Bellator 256 ‘Bader vs. Machida 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Round 1

To kick things off, Douma (4-2 | 1-1 Bellator) and “Sriracha” Smith
(3-2 | 0-1 Bellator) meet in a bantamweight contest. Bryan Miner is
your referee. They exchange jabs and low kicks from matching
orthodox stances. Smith lands a long jab to the body, then one to
the head. Douma is pursuing as Smith gives ground and throws more
jabs. Smith with heavy feints, briefly switching stances. Not much
damage from either man halfway into the round, but Smith’s jabs are
easily the most effective weapon. Douma drops for his first
takedown attempt and hauls Smith to the canvas at the base of the
fence. He lands a couple of heavy punches to the head and Smith
turns, exposing his back. Douma jumps on, sinks his hooks and works
for a rear-naked choke or perhaps a neck crank. One minute left.
Smith is fighting off the choke, throwing the occasional punch over
his shoulder as the bell sounds. 10-9 Douma.

Round 2

Douma is aggressive to start Round 2, coming forward with his left
jab in Smith’s face. A kick strays to Smith’s sriracha bottle, and
we have a break in the action. They resume, and Smith is throwing
outside kicks to both legs of Douma, who is bleeding from the nose
as well. More than half the round down, and Douma shoots a long
double-leg. He gets in on Smith’s hips, but Smith fights it off.
Douma turns the corner and takes Smith’s back. He hoists Smith for
a slam, but is forced to settle for simply dragging him back down.
Douma has his hooks in once again, working for the choke again.
Under a minute left, he gives up the choke but ends the round in
back mount, throwing punches to Smith’s head. 10-9 Douma.

Round 3

The final round begins, and it’s Smith again scoring with the jab,
sticking it right in Douma’s reddened face. Smith comes forward
with a sharp one-two, then lands another. Smith has largely
abandoned the kicks of the first two rounds, choosing to swing with
big punches. Halfway into the round, Smith is scoring with the
punches. Douma is bleeding from the nose as well as possibly the
mouth. 90 seconds left, Douma has yet to try for a takedown, and
suddenly it’s Smith dropping levels for an easy double-leg in the
center of the cage. Smith in Douma’s full guard. Douma tries for an
armbar, but Smith sniffs it out and moves to side control. He ends
the round, and the fight, throwing hammerfists from side control.
10-9 Smith (29-28 Douma)

The Official Result

John Douma def. Will Smith by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28,
28-29)

Round 1

Next up it’s “The Baby-Faced Assassin” vs. “Izzy,” as Nainoa Dung
(3-2 | 2-2 Bellator) faces Isaiah William (4-3 | 0-0 Bellator) in a
match of guys who really should have had to fight the original
owners for these nicknames. The lightweights go to work under the
watchful eye of Bryan Miner. Both men set up in orthodox stance and
it’s Dung who scores first with a couple of jabs. William comes
forward and throws a kick that falls short, and Dung springs in
with a quick three-piece. William with a front kick up the middle,
which also falls short. Clear advantage in speed as well as reach
for the Hawaiian in the early going. Dung throws a fast left high
kick that glances off William’s guard. William throwing kicks and
being countered with one-twos, over and over. Dung starting to land
some low kicks of his own, suddenly blasts William with a lead left
hook to the liver, which he doubles up to the head, dropping him.
William springs back up. Two minutes left, William drops levels and
trips Dung to the canvas in the center of the cage. William in half
guard, looking to set up an arm triangle, Dung rolls him over and
William stands, throwing kicks to the supine Hawaiian. A kick lands
on the cup, and we get our second low blow break of the evening.
Miner restarts the action with 37 seconds left on the clock.
William comes forward, and again it’s Dung stinging him with
punches. The round expires. 10-9 Dung.

Round 2

Dung comes out southpaw to open Round 2 and throws a left head kick
that William blocks. Dung stings William with a left cross. William
keeps marching forward, landing a side kick, but thus far he’s
having trouble navigating the range and speed of Dung. Dung lands
another left hook to the liver. William drops levels and runs Dung
to the floor. Dung grabs a guillotine choke, which he does not
abandon even as William lands in side control. Dung lets go and
gats half guard. William is on top, against the cage, with half a
round to work. William with heavy top pressure, using a forearm to
the chin and throat, before beginning to set up another
head-and-arm choke. Dung bucks him off and again it’s Williams
standing over him, throwing kicks as Dung responds with upkicks.
Under a minute left, William dives in with a standing-to-ground
punch that lands hard. Dung squirms as William jumps on him and
seizes a front headlock. Dung escapes, stands over William and is
throwing punches as the round expires. 10-9 William.

Round 3

Dung zaps William with another southpaw left straight. William
lands a shot to the body. Dung shoots for a takedown which William
sprawls on easily. William gets a front headlock, then spins to
north-south. After a moment, he moves to side control. William
drops short, grinding elbows to Dung’s head. Dung explodes, bucks
William off, and ends up, for the third straight round, on his back
with William over him, exchanging kicks. William tosses the legs
aside and drops right into side control. Dung is bleeding from the
nose. Dung throws his legs up looking for perhaps an armbar, and
William moves to north-south. Dung bucks again, and this time
scrambles to top position, where he sets up in three-quarter guard.
Dung sitting upright in William’s guard, throwing occasional
punches. They stand at the clapper and William comes forward with
one last glancing punch before the final bell. 10-9 William (29-28
William).

The Official Result

Nainoa Dung def. Isaiah William via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

Bantamweight prospect Bates (1-0 | 1-0 Bellator) faces LFA vet
Glossner (2-1 | 0-0 Bellator), who returns to action after over a
year away, more than a pound overweight. Bryan Miner, hopefully
wearing his FitBit, draws ref duty once again. Bates charges right
in and trips Glossner to the floor, but Glossner is ultra-active
from the bottom, squirming and keeping his hips moving as Bates
tries to move him to the fence. Bates grabs Glossner’s neck, but
Glossner pops his head out. Bates stands over Glossner, throwing
some kicks. Halfway point of the round, Bates dives back in behind
a nasty standing-to-ground punch and lands in side control,
throwing punches. Bates is raining down heavy shots, and Glossner
turns and grabs a single-leg. Bates stands and throws a few more
kicks to the downed Glossner, then lets him stand. 30 seconds left,
Bates hauls Glossner back to the canvas with a body lock, ending up
in full guard. A frenetic round of ground work ends there. 10-9
Bates.

Round 2

After a break for the cageside doctor to check on Glossner and for
Bellator play-by-play man Mauro Ranallo to drop a Gordon Lightfoot
reference, Round 2 begins. Bates takes Glossner down immediately.
Glossner locks up Bates’ right leg with a figure-four, then
abandons it, and Bates is on top, looking for an anaconda choke or
possibly a Japanese necktie. It doesn’t appear completely locked in, then it
does, and with Bates’ crushing pressure on top, it’s more than
enough to get Glossner to tap. Dominant night of work by the
24-year-old wrestling phenom.

The Official Result

Jaylon Bates def. Jeffrey Glossner R2 1:27 via Submission (Japanese
Necktie)

Round 1

Someone’s “0” has got to go as Law (2-0 | 2-0 Bellator) and Ghareeb
(2-0 | 0-0 Bellator) take to the cage for a featherweight scrap.
Ref Todd Anderson draws his first assignment of the night. Law
stalks around the center of the cage as Ghareeb slides around the
outside. Both men in orthodox stance. Law lands a hard right hand.
90 seconds in, former NCAA Div. II champ Law secures a takedown.
He’s heavy on top, chest to chest as Ghareeb is active with his
hips. Law stands over Ghareeb, throwing kicks to his legs. Law
tries to dive into side control, but Ghareeb intercepts him and
gets full guard again. Ghareeb active and aggressive off his back,
but as Law lands a couple of shots from the top, he closes his
guard and uses his arms to try and control Law’s posture. Ghareeb
throws a few strikes off his back, but Law is landing the much
heavier shots. 30 seconds left and it’s still Law in Ghareeb’s full
guard near the fence. Ghareeb’s legs sneaking up again in the
closing seconds. The round ends. 10-9 Law.

Round 2

Ghareeb comes out southpaw to start Round 2, but the first strike
landed it a right high kick by Law. Law just misses with a huge
right uppercut. A minute and a half in, Ghareeb is coming forward
throwing right kicks to the leg and body. Law steps in under a
glancing Ghareeb head kick and gets an effortless takedown. Law in
Ghareeb’s full guard. Ghareeb again very active on the bottom,
looking to sweep or at least keep Law reactive and off-balance, but
Law stays low, chest-to-chest and very heavy on top. Two minutes
left, Law begins to posture up more fully, dropping bigger strikes
with his elbows and fists. Law passes to half guard, still throwing
a constant stream of short strikes. Ghareeb stuffs him back to full
guard, and a moment later the round ends. 10-9 Law.

Round 3

Round 3 begins with Ghareeb, surely aware he is down two rounds to
none, coming forward with purpose. Ghareeb throws a left head kick
followed by a right kick to the body, both of which glance off of
Law. Law gets an easy takedown about a minute in, but lands with
Ghareeb perilously close to taking his back. Law is patient, sorts
out the position and moves to side control. Half the round gone,
and Law is in side control, landing short elbows and looking
perhaps to isolate an arm. Law lands a couple of heavy elbows as
Ghareeb regains full guard. 90 seconds left, Law is driving Ghareeb
into the fence, putting all his weight on the other man, then moves
to half guard. Ghareeb is ultra-game from the bottom, constantly
trying to better his position, but Law moves to mount with 30
seconds left. Law throws a couple of punches before Ghareeb slides
out the back. Law jumps back on him, landing a few more punches
before the bell. Completely suffocating work from Cody Law. 10-9
Law (30-27 Law).

The Official Result

Cody Law def. Nathan Ghareeb via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27,
30-27)

Round 1

Bantamweight up-and-comer Bell (5-1 | 5-1 Bellator) meets “A-1”
Lugo (5-0 | 1-0 Bellator), the second man on the card named after a
condiment. Dan Miragliotta is the referee. It’s Lugo landing first
in the early going with calf kicks to the outside of both of Bell’s
legs. Bell reaching with long jabs and a lead right that nearly has
him off balance. Halfway through the round, Lugo’s left kicks to
Bell’s right leg are already telling a story. Lugo switches
stances, catches a Bell kick and returns with a harder kick of his
own, this time to Bell’s right leg. 90 seconds left, Bell rushes
forward with punches, but Lugo circles out and avoids being run
into the fence. Lugo switching stances, throwing jabs from both
sides in the final minute. They clinch, Lugo pushing Bell into the
fence. They exchange knees and short punches until the round ends.
10-9 Lugo.

Round 2

Bell in southpaw, Lugo in orthodox stance to open Round 2. Lugo
throws a right kick to the body, then one to the inside of Bell’s
lead right leg. Lugo switches stances and lands a left straight.
Bell springs forward with a left hook that catches nothing but air.
Lugo coming forward, throwing his right jab. Lugo throws a right
high kick that misses, and Bell rushes in for a takedown. Lugo
sprawls beautifully and Bell can’t secure anything. Halfway through
the round, this is becoming a clinic on the feet for Jornel Lugo.
Lugo fighting southpaw, lands a couple of sharp jabs before
switching stances. Lugo stalks forward, throwing single jabs and
straights. Bell jumps in and throws a one-two shortly before the
bell. 10-9 Lugo.

Round 3

Lugo changes levels about 30 seconds in and drops Bell to the
canvas. He moves instantly to side control. Bell scrambles up, but
Lugo jumps on his back and hauls him back down. Lugo passes to half
guard at the base of the fence, then to side control. Lugo moves to
Bell’s back and sinks a hook. Bell stands, and Lugo lands a couple
of punches on the way up, then trips Bell back to the floor. Lugo
in Bell’s full guard. Bell’s hips are active, looking to come up
and threaten with a triangle or armbar, but Lugo keeps his head in
Bell’s chest, throwing punches to the ribs. Lugo moves to side
control again, controlling Bell’s far arm and throwing knees to the
ribs. Bell gets to his seat and Lugo gets on Bell’s back, sinking
his hooks once again. Lugo gets a body triangle, throwing punches
to Bell’s head and softening him up for a choke. He goes for it at
the 10-second clapper, but the final bell rings as Bell strains and
squirms. Dominant stuff from Lugo. 10-8 Lugo (30-26 Lugo).

The Official Result

Jornel Lugo def. Cass Bell via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27,
30-27)

Round 1

Former Mundials and ADCC champ Nogueira (7-2 | 1-2 Bellator) looks
to end a two-fight skid against Borga (3-2 | 1-0 Bellator) in a
featherweight contenders’ match. Dan Miragliotta on duty as
referee. They exchange low kicks in the early going from matching
orthodox stances. 90 seconds in, it’s still mostly an exchange of
single kicks. Borga catches a kick and drives Nogueira to the
fence. “Treta” with an overhook as Borga tries to use head position
to open the taller woman up for strikes. Miragliotta breaks up the
clinch and restarts the women in the center of the cage. Borga is
the first with a body kick, and Nogueira replies with a leg kick. A
minute left and it’s Borga coming forward, throwing kicks and her
right straight. She drives Nogueira to the fence again, and
Nogueira uses a hip toss to fling her to the ground. 30 seconds
left and Nogueira is on top, north-south, throwing punches as the
bell sounds. 10-9 Nogueira.

Round 2

Borga rushes forward with a pair of hooks and drives Nogueira to
the fence. She pulls the Brazilian to the floor and actually takes
her back. Nogueira calmly removes Borga’s hooks and stands.
Nogueira keeps the overhook, tosses Borga back to the ground and
sets up in half guard, out to the side, trying to trap an arm and
pass to side control. She drops a couple of elbows, then punches to
the ribs. Borga has Nogueira’s right leg locked down, but is
otherwise just hanging on. Nogueira spins to the other side and
starts throwing punches from the back. Miragliotta stops the action
and Nogueira jumps up to celebrate, but it’s a punch to the back of
the head. There’s a warning and a pause, and then they start again
standing. Nogueira walks forward with very very wide hooks, which
land on the exhausted-looking Borga. Nogueira runs Borga to the
fence, then peels her away and trips her to the ground in the
middle of the cage. 30 seconds left and Miragliotta has to stop the
action again for a blow to the back of the head, deducting a point
this time and starting them once again on the feet. At the
10-second clapper, Nogueira gets another hip-throw takedown. The
bell sounds. 9-9 round due to the point deduction.

Round 3

Though clearly exhausted, Borga charges forward and clinches with
Nogueira against the fence. Nogueira tries another judo throw, but
Borga is wise to it. A minute in, it’s all grinding clinch work, as
Borga fights for head position and Nogueira throws short knees.
“Treta” tries another hip throw, but Borga counters with an
overhook and they pop back to their feet. Nogueira reverses
position and pushes Borga to the fence, then finally gets a body
lock and trip, landing on top. Nogueira is heavy on top, pushing
down on Borga’s head with a forearm while using her free hand to
punch the body. Nogueira is far out to the side, looking to trap an
orm. Just over a minute left and Nogueira stands over Borga, who is
looking for a Hail Mary upkick. Nogueira dives into her guard,
tosses her legs aside and moves to the back. She has one hook, then
two. 30 seconds left, Nogueira with a body triangle. She’s looking
for the rear-naked choke, but the bell sounds. 10-9 Nogueira (29-27
Nogueira).

The Official Result

Talita Nogueira def. Jessica Borga via Unanimous Decision (29-27,
29-27, 29-27)

Round 1

Homegrown middleweight prospect Rosta (4-0 | 4-0 Bellator) and DWCS
alum Johnson (8-3 | 2-0 Bellator) square off in the featured
prelim, with Kevin MacDonald set to officiate. Rosta marches
forward on the taller Johnson, both men fighting orthodox. Rosta
throws jabs and one-twos while Johnson throws kicks and looks for a
counter left. Rosta throws a fast outside calf kick to Johnson’s
lead left leg. Rosta lands a right hook and is just missed by a
huge uppercut coming the other way. Rosta clinches, shoves Johnson
to the fence and drops for a single-leg. Johnson fights it off and
they break. Rosta ducks in with a jab to the body. There’s a break
for MacDonald to return Rosta’s mouthpiece. Rosta lands a leg kick,
but Johnson counters with a two-punch combo that clearly hurts.
Johnson lands a glancing right head kick, then a one-two. Rosta
comes back with a one-two of his own. Johnson lands a high kick off
Rosta’s guard at the 10-second warning, followed by a body kick.
Rosta lands a push kick up the middle right before the bell. 10-9
Johnson.

Round 2

Rosta comes forward early, his guard very high, perhaps recognizing
Johnson’s commitment to high kicks in the first round. A minute in,
both men are landing single kicks and jabs. There’s a break for an
inadvertent low blow to Rosta, our third of the evening. Johnson
slides around the outside, throwing one-twos when Rosta comes
forward. Rosta drops levels and gets a double-leg takedown against
the fence. Johnson uses the fence to stand and Rosta gets his back.
Johnson spins out and they reset in the middle of the cage. Rosta
steps forward and nails Johnson with a left to the body, probably
his best strike of the fight so far. Rosta tries a superman punch
that just glances off. Johnson steps in and lands a one-two against
Rosta’s high guard. Johnson lands a body kick underneath the guard.
Rosta lands a spinning back kick to the chest of Johnson. 30
seconds to go and Johnson is marching forward. He throws a high
kick that is blocked, and the bell sounds. Very close round. 10-9
Rosta.

Round 3

Round 3 begins with Johnson again advancing, feinting, but it’s
Rosta who lands first with a left and a right. They exchange jabs
and one-twos. Johnson throws a high kick as Rosta drops for what
looks like half a slip, half an Imanari roll, but he gets Johnson
to the fence and switches to a double-leg. After a bit of a
struggle, he elevates and dumps the taller man on the ground.
Johnson fights back to his feet, and they separate. Johnson marches
forward with body kicks and one-twos, halfway through the round.
Rosta shoots another double-leg and gets Johnson to his seat
against the fence. Johnson gets back to his knees, gets his hips
back and sprawls. Under a minute left, Rosta is still working for
the takedown and he gets it. 30 second left, Johnson stands back
up, and Rosta is still at his hips, working for the takedown. The
bell sounds. 10-9 Rosta (29-28 Rosta).

The Official Result

Dalton Rosta def. Tony Johnson via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)

Round 1

The main card kicks off with lightweights Yamauchi (25-4 | 10-3
Bellator) and Moret (14-6 | 0-0 Bellator), with Miragliotta the
third man in the cage. Moret comes forward and throws a left body
kick. He follows it up with a left outside leg kick. Yamauchi drops
for a single-leg, but Moret lands on top and Yamauchi kicks him
off. Moret knocks Yamauchi down with a right hand, and gives chase,
but Yamauchi is already back up, clinching and looking for another
single-leg as he recovers. Yamauchi throws a flying knee,
transitions to pulling guard, and ends up on his back with Moret
over him. Yamauchi sweeps, takes Moret’s back in a flash, and sinks
both hooks. Moret tripods in the middle of the cage with 90s
seconds left, Yamauchi on his back, trying to isolate an arm with a
kimura. He gets it, and tries to torque it away from Moret’s body,
but Moret is wise to it. Yamauchi is so high on Moret’s back that
his own head is actually resting on the canvas. Moret shrugs him
off and ends up on top, seated on top of Yamauchi and throwing
punches. The bell sounds. 10-9 Yamauchi.

Round 2

Yamauchi uses an ankle pick and overhook to drive Moret to the
ground, moving quickly to side control. Moret is on his back, with
both feet on the cage, as Yamauchi isolates the far arm. Moret uses
the fence to bridge and throw Yamauchi off, but the Brazilian grabs
a front headlock. He threatens with an anaconda choke, then bails
and moves to the back. He sinks one hook, then abandons it. Half
the round gone, and Yamauchi is on Moret’s back, both men still on
their feet. Yamauchi peels Moret off the fence enough to hop on his
back and sink both hooks. He hauls him down, and throws a couple of
heel strikes to the solar plexus, B.J. Penn style, while looking to
take the neck. A minute left in the round. Moret is surviving
capably, fighting off the hands, but little more. Yamauchi switches
to a body triangle with 30 seconds left, throwing punches from back
mount at the bell. 10-9 Yamauchi.

Round 3

The final round kicks off with Moret coming forward. Yamauchi
shoots a double-leg right away, but Moret sprawls all over it and
ends up in top position. Perhaps by mutual assent, they stand
immediately. Yamauchi drives Moret to the fence, dropping to
Moret’s hips. Moret uses a forearm to frame Yamauchi’s face and
neck, keeping them apart. He meets Yamauchi with a knee to the jaw
as Yamauchi tries to drop levels again. Less than half the round
left and Yamauchi is still working for the takedown as Moret
wide-legs. Moret trips and lands on top in Yamauchi’s half guard.
90 seconds if he wants to win this fight. Yamauchi’s guard is wide
open and he’s not doing much besides controlling Moret’s posture
with one arm. Moret is heavy on top, but not offering much else.
Moret postures up to try and rain down some blows, but Yamauchi
pivots and looks for an armbar. With five seconds left, Yamauchi
slips out the side and takes Moret’s back. The bell sounds. 10-9
Yamauchi (30-27 Yamauchi).

The Official Result

Dan Moret def. Goiti Yamauchi via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28,
28-29)

Round 1

Former UFC bantamweight title challenger Zingano (11-4 | 1-0
Bellator) welcomes Parker (4-1 | 0-0 Bellator) to the new
promotion. Todd Anderson is available, if necessary, to save
someone from unnecessary damage. Zingano clinches in seconds,
pushes Parker to the cage, and wants the takedown. Parker holds her
own, reversing Zingano against the fence, but “Alpha” eventually
gets a trip and lands in full guard. A minute gone. Zingano passes
to half guard and is ultra-heavy on top, looking for an
arm-triangle. Zingano looks to pass to mount, and Parker denies her
for a second, then surrenders the position. Zingano in full mount.
Parker turns her back and Zingano takes it, but can’t secure it and
Parker spins around, ending up in Zingano’s guard. Zingano pins Parker’s right arm, swings her hips
around for an armbar and goes belly-down. It’s beautifully
smooth and so tight that Parker can barely move her other hand to
tap. Nice quick night of work from Cat Zingano.

The Official Result

Cat Zingano def. Olivia Parker R1 2:56 via Submission
(Armbar)

Round 1

Prospect-turned-contender Borics (16-1 | 7-1 Bellator) looks to
keep the momentum of a three-fight win streak going against former
PFL standout Kennedy (16-2, 1 NC | 1-0 Bellator). Kevin MacDonald
is the referee. They exchange crisp three-piece punch combos in the
early going, both out of orthodox stance. Borics lands a low calf
kick to the outside of Kennedy’s lead left leg, then another.
Kennedy returns fire with one of his own. Kennedy drops for a
takedown against the fence, but Borics fights him off with
underhooks, then reverses position. Borics now pushing Kennedy into
the cage. Under two minutes left, and MacDonald stops the action
for a knee to the cup of Borics. When they restart in the center of
the cage, they go back to exchanging low calf kicks. Borics lands a
stinging counter right. Kennedy comes in behind a jab, drops levels
and pulls Borics down with a double-leg. Borics fights back to his
feet as the bell sounds. 10-9 Borics.

Round 2

Borics lands an outside leg kick. Kennedy responds with a
right-hand counter. A minute in, there’s a lot of feinting on both
sides, but not a whole lot being thrown. Borics bounces into range
and lands an overhand right. Both men land low kicks. Kennedy comes
in looking to clinch, but Borics slides away easily. Borics’ jab is
beginning to land with increasing frequency and effect, reddening
the face of Kennedy. Two minutes left, it feels as though neither
man has really gotten comfortable, but especially not Kennedy.
Borics lands another hard calf kick, then a lightning jab. Borics
tries his vaunted flying knee with a minute left, but he’s out of
range. Borics lands a high kick that hurts. Kennedy moves at the
waist, evading the swarm of hooks that follow, but that was the
best single strike of the fight so far. The bell sounds. 10-9
Borics.

Round 3

Kennedy fights like a man who knows he needs to do something big,
coming straight forward and landing a sharp lead left to open the
final round. Borics throws an outside low calf kick to Kennedy’s
left leg that takes his base from under him. Kennedy goes down and
Borics follows, ending up in half guard. Borics throws short
strikes to the head and ribs. Kennedy sweeps to top position and
Borics stands. It’s Kennedy pushing Borics into the cage as Borics
defends with an overhook. 90 seconds left. Kennedy trips Borics,
who goes to his seat. Kennedy is lacing Borics’ legs while Borics
tries to use the fence to stand. Kennedy grabs an ankle to deny
him. Borics pops back to his feet, tries another flying knee, and
gets shoved back to the fence. The round expires. 10-9 Borics
(30-27 Borics).

The Official Result

Adam Borics def. Jeremy Kennedy via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
29-28, 29-28)

Round 1

The main event sees veteran multi-divisional contender Carmouche
(14-7 | 1-0 Bellator) welcoming the Invicta record book owner Porto
(22-8 | 0-0 Bellator) to the round cage. Kevin MacDonald is on ref
duty, and we’re off. Carmouche bounding around the outside,
throwing southpaw jabs. Porto throws a couple of low kicks early
that have Carmouche reacting. Carmouche switches briefly to
orthodox, but for the most part she is fighting out of the southpaw
stance and circling briskly to the right. Carmouche rushes forward
with a lead right hand that falls short. Carmouche trying for the
right several times in the first half of the round. Porto throws a
right kick to the ribs. Porto comes forward with more kicks, with
both legs. Carmouche is back to orthodox stance. Porto rushes
forward for a takedown, but the bell sounds. 10-9 Porto.

Round 2

Carmouche is active to start Round 2, bouncing between stances and
throwing a hard jab. Carmouche runs Porto to the fence. They
exchange knees to each other’s’ legs and body. Carmouche has an
underhook and a leg, looking to dump the shorter woman to the
floor. She switches to a single-leg. Porto looks for a front
headlock, but Carmouche lifts and slams her, breaking the grip.
Porto bounces back up, and they’re exchanging knees in the clinch
again. Half the round down, and it’s been more tense than dynamic
so far. They separate and return to kickboxing. Porto lands a right
hand, Carmouche lands a harder one in return. Porto has found the
range and rhythm for her kicks again, darting in with both legs to
tag the lead leg of Carmouche. The 1-second clapper sounds.
Carmouche lands a final low kick before the bell. 10-9
Carmouche.

Round 3

Round 3 begins with Carmouche in orthodox stance, circling on the
outside and throwing outside low kicks. She switches to southpaw.
Porto circles with her, darting in to land her own kicks. Carmouche
slips and falls to her seat, Porto goes after her, but Carmouche
grabs a single-leg as they stand and now it’s Carmouche pressing
Porto against the fence, looking for the takedown. Porto denies
her, and Carmouche clinches. Each woman with an underhook, trading
knees. Just a minute left, and the pace of the fight stays
insistently in second gear. The women finish the fight as they
spent most of it: clinched, kneeing one another. 10-9 Carmouche
(29-28 Carmouche).

The Official Result

Liz Carmouche def. Vanessa Porto via Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 29-28)

Light Heavyweight WGP Quarterfinal Bout:
Ryan
Bader (205) vs. Lyoto
Machida (204.6)

Round 1

The Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix kicks off with a
five-round clash between Bellator heavyweight titleholder Bader
(27-6, 1 NC | 5-1, 1 NC Bellator), who was until a few months ago
the two-division champ, and former UFC 205-pound ruler Machida
(26-10 | 2-2 Bellator). Nearly nine years on from their first
meeting, a spectacular knockout win by Machida in the UFC Octagon,
the 37-year-old Bader and 42-year-old Machida meet again. Dan
Miragliotta gets the final referee assignment of the night. Machida
is southpaw, hands outstretched, bouncing outside in his trademark
stance. Bader orthodox, coming forward and pawing with the lead
hand. Over a minute in, the first real strike landed is a left leg
kick by Machida. Bader rushes forward with punches and Machida is
nowhere to be found. Machida lands a left body kick to the open
side. Bader comes forward with punches again, and Machida again
slides out the side. Bader’s right side is already wearing the
signs of Machida’s kicks. Bader charges in and manages to clinch
momentarily, but Machida shucks him off. Machida comes off the
fence and explodes out with a superman punch that misses, but backs
Bader up. Bader pops in and lands two right hands to the face, then
a lead left. Machida lands a high kick and a jumping knee, and at
the 10-second clapper, Bader grabs a front headlock against the
fence. He looks to knee the head, but Machida plants a hand on the
canvas to forestall any attempt. The bell sounds. 10-9 Machida.

Round 2

Machida goes back to work in Round 2, feinting, throwing his fast
left kick to the body of Bader. Bader comes forward with a lead
left, which falls short. Machida slaps with another body kick. And
another. Bader charges forward with a right hand, swinging at air.
Machida bounces around the outside some more. He lands another body
kick, partly blocked. Machida lands a superman punch. Bader comes
forward with a double-leg and drives Machida to the canvas against
the cage. Two minutes left. Bader gets essentially a folkstyle
wrestling referee’s position, throwing punches to Machida’s head.
Machida tries to control Bader’s wrist, then gets up, but Bader
hauls him back down and throws more punches. The round expires with
Bader in control, throwing short punches. 10-9 Bader.

Round 3

Both men’s movements have slowed as Round 3 begins, but it’s more
apparent in the movement-heavy karateka. A minute in, Bader runs in
behind a big right hand — which lands — and scoops Machida up for
an emphatic double-leg takedown. Bader is in side control near the
fence, throwing short punches. He has Machida’s far arm pinned,
preparing to throw unblocked strikes to the face, but Machida
squirms and forces Bader to adjust. Bader throws a brutal-sounding
punch to the body. Machida manages to stuff Bader to full guard,
but Bader passes back to side control. Bader lands who massive
punches to the face of Machida, who is now bleeding from the nose
and mouth. Bader still in side control, dropping some big elbows
just before the 10-second clapper. The round ends that way. Huge
round for the American. 10-8 Bader.

Round 4

Machida is sporting a serious shiner on the left eye and some
seriously deep breathing to open the championship rounds. Bader
comes forward, breathing heavily himself, and lands most of a
three-piece. Machida returns fire, but his footwork no longer keeps
him out of harm’s way, and Bader gets his hands on him, lifts and
dumps him to the canvas. A minute gone in the round, it’s Bader on
top in half-guard against the fence, trying to trap an arm while
throwing short elbows and punches. Machida is moving and squirming,
denying Bader the completely dominant positions he wants, but not
doing much beyond surviving. Machida manages to get Bader to full
guard, and closes his guard. Bader is still posturing up, however,
dropping heavy elbows, forearms and punches. Bader passes to half
guard, still throwing heavy offense from the top. A minute left,
and the feeling is that one big punch might end this. Bader gets
control of Machida’s right wrist with his own right hand, but lets
go and returns to throwing elbows and punches to the body. The bell
sounds on another dominant round by the former champ. 10-8
Bader.

Round 5

The final round opens up with Bader looking tired, while Machida
looks wobbly and exhausted. The same is in Round 4, Bader comes in
behind a right hand, secures a double-leg, and easily lifts and
dumps Machida to the canvas at the base of the fence. Bader laces
the right leg of Machida and immediately resumes the pounding.
Machida gets to his knees with Bader stuck to his back, then to his
feet, wisely leaving a hand planted to avoid being kneed. Bader
hauls Machida back down and throws a couple of rights to the head,
one of them sickeningly loud. Machida gives up mount, then his
back. He throws a nice no-look elbow that cracks Bader in the face,
but Bader is undeterred. Machida gets to his knees, and Bader
brings him back to the mat yet again. Bader is heavy on top, chest
to chest, throwing short elbows to the body. Machida throws some
heel strikes from the bottom. Bader moves to half guard, and
Machida throws strikes from the bottom. They’re exchanging leather
at the final bell, and Ryan Bader should be advancing, awaiting the
winner of the Corey Anderson – Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov
quarterfinal later this month. 10-9 Bader (49-44 Bader).

The Official Result

Ryan Bader def. Lyoto Machida via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-45,
49-45)