands a jab. Yan with a body kick. Yadong gets a takedown and has the back of Yan. Thy get up but Yadong gets it back down for a moment and still has the back. Yadong with some knees. Yan tries to roll out but Yadong scrambles and keeps back control. Yadong with right hands as they stand and separate. 10-9 Yadong.

Yadong lands a leg kick. Yadong landing punches as he pushes Yan against the fence. Yan lands an uppercut. Yadong gets the back as they go to the fence. Yadong with some knees and Yan lands some back elbows. They separate and trade before a timeout for a tape issue. They get back to action and Yan is trying for a takedown but Yadong defends. Yan defends a takedown attempt and lands a body kick. Yan with a jab. Yan lands a combination. They trade to the body. Yan lands an uppercut and Yadong lands a combo. Yan lands to the body as Yadong lands a right hand. Yan gets a takedown. Yan landing from the top and Yadong has a cut opened up. 10-9 Yan, 19-19.

They trade and Yan gets a brief takedown but they pop up and both land. Yadong lands the jab. Yan with a wheel kick to the head of Yadong. Yadong with a combo in close range. Yadong lands a right hand that makes Yan stumble. Yan tries a takedown and lands an uppercut. They trade jabs. Yadong lands a right hand. Yadong tries a takedown but Yan defends. Yan with an uppercut followed by a jab. Yadong working the jab. Yan lands a right hand. Yadong with a right hand. Yan lands a jab. Yan gets a takedown. Yan landing from the top. Yan has neck control late. Fun fight. 10-9 Yan, 29-28 Yan.

Official Result- Petr Yan def. Song Yadong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Welterweights- #4 Gilbert Burns (22-6, 15-6 UFC) vs. #11 Jack Della Maddalena (16-2, 6-0 UFC)

Burns lands a body kick then a leg kick. Burns with a body kick and they trade jabs. Burns with a high kick then scores a takedown. Burns has the back and drags it down. Maddalena lands a big knee as he pushes Burns off of him. Maddalena lands a left hand. Burns lands a right hand. Maddalena with a pair of left hands. They trade in close range. Burns with a body kick. Burns with a late takedown and he lands from the top. 10-9 Burns.

Burns lands a right hand as Maddalena lands a body kick. Burns lands a body kick. Maddalena lands a left hand. Burns gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Maddalena lands a left hand. Burns lands an elbow. Double jab from Maddalena. Burns lands a right hand. Maddalena lands a combination. Burns lands a big right hand. Burns gets a takedown. Burns gets the back and is looking for the arm. Maddalena landing some punches. 10-9 Burns, 20-18 Burns.

Maddalena with a leg kick. Maddalena lands a right hand then a left hand. Maddalena lands a head kick and follows with some left hands. Burns looks for a takedown as Maddalena is defending. Burns gets it down and has the back but Maddalena rolls out to his feet. Maddalena then drops Burns with a knee to the body and starts pounding away with big punches and elbows. He continues to pour it on and gets the finish! What a finish from Maddalena!

Official Result- Jack Della Maddalena def. Gilbert Burns by TKO (elbows) at 3:43 of Round 3

> Welterweights- #13 Kevin Holland (25-10 1 NC, 12-7 1 NC UFC) vs. Michael Page (21-2, 0-0 UFC)

Page with a leg kick. Holland lands a leg kick. Page lands a big right hand. Holland lands a leg kick. Page lands a jab and they clinch. They separate. Page lands a right hand. Page lands a leaping elbow. Page lands a jab and takes the back of Holland but lets go as he lands a left hand. Page with a body kick then a combo and lands a big right hand. Holland lands a left hand. Page lands a right hand. They clinch. They break away and Page lands a big right hand. Page with an uppercut. Holland lands a leg kick. They clinch back up but break. Page lands a spinning elbow. 10-9 Page.

Holland lands a right hand and they briefly clinch. Page lands a right hand. Page lands a pair of right hands. Page tried a spin kick and slipped to the mat and allowed Holland to grab the back. Holland gets it down and looks for a choke. He lets go and lands some elbows. They work their way to the feet. Page lands a right hand. He lands another as Holland rushes in. Holland lands a leg kick. Page lands a right hand. He lands another and Holland stumbles to the mat. Page with a spinning elbow. 10-9 Page, 20-18 Page.

Page lands a right hand and Holland stumbles down but Page lets him up. Holland gets the back and tries to get it down. They separate and Page lands a big right hand. Page lands a head kick then a big elbow. Page landing with more volume here as Holland is swinging and missing. Page’s movement has been incredible here. They clinch late. 10-9 Page, 30-27 Page.

Official Result- Michael Page def. Kevin Holland by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Lightweights- #3 Dustin Poirier (29-8 1 NC, 21-7 1 NC UFC) vs. #12 Benoit Saint-Denis (13-1 1 NC, 5-1 UFC)

Saint-Denis with a pair of leg kicks. Poirier lands a calf kick. Saint-Denis shoots for a takedown and Poirier nearly had a guillotine choke in. Saint-Denis rolls out and has the back on the feet. Saint-Denis is on the back but Poirier shakes him off. Saint-Denis with some knees. Poirier tried to grab the neck and they separate. Poirier with a left hand. Saint-Denis with a combo then a knee and elbow. Saint-Denis with more knees as Poirier pushes it against the fence. Saint-Denis with some body shots and elbows. Poirier lands a right hand. They trade. Poirier tries a guillotine but Saint-Denis shakes it off. Saint-Denis has the back on the mat. Saint-Denis tries to find a choke and looked for a late armbar. 10-9 Saint-Denis.

Poirier rocks Saint-Denis with a left hand and looks for a guillotine but Saint-Denis pops his head out. Saint-Denis now in the mount. Saint-Denis has the back and is looking for a choke. Poirier escapes to his feet. Saint-Denis lands an elbow. Saint-Denis lands to the body. They separate. Poirier lands a left hand. Poirier with a body shot and two right hands and rocks Saint-Denis again. Poirier drops Saint-Denis with a right hook and a follow-up punch ends it. What a comeback and finish from Poirier!

Official Result- Dustin Poirier def. Benoit Saint-Denis by knockout (punches) at 2:32 of Round 2

> UFC Bantamweight Championship- C Sean O’Malley (17-1 1 NC, 9-1 1 NC UFC) vs. #5 Marlon Vera (23-8-1, 15-7 UFC)

O’Malley with a leg kick. O’Malley with some more kicks. O’Malley with a spin kick to the body then a body kick. O’Malley with more kicks. Vera lands a body kick then a left hand. Lots of patience from both men as O’Malley keeps on the kick attack. O’Malley lands a right hand after some body kicks. 10-9 O’Malley.

O’Malley with a spinning heel kick to the chin of Vera. O’Malley with a pair of kicks. Vera with a leg kick. O’Malley with a body kick followed by a head kick. O’Malley works the jab and lands a right hand. O’Malley with a stiff jab and Vera lands a leg kick. O’Malley with a body kick. O’Malley lands a combination followed by another. O’Malley with a right hand to the body. O’Malley lands a big knee and follows with a flurry. O’Malley lands a right hand then a left hand. O’Malley with a flurry. They trade body kicks and Vera lands a big right hand. O’Malley with a head kick. O’Malley with a big right hand. O’Malley lands a right hand that puts Vera on a knee. 10-9 O’Malley, 20-18 O’Malley.

Vera with some early leg kicks. O’Malley lands a left hand. O’Malley lands a right hand and then one to the body. Vera rushes in but O’Malley backs away and lands a left hand. O’Malley with a double jab then a left hand. They trade body kicks and O’Malley lands a left hand. O’Malley with a combination. Vera with a leg kick. O’Malley lands a combo. O’Malley with a knee after landing a right hand. Vera lands a right hand then a jab. Vera slips on a kick. 10-9 O’Malley, 30-27 O’Malley.

Vera lands a knee then a front kick. O’Malley with a body kick then a left hand. Vera with a body kick and O’Malley lands a right hand. Vera lands a left hand. Vera lands a flying knee. O’Malley lands a right hand. O’Malley with a combo. Vera lands a combo. Vera lands a jab. O’Malley with a combo. Vera lands but O’Malley trips him up. O’Malley with a body kick. Vera lands a body kick then a left hand to the body. O’Malley lands a combo. O’Malley with a jab. They trade punches. O’Malley with a combo. O’Malley working the jab. Vera with a left hook and O’Malley lands a right hand. 10-9 O’Malley, 40-36 O’Malley.

O’Malley with the jab. O’Malley lands a right hand and Vera is hurt. O’Malley lands a knee inside the pocket and is working the body with punches and kicks. O’Malley lands a right hand. Vera with a body kick. O’Malley rips to the body. O’Malley with a big right hand. Vera lands a left hand. Vera with a body kick. O’Malley with a spin kick to the body. O’Malley with a combo to the head and body. O’Malley lands a body kick. Vera lands a knee. O’Malley with a combo and lands a knee. They trade late. 10-9 O’Malley, 50-45 O’Malley.

Official Result- Sean O’Malley def. Marlon Vera by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-44) to retain the UFC Bantamweight Championship

Bellator 216 live results: MVP vs. Daley, Cro Cop vs. Nelson

Posted on February 17, 2019 by Paul Fontaine

(Image courtesy of Bellator MMA)

Welcome to our live coverage of Bellator 216. It’s night two of back-to-back shows for Bellator MMA from the Mohegan Sun Arena — and the main event is a grudge match years in the making.

Michael “Venom” Page, aka MVP, puts his unbeaten record on the line against fellow Brit Paul Daley as both men attempt to advance to the semifinal round of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix tournament where the winner will get a million dollars and the 170 lb championship.

The co-main may be 10-15 years late for some, but it should still be fun to see former TUF winner Roy Nelson lock up with the legendary Mirko Cro Cop. Cro Cop promises that this will be his retirement fight, although he’s said that before. Nelson will attempt to halt a two-fight losing streak, while Cro Cop has won nine in a row and has not lost in over five years.

Former heavyweight champion Vitaly Minokov returns to the promotion after a long hiatus and will attempt to earn a shot at the belt he never lost. Stepping up against him is another long-in-the-tooth veteran, Cheick Kongo. Kongo was inexplicably left out of the recent heavyweight Grand Prix, despite a seven-fight win streak in Bellator, and is out to prove a point.

The other fight with some intrigue is the promotional debut of Erick Silva, the former UFC welterweight. He will face a man fighting on a main card for the first time, Yaroslav Amosov, who comes in with a dazzling 20-0 record.

Action kicks off with the main card fights at 10 p.m. Eastern.

Quick results from Bellator 215 last night, which was recapped by Dave Meltzer and Garrett Gonzalez on last night’s Wrestling Observer Radio, available now for subscribers:

Matt Mitrione (13-6, 1 NC) vs. Sergei Kharitonov (29-7, 2 NC) ended in a no contest
Logan Storley (10-0) defeated Ion Pascu (18-9) via unanimous decision (30-27 30-26, 30-26)
Eduardo Dantas (21-6) defeated Toby Misech (11-7) via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
John Douma (4-1) defeated Mike Kimbel (2-1) via submission (triangle choke) at 2:51 of round one
Austin Vanderford (7-0) defeated Cody Jones (6-3) via submission (arm-triangle choke) at 4:49 of round one

**********

Kicking off the main card is a women’s flyweight fight.

Colby “Dreamcatcher” Fletcher (1-2) vs “Master” Valerie Loureda (pro debut)

Loureda is an accomplished Tae-Kwon Do expert coming in with a lot of hype and she gets a huge reaction from the crowd so that explains why this fight is on the main card. Fletcher is clearly something of a set-up fight for her. The “Master” in Loureda’s name is actually a title she earned, as explained by commentator John McCarthy. Loureda is only 20 years old so could be at this for awhile.

Fletcher throwing a lot of punches early. Loureda mixing in high and low kicks. Loureda lands a great punch combo and follows up with a high kick. Great punch exchange about 2 minutes in. Fletcher is the one controlling the pace so far. Loureda knocks her down with a body kick and finishes her off with a vicious barrage of punches and the ref may have let it go on a little long honestly.

Official result – Valerie Loureda (1-0) by TKO (punches) at 2:55

Loureda cut a tearfelt promo after the fight, saying she’s been dreaming of this moment since she was a little girl. Her coaches were in tears as she thanked them for making her the woman and the mixed martial artist that she is today.

Two welterweights making their Bellator main card debut are next up.

Erick “The Tiger” Silva (20-9) vs Yaroslav Amosov (20-0)

For those that remember Silva from UFC, his fights usually end early and are almost always exciting. Amosov trains with American Top Team and it’s not easy to rack up 20 wins in a row in this sport. He did handle another former UFC vet, Gerald Harris, pretty easily, in his first Bellator fight.

Mauro Ranalo points out that both guys have 12 first round finishes on their record. Silva pushign the pace early. Silva lands a nice punch combo 90 seconds in that opens a cut around Amosov’s right eye. Silva is pacing himself much better than usual. Silva blocks a takedown attempt at 2:45. Amosov controlling a clinch on the cage. They separate 30 seconds later and Amosov lands a nice punch combo. Amosov goes back to the clinch but Silva breaks free quickly. Amosov rocks Silva with punches at 4:00. Amosov now pushing the pace. Silva lands some nice counter punches. 10-9 Silva but close

Silva stuffs a takedown early. Silva again controlling the pace. Amazov gets a takedown. Silva up quickly but Amosov controlling his back and drags him down again. Amosov landing punches to the head but Silva gets to his feet. Amosov drags him down again. Silva blocking most of the punches as Amosov attempts to secure a body lock. Silva to his feet and immediately thrown to the canvas by Amosov at 3:00. Amosov landing punches and elbows as he attempts to advance position. Crowd getting restless at the 4 minutes mark. Ref not warning them as Amosov is controlling Silva pretty well. Silva ties up Amosov with a body lock at 4:45 as he is trying to work out a sub from his back but not enough time. 10-9 Amosov, 19-19

Both guys throwing leg kicks early in round 3. Amosov moves in for a takedown but Silva defends it. Silva with a hard knee to the body as Amosov moves in for a takedown. Amosov gets him down but Silva right up. Amosov controlling the back again through. Silva breaks free and grabs a standing guillotine. He gives it up quickly and eats a body kick for his efforts. Both guys looking pretty tired. Amosov gets a takedown at 2:00. Amosov landing punches from half guard. Amosov takes the back but Silva to his feet. Amosov drags him right down again and lands more punches to the head. Silva works back to guard but still eating punches. Silva to his feet but Amosov takes the back again. Amosov throws him down at 4;00. Silva to his feet again but Amosov still on his back. Amosov throws him down again. Silva up again at 4:30 and right back down. 10-9 Amosov, 29-28 overall

Official result – Yaroslav Amosov (21-0) by unanimous decision (29-27, 29-28 x 2)

Next up is a heavyweight rematch. In Vitaly Minakov’s last Bellator fight in April 2014, he won a unanimous decision over Cheick Kongo. He returns to the promotion and faces the same opponent. Kongo is on the wrong side of 40 but on the longest winning streak of his career, with 7 straight. In fact his only loss since the previous Minakov fight was a split decision vs King Mo.

Vitaly Minakov (21-0) vs Cheick Kongo (29-10-2)

Scott Coker has promised a title shot to the winner of this fight. With a win tonight, Cheick Kongo will set the record for most wins as a heavyweight and his 14th fight is also a heavyweight record. This came all after a long UFC career.

Nice punch exchange 15 seconds in. Minakov is the one advancing but Kongo landed a nice counter punch in the exchange. Minakov with a takedown attempt blocked and Kongo clinches up on the cage. They separate at 1:15. Kongo lands a nice punch combo at 2:00 and goes back to the clinch. Kongo lands an inadvertent low blow in the exchange. Minakov is looking very tired when the action restarts. Minakov goes back to the clinch after missing some punches. Kongo breaks free. Kongo mixes in some kicks as Minakov is looking to land a home run shot. Minakov catches a kick and Kongo slips but gets up quickly after a guillotine attempt by Minakov. Kongo controlling the clinch but they separate quickly. Kongo lands a nice punch combo and some knees to the body. 10-9 Kongo

Herschel Walker and Michael Strahan were shown sitting together at cageside and Mauro brings up having called Walker’s MMA fights. John McCarthy disagrees with me and gives round 1 to Minakov. He also gave Amosov round 1 in the last fight and all 3 judges disagreed. Kongo throwing counter kicks as Minakov is controlling the pace and again looking for that big punch. Crowd getting restless as they’ve barely touched 2 minutes in. Some chants for Kongo. Heavy boos from the crowd at 2:45 as they’ve still barely touched. Minakov is throwing punches but they’re missing and Kongo not throwing anything. Ref warning them to engage at 3:45. More heavy boos. Kongo with a punch combo and then he clinches up at 4:15. Kongo with a knee/punch combo as they separate. Kongo lands a couple of counters as Minakov misses more punches. Kongo with some punches landed right before the bell. 10-9 Kongo, 20-18 overall

Kongo landing hard leg kicks to start. Minakov is advancing but very tentative and very tired. He misses a huge punch but catches a kick and gets a takedown at 1:00. Minakov setting up a head and arm choke while landing punches to the body and head. Minakov with an Ezekiel joke from the top. Kongo landing desparation punches from his back and gets out of it but Minakov maintains top position. Minakov postures up to land some hammer fists before settling back into half guard. Kongo makes his way to the cage as he attempts to get to his feet . Kongo with a guillotine attempt and gets to his feet at 4:30. Kongo unloads with a punch/knee combo. Kongo with vicious knees to the head and Minakov is barely standing but the round ends. 10-9 Minakov, 29-28 Kongo overall.

Official result – Cheick Kongo (30-10-2) by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x 2)

John McCarthy had Kongo winning all 3 rounds and Mauro reacts like it was a bad decision. I’m not sure what those two were watching because Minakov did not win this fight.

Co-main event is next up and it’s a battle of the legends.

Roy “Big Country” Nelson (23-16) vs Mirko Cro Cop (37-11-2)

Cro Cop is introduced as a former K-1, Pride and RIZIN champion and comes out to the vintage “Wild Boys” theme. If he’s interested in fighting again after this, he could steal Kongo’s title shot with an impressive win.

Nelson advancing to start. Cro Cop blocks a takedown attempt 45 seconds in. Cro Cop blocks another takedown and pushes Nelson to the other side of the cage. Nelson takes over clinch control at 1:45 after eating an uppercut. Cro Cop lands some punches to the body and then walks Nelson across the cage again. Cro Cop rocks Nelson with an uppercut and then lands more punches to the body. They separate at 3:30. Back to the cage clinch and Cro Cop quickly takes control. Cro Cop with knees to the body and more uppercuts before separating. Nelson looking tired. Cro Cop wih a vicious body kicks and then blocks a takedown. 10-9 Cro Cop

Nelson against controlling the pace early. Cro Cop to the cage clinch at 1:00. Knees and punches to the body from Cro Cop. They trade elbows to the head. Cro Cop with hard uppercuts to the head and Nelson is rocked. They separate. They trade hard body kicks. Cro Cop just landing hard single shots but no combos. Nelson stuffed on another takedown attempt and Cro Cop ends up controlling a cage clinch. They separate after Cro Cop lands body punches. Nelson lands some punches that rock Cro Cop. Nelson with a punch/knee combo at 3:30. Nelson again stuffed on a takedown attempt. Cro Cop with a standing guillotine attempt but gives it up quickly. Cro Cop controlling a cage clinch and lands punches to the body and head. Separation at 4:30. Nelson lands some uppercuts to the head at 4:45. They trade hard body shots. 10-9 Cro Cop, 20-18

When they fought in 2011, Nelson scored a finish in the 3rd round and he’ll have to do the same to win here. Cro Cop starting to land leg kicks. Nelson lands some uppercuts to the head as Cro Cop tries to clinch. Cro Cop starting to tire. Nelson advancing. More leg kicks from Cro Cop and he stuffs another takedown attempt from Nelson. Yet another takedown attempt blocked by Cro Cop. Punch combo from Nelson and he attempts another takedown but fails. Cro Cop walks him across the cage but Nelson breaks free. Cro Cop blocks another takedown attempt. Crowd starting to get restless. Nelson with a punch combo and another takedown attempt and then finally lands one at 4:00. Cro Cop landing punches to the head from his back. Cro Cop ties him up with a body lock. 10-9 Nelson, 29-28 Cro Cop

Official result – Mirko Cro Cop (38-11-2) by unanimous decision (30-27; 29-28 x 2)

Main event is a first round match in the Bellator welterweight Grand Prix tournament with the winner advancing to face Douglas Lima for a spot in the finals. Sonnen, Thomson and Glazer interview Lima at the desk about his thoughts on the main event. He thinks Daley’s durability may be the difference.

Michael “Venom” Page (13-0) vs Paul “Semtex” Daley (40-16-2)

MVP chants as Page makes his entrance. Daley was much more subdued but Page clowning all the way down the ramp. Daley giving up 6 inches of height and 3 inches reach, which could be telling. Because this is a tournament match, it’s five rounds. Page is also 2-0 as a pro boxer. They do not touch gloves.

Page takes the center of the cage to start. Loud MVP chants before they even engage. They don’t touch for the first minute and there are some boos. Boos getting louder at 1:30. MVP has thrown a couple shots but missed while Daley hasn’t even thrown a thing. MVP just backing off and taunting Daley, who won’t engage. 3:30 in and no one has landed a strike. Daley finally throws a kick but misses. Page may have landed a punch at 4:30. Page lands a leg kick at 4:45. Deafening boos at the end of the round. 10-9 Page

Round 2 starts the same as the whole first round went. Page doing more taunting. Page lands a front kick to the head. Daley misses a takedown attempt as he’s chasing MVP around the cage. He catches him and they end up in a cage clinch with Daley in control. Daley with knees to the body. Separation at 2:45. Daley gets a takedown at 3:00. Daley with punches to the body. MVP doing nothing from his back. Daley has the legs tied up so MVP basically trapped on the ground. MVP does gets up but Daley lands some nice punches on the feet at the end of the round. 10-9 Daley, 19-19

MVP landing shots from distance early in round 3. Daley controlling the pace but MVP timing the counters well. MVP lands a great right cross at 1:15. MVP stuffs a takedown at 1:45. Daley controlling the cage clinch. Page takes control at 2:30 but Daley gets a takedown. MVP ties up the body but Daley landing body punches. Daley postures up to break the body lock and then goes back into guard. Daley postures up and lands punches to the body and head and the crowd explodes. Page to his feet at 4:45 but Daley still controlling the clinch. 10-9 Daley, 29-28

PAge advancing to start and lands a couple of strikes early. He’s just landing single shots and moving. Daley gets a takedown at 1:00. MVP lands a couple of weak elbows from his back. MVP ties up the body of Daley and lands more elbows. They’re not doing damage but they are landing. Page with punches to the head from his back. Ref warns them to work. Daley stands up and MVP follows. MVP lands a hard kick to the body. MVP lands a flying knee that hurts Daley and clinches on the cage at 3:30. MVP gets a takedown at 3:45. MVP lands hard punches to the head. Page with more punches to the head at 4:45. 10-9 Page, 38-38 overall

MVP lands a jumping knee and attempts a takedown but Daley lands one. Daley stands up but MVP stays on his back throwing upkicks. Daley landing kicks to the legs. before going back into guard. MVP ties up his body so Daley stands up to break it. MVP setting up a triangle from his back. Daley lands some punches to the head as Page attempts to get to his feet. Page to his feet at 2:30. Page with elbows to the head as he defends a takedown attempt. Page takes the back standing and drags Daley to the ground. Page landing punches to the head as he sets up a rear naked choke. Daley to his feet but Page still on his back and drags him down again. Page landing punches to the head as he contrinues to look for the choke. MVP chants from the crowd. Elbows to teh head from Page. Daley to his feet at 4:15 but Page controlling the clinch. Daley with a takedown attempt but MVP reverses and on top, landing punches as the round ends. 10-9 Page, 48-47 overall

Official result – Michael Page (14-0) by unanimous decision (48-47 x 3)

Crowd boos the result but the scoring of each round was pretty obvious and it’s good that all the judges got it right after some questionable scorecards in earlier fights. MVP said that Daley tried to take it to the ground but he beat him there and he’ll take the belt. He says he respects Douglas Lima a lot and it will be an honor to fight him in the next round.

Bellator MMA 144 Live coverage and results: Middleweight Title Brandon Halsey vs Rafael Carvalho

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Paul Fontaine

Bellator MMA returns to Spike TV tonight at 9 pm eastern/6 pacific with Bellator 144: Halsey vs Carvalho. In addition to the main event fight for the Middleweight Championship which Halsey was stripped off earlier this year for missing weight, the show will also feature the return of MVP, Michael Venom Page. He puts his unbeaten record on the line as he works his way toward a title shot. A brash exciting fighter who could be on a collision course with Page, Brennan Ward, takes on Dennis Olson and in the other main card fight, it’s Japan vs Brazil as the debuting Isao Kobayashi goes up against Goiti Yamauchi in a Featherweight bout.

We’ll have live coverage of the main card here starting right after the opening bell. The prelims are available for free at SpikeTV.com and we’ll also have results of those fights after they happen.

Welterweights Michael Page (8-0) vs Charlie Ontiveros (6-3)

Dan Miragliotta draws the reffing assignment for the opener. Page has 3 first round KO’s in 4 Bellator fights. Ontiveros had lost all 3 of his Bellator fights. This should be quick. The fighters are wearing pink wraps above their gloves. MVP dancing around to start as he always does and the fans are booing less than a minute in. Page with a takedown off of a clinch at 2:15. Page quickly into full mount and then takes his back. Ontiveros works him back to front and Page dropping elbows from side control and Ontiveros is out.

WINNER – MICHAEL PAGE (9-0) by TKO (elbows) at 3:20

The announcers speculate that it may have been a verbal submission as one of the elbows broke Ontiveros’ jaw. Official decision was a TKO. Sakuraba got some screen time in the pre-match video package for the next fight as Kobayashi grew up idolizing him. Jimmy Smith promises something exciting is happening in the first minute of the fight. I hope so, I have the under.

Featerweights Isao Kobayashi (18-2-4) vs Goiti Yamauchi (18-2)

Kobayashi is identified as a former King of Pancrase. I guess you can see his fights on UFC Fight Pass but the announcers don’t bring that up for some reason. They go the ground right away. Yamauchi may have pulled guard. He goes for a heel hook from the bottom but Kobayashi gets to his feet. Yamauchi definitely pulled guard at 1:15. Yamauchi going for all kinds of whacky submissions and ends up taking his back against the cage. He gets a body triangle and then starts working for a rear naked choke. He locks it in at 3:45 with a Gable grip. Kobayashi fights out of it. Yamauchi landing heel strikes to the body and Kobayashi gets out of it with 15 seconds left and to his feet. Yamauchi stays on his back as the round ends. 10-9 Yamauchi

Bellator champions Liam McGeary and Marcos Galvao are in attendance. Kobayashi with a trip takedown 1:15 in. Ground strikes in the first were 16-8 for Yamauchi. Yamauchi locks in a body triangle from the bottom but Kobayashi landing head strikes from the top. Yamauchi working for an armbar and gets the Kimura at 2:30. Kobayashi rolls out of it but gives up top position. Yamauchi opens up a cut on Kobayashi’s forehead with elbows from the top. Yamauchi into side control at 4:30 and then quickly into mount. Yamauchi takes his back and gets a neck crank with 10 seconds left but the bell saves Kobayashi. 10-9 Yamauchi

Jimmy Smith thinks Round 1 was a 10-8. I’d be very surprised as Kobayashi came back at the end and was never in that much danger of being finished. Yamauchi drops Kobayashi with a left hook 1:00 in and goes to the ground. He goes right to the Kimura again and transitions to the back. Yamauchi with the body triangle and working for a rear naked choke at 2:00. Kobayashi works out of it but still in all kinds of trouble. Yamauchi with the rear naked choke again at 3:45 and gets the tap.

WINNER – GOITI YAMAUCHI (19-2) by submission (rear naked choke) at 3:50 of the third round

Kimbo Slice in da hizzouse. Yamauchi calls out Patricio Pitbull after the fight. They did a segment called “Quick Hits” with Michael Chandler. It was fun. A female interviewer asked him quick easy questions while he sparred. Apparently Chandler is a big fan of Miley Cyrus’ Wrecking Ball. They showed clips from the weigh-ins and Ward and Olson got into it. A fan yelled out “you’re a good actor, Ward” and it made air.

Welterweights Brennan Ward (11-3) vs Dennis Olson (14-9)

They showed the walkouts since they’re running well ahead of schedule. Olson was heavily booed coming out and gave the fans the double-finger salute. They’re barely even hiding the fact that this is basically a squash match. All but one of Ward’s wins have come by finish. Big John gets the dukes for this one. Olson goes for a takedown right off the bat and Ward grabs a guillotine. Olson ends up having to pull guard to get out of it and Ward’s on top on the ground. Ward postures up to improve position and then goes into side control rather easily at 1:30. Ward to his feet at 1:45 and Olson is forced to follow. Ward drops Olson with a punch at 2:15 and goes to the ground with him. Ward into mount at 2:45 and dropping punches and elbows to the head. Olson works him back to guard. Ward with elbows to the head and body, just swarming Olson. Ward stands up again at 4:30 and Olson has to follow. Ward drops im again and follows up with ground and pound and McCarthy stops it.

WINNER – BRENNAN WARD (12-3) by TKO (punches)

After the fight, Ward put over Olson as a tough opponent and also put over the crowd. Ward falls short of calling out the champion Andrey Koreshkov, even though Jimmy was egging him on to. He just said that if he did get the chance, it would be a great fight.

A prelim bout between Matt Bessette and Kevin Roddy aired next. If you peeked below, you know that Bessette won by submission. What you didn’t know is that he won with an inverted heel hook and Sakuraba got another mention. Bessette has been kicking around the indies for a while now and looked really good here.

Main Event for the Bellator Middleweight Championship Brandon Halsey (9-0) vs Rafael Carvalho (11-1)

Brandon Halsey out to Lunatic Fringe by Red Rider, one of my personal favorite songs of all time. Dan Miragliotta gets the reffing duties for the main event. Carvalho’s “notable wins” are 1-4 Joe Schilling and everyone’s favorite punching bag Brett Rogers. This may not be much of a contest. Halsey gets a taekdown 10 seconds in. Halsey into mount and an arm triangle choke at 1:15. Carvalho escapes and goes for an inverted triangle but Halsey escapes. Carvalho to his feet and tries to take Halsey down but Halsey ends up on top. Crowd booing 2:30 in. Carvalho to his feet but gets brought right back down at 3:15 and Halsey right into mount. Halsey landing light punches to the head but basically just holding Carvalho down. 10-8 Halsey

Jimmy Smith just mentioned that they’d talked about relaxed 10-8 rules but he “doesn’t know if they’re in effect tonight”. What? Either way, That was a pretty dominant round for Halsey. Cage clinch early in the round and Halsey holds him for over a minute, trying to force a takedown. Halsey backs off at 1:30. Carvalho drops him with a liver kick and follows up with ground and pound but the ref stops it quickly.

WINNER – RAFAEL CARVALHO (12-1) by KO (liver kick) at 1:42 of the 2nd round

Ward was still down 3 minutes later but got up for the winner’s announcement and seemed okay.

Prelims results:

Sam Watford dec TJ Hepburn

Marius Enache sub Pete Rogers

Matt Secor sub Jeremie Holloway

Kevin Haley dec Mike Zichelle

Matt Bessette sub Kevin Roddy

Billy Giovanella sub Brandon Polcare