Sherdog’s live
Bellator Champions Series Paris coverage will begin Friday at
12 p.m. ET.
Round 1
Featherweights kick off festivities in France, where the unbeaten
Fontes (7-0, 0-0 Bellator) awaits the once-beaten Adjoudj (7-1, 5-1
Bellator) at 145 pounds. Christophe Chapuis serves as the third man
in the cage. Fontes marches forward with heavy pressure, eats a
glancing spinning backfist and wanders into the clinch. Adjoudj
works behind him and hammers his legs with knees, then drags him to
a kneeling position along the fence. Fontes stays calm. Adjoudj
hooks the outside leg to maintain control, flirts with a guillotine
and resumes his striking efforts with short punches and knees. With
the round half over, Fontes continues to struggle to find some
answers. Adjoudj racks up points with his counterpart trying to
free himself. Ninety seconds to go in what has been a tactical rout
thus far. At this point, Fontes might be better served bailing on
the round and preserving his energy. Adjoudj lifts the Brazilian
and scores a takdown, then another. Tone set.
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Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
Round 2
Fontes steps out for the second period in need of a momentum shift.
A kick from the Brazilian strays south of the border and results in
a brief pause to the action. Adjoudj feeds him a body kick upon the
restart and seems more than willing to exchange on the feet. A
check left hook gives Fontes pause before they resume throwing
hands.
Adjoudj steps into a clean right hook and sends his dazed opponent
somersaulting backwards. More punches follow before Chapuis rushes
in to call it off. Stellar performance for SBG
Ireland’s Adjoudj.
The Official Result
Asael Adjoudj def. Bruno Fontes—TKO (Punches) 1:11 R2
Round 1
Ladd (11-5, 0-0 Bellator) looks to rebound from a Nov. 24 decision
defeat to two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison, as she
takes on Shakalova (8-1, 1-0 Bellator) in a women’s featherweight
affair. The 26-year-old Shakalova has won six fights in a row.
Chapuis once again draws the officiating assignment. Shakalova
steps into a couple of left hands, resets and fires off a
multi-punch volley. Ladd paws with her job and circles on the
perimeter, staying composed and looking for openings. Shakalova
finds the mark with a kick to the body and appears as though she
wants to lean on volume, at least early in the bout. The Ukrainian
dives on a single-leg, but Ladd deftly defends and exits to the
center of the cage. Ladd doubles up on the left hook but eats
another body kick in response. Shakalova scores with a double-leg
takedown, only to have Ladd wall walk back to her feet. Ladd
presses forward with punches, sprawls on a takedown and grabs the
Thai clinch, connecting with a knee to the body. Shakalova looks
winded with a minute to go in the round. Ladd gets to the Thai
clinch again and scores with more knees to the midsection.
Shakalova completes a single leg takedown, but Ladd sweeps into
mount briefly before returning to her feet. Ladd handling her
business in the clinch with knees and elbows, as the round
closes.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ladd
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shakalova
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ladd
Round 2
Hands on hips, Shakalova emerges for Round 2 visibly fatigued.
Still, she lets her hands go. Ladd marches forward, throws punches
in combination and dodges return fire. She presses Shakalova into
the fence, where she looks to further drain the Ukrainian’s gas
tank. They reset and circle one another. Pace has definitely
slowed. Shakalova fires a few right hands from the collar tie, then
reverses course. Ladd sprawls on a takedown attempt but allows
Shakalova to turn her into the fence. Ladd answers with knees to
the body, as she fights for an underhook. Bleeding from a small cut
near her left eye, Shakalova engages the American in a dirty boxing
exchange. Ladd finds the mark with a short elbow, opening another
cut, and lures her opponent into a guillotine choke. Shakalova
scrambles free. The second cut appears, in the middle of the
forehead, to be more significant. They jockey for position in the
clinch, prompting a referee restart. Shakalova ducks in on a
double-leg takedown with 20 seconds to go in the round but goes
nowhere with it.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ladd
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ladd
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ladd
Round 3
It looks like Ladd’s fight to loss as they head out for third
round. Damage beginning to accumulate on Shakalova’s face. Ladd
marches forward behind punches and immediately sprawls on a
takedown. Shakalova resets, shoots on a double-leg and completes
the takedown. She works behind the scrambling Ladd in a bid to keep
her grounded, but the Californian gets back to her feet. Ladd
executes a double-leg takedown of her own, corrals the legs and
progresses toward the back. Shakalova running on fumes here.
Puzzling restart from the referee, as Ladd was in a dominant
position and had begun hunting a choke. Shakalova throws, but her
shots are labored. Ladd stalks, sprawls on a takedown attempt and
briefly drives Shakalova to a kneeling position. Shakalova escapes,
retreats and dives on a desperate takedown. It fails. Ladd walks
through punches. They trade along the fence as the round drifts
into its final minute. Ladd shuts down another attempted takedown,
braces herself on the cage and scores with punches. Ladd connects
with a knee to the body and a left hook upstairs, then denies a
takedown in the middle of the cage. Ladd lands a glancing head kick
to close it out.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ladd (30-27 Ladd)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ladd (29-28 Ladd)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Ladd (30-27 Ladd)
The Official Result
Aspen Ladd def. Katerina Shakalova—Unanimous Decision (29-28,
29-28, 30-27)
Round 1
Middleweights are next to the stage, as the undefeated Hill (7-0,
2-0 Bellator), aka “The Hillbilly Hammer,” puts his perfect record
on the line against Shipman (15-4, 6-3 Bellator). Mike Beltran
administers the law an order for this 185-pound clash. Shipman
uncorks his hands, then settles into the clinch. Hill connects with
an inadvertent knee strike below the belt, resulting in pause to
the action. Beltran restarts them in the clinch. Shipman scores
with shoulder strikes, then exits with a knee on the break. Hill
takes the center of the cage, bails on an attempted single-leg and
pushes his way into the clinch. Shipman turns him into the fence
and feeds him short punches. Boos from the crowd. Hill breaks away,
sets up shop on the center of the cage and eats a right hook.
Shipman light on his feet, with his hands down. Not much happening
here. Hill ducks a few punches but fails to respond. Shipman scores
with a takedown along the fence and applies his ground-and-pound
but connects with an illegal knee to the face. Beltran deducts a
point upon the restart. Shipman steps into a few knees at close
range, denies an attempted takedown and exits into open space
before throwing another knee. Shipman grabs the Thai clinch and
connects with knees, elbows and hammerfists. Not going well for
Hill near the end of the round. Shipman powers into a takedown in
the waning seconds and cuts loose with hammerfists.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 9-9
Jay Pettry scores the round: 9-9
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 9-9
Hill cannot answer the bell for the second round, and Beltran waves
it off.
The Official Result
Mike Shipman def. Steven Hill—TKO (Retirement) 5:00 R1
Round 1
Experienced lightweights step into the spotlight, as Barnaoui
(20-6, 1-2 Bellator)—a former M-1 Global, British Association of
Mixed Martial Arts and Road Fighting Championship titleholder—tries
to put a two-fight losing streak to bed against Yachi (26-13, 1-0
Bellator). Keith Peterson goes to the post as the referee. Barnaoui
throws out his jab, hoping to exploit an eight-inch reach
advantage. He cuts off a clinch with a series of standing elbows,
then powers Yachi to the ground. Barnaoui in top position less than
a minute into the bout. Yachi has his work cut out for him here.
Barnaoui denies the Rizin Fighting Federation veteran’s bid to get
back to his feet. Yachi eventually returns to a standing position.
Barnaoui drifts into open space, gets his jab going again and
blocks a head kick. Yachi barrels into another clinch, and Barnaoui
dumps him to the ground. Elbows and forearm strikes fall next.
Barnaoui in side control, with Yachi trying to bridge off the
fence.
Focused on defending strikes, Yachi leaves his neck exposed. In a
blink, Barnaoui locks up the brabo choke and forces the
tap.
The Official Result
Mansour Barnaoui def. Yusuke Yachi—Submission (Brabo Choke) 4:08
R1
Round 1
Trabelsi (6-0, 1-0 Bellator) attempts to accelerate his climb on
the heavyweight ladder and overcome close to a 27-pound weight
disadvantage, as he toes the line against Sutherland (6-2, 0-0
Bellator). Peterson serves as the third man in the cage. No glove
touch, as they approach one another in the center of the cage.
Sutherland lands a crushing low kick that drops his opponent to a
knee. The Scotsman using feints to keep Trabelsi guessing and
off-balance. Trabelsi completes a single-leg takedown and settles
in full guard. Heavy ground-and-pound ensues. Sutherland looks like
a fish out of water on his back. Not a good sign with two minutes
left in the period. Sutherland scrambles to his feet, lands a right
hand to the side of the head and then concedes another takedown.
Might only be a matter of time before Trabelsi finishes this. He
uncorks a series of right hands to the head as Sutherland gets back
to his feet in the closing seconds of the round.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
Round 2
Trabelsi greets Sutherland with an overhand right to start the
middle stanza. The action slows to a crawl. Trabelsi finds a home
for his jab, throws in a leg kick and shoots on a single-leg.
Trabelsi completes the takedown and moves into side control.
Sutherland scrambles out of danger and makes his way back to his
feet. Sutherland connects with a leg kick. Trabelsi forces him on
the back foot, scoots in for another single-leg takedown and again
sets up shop in side control. He consolidates those efforts with
elbows and forearm strikes to the head. Trabelsi wheels behind the
kneeling Scotsman, scores with punches while controlling the wrist
and mixes in hammerfists. Sutherland gets back to his feet, only to
be tripped back to the floor. Trabelsi delivers a series of left
hands to the side of the head, as the round closes.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi
Round 3
Trabelsi, likely with two rounds in hand, works behind his jab and
whiffs on an overhand right. Sutherland connects with a kick under
the armpit, then scores with an inside leg kick. Trabelsi fails in
his bid for a takedown, resets in the center of the cage and paws
away with his jab while in a slow retreat. He follows a jab into a
single-leg takedown, scrambles behind Sutherland and wanders into a
kneebar. Trabelsi frees his leg, then wheels behind a kneeling
Sutherland and passes to side control. Undoubtedly exhausted at
this point, Sutherland moves to a kneeling position and tries to
get back to his feet. Trabelsi smothers him and forces it back to
side control. Elbows and punches follow. Less than a minute to go,
and the outcome here looks like a formality. Sutherland escapes to
his feet, lets fly with an overhand right and concedes another
takedown. Trabelsi takes top position and bleeds the remaining time
off the clock.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi (30-27 Trabelsi)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi (30-27 Trabelsi)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Trabelsi (30-27 Trabelsi)
The Official Result
Slim Trabelsi def. Louie Sutherland—Unanimous Decision (30-27,
30-27, 30-27)
Round 1
Perhaps the most intriguing prospect on the card, Colgan (9-0, 6-0
Bellator) faces a significant step up in competition against Gouti
(17-6, 2-1 Bellator) in a three-round featherweight showcase. Gouti
missed weight for the match by nearly two pounds and forfeited a
percentage of his purse. Beltran draws the officiating assignment.
Gouti opens with his jab, commands the center of the cage and gets
off a few combinations. Colgan follows a jab into a double-leg
takedown, scores with a mat return and maintains a body lock, as
Gouti gets to his feet. Colgan answers with a trip takedown, then
another. With Gouti kneeling at the base of the cage, Colgan cuts
loose with a stream of unanswered left hands. The former University
of Wyoming wrestler dominating the early action here. Gouti
retreats to his back and appears to be bleeding from at least one
cut. Colgan progresses to side control and continues to apply his
ground-and-pound. Gouti reclaims full guard and looks for a
breather with a minute to go in the round. Smothering pressure from
Colgan. Gouti scores with an elbow from the bottom, but Colgan
seems undeterred. He rides out the rest of the round in top
position, feeding Gouti punches to the body and head.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Colgan
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Colgan
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Colgan
Round 2
Needless to say, Gouti wants to keep this on the feet. He stands
flat-footed in the center of the cage and paws with his jab, wary
of a takedown that figures to come at some point. Colgan feints a
level change, keeps his hands high and marches forward. Gouti jabs
to the body. Colgan slowly closing in on the UFC veteran and lands
a glancing uppercut. Colgan dives on the legs and secures a
takedown with three minutes left on the clock. He forces Gouti to a
kneeling position along the fence and hammers away with right hands
to the head. Gouti clings to the gloves and grabs the fence,
receiving a warning for both infractions. Colgan mixes knees to the
body with punches to the head. Gouti gets back to his feet. Colgan
answers with brutal foot stomps to the toes, then dumps him back to
the mat. He feeds Gouti knees to the body and continues to pile up
points with short punches to the head, varying the intensity of his
strikes. Gouti has no answers. A dominant performance from Colgan
so far.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Colgan
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Colgan
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Colgan
Round 3
Gouti fires the jab to start the round. Colgan maintains a strong
defensive shell and manages to block much of the incoming fire.
Gouti connects with a nice left hook to the body. Colgan follows a
jab into a double-leg takedown and drives his opponent to a
kneeling position along the fence. Gouti escapes and drifts into
the center of the cage. Colgan slams home a left hook, follows it
with a right uppercut, resets and lets the punches flow. A left
hook sends Gouti stumbling backward. Colgan pursues him to the
canvas, wheels behind him and blasts away with rights and lefts.
Credit to Gouti for staying in the fight, as lesser men might have
folded long ago. He gets back to his feet with a little more than a
minute to go. Colgan not backing down despite a clear lead on the
scorecards. Gouti looks weary and understandably so. Colgan presses
forward with a high guard but eats a few left hooks. They exchange
in the waning seconds. Colgan looks like a future star.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Colgan (30-26 Colgan)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Colgan (30-27 Colgan)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Colgan (30-27 Colgan)
The Official Result
Archie Colgan def. Thibault Gouti—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26,
30-26)
Round 1
Featherweights answer the call to arms, as the resurgent Landu
(20-9, 5-1 Bellator) squares off with Bilharinho (11-2-1, 0-0
Bellator). Peterson administers the law and order for this
145-pound confrontation. They tap gloves and get down to business.
Landu counters an ill-advised spinning attack with a takedown and
crowds the Brazilian in side control. Bilharinho tries and fails to
claim full guard. Landu keeps him away from the fence and continues
to apply pressure from above. Bilharinho gets back to a standing
position, though the Frenchman sticks to him like glue. Landu
scores with a pair of shoulder strikes, eats an elbow to the kidney
and scrambles into top position. Bilharinho kicks him away briefly,
but Landu drops a series of standing-to-ground bombs and wheels
behind his opponent. He has been a step ahead of Bilharinho to this
point. Landu lands a few close-range knees to the body, then
another to the liver. Bilharhino crumples at the base of the fence
in visible distress, and Landu follows up with punches. Bilharinho
appears to have avoided the stoppage, though he was clearly hurt
and figures to be compromised for the remainder of the fight.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Landu
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Landu
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Landu
Round 2
The southpaws get back to business after the one-minute respite.
Bilharinho trying to keep a safe distance with kicks to the body
and lead leg, one of which spins around the Frenchman. Landu ducks
under a sweeping left hook and completes a takedown. Bilharinho
returns to his feet but finds himself trapped the clinch. The
Brazilian secures underhooks and delivers a beautiful body lock
takedown. Bilharinho moves behind Landu and eventually drags him
back to the mat. Landu having trouble disengaging in the clinch,
but uses a kimura to roll into top position. He then transitions to
a potential armbar, with Bilharinho desperately defending.
Bilharinho moves to a more advantageous position, stacks Landu and
frees his limb from danger. Landu stands from the butt scoot
position.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bilharinho
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Landu
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Landu
Round 3
Bilharinho turns away a single-leg takedown attempt and stalks with
a wide stance. The Brazilian fires a body kick and follows it with
a left hand. Bilharinho sprawls on a takedown, but Landu sticks
with it to completion. Landu sticks to Bilharinho as they return to
a standing position. He dumps Bilharinho back to the canvas and
exercises some control midway through the round. Landu not giving
him space to breathe, much less operate. Bilharinho separates and
connects with a partially blocked spinning back kick to the body.
Time running out on the Brazilian with less than a minute to left.
Landu circles effectively on the outside, forcing his opponent to
give chase. Landu keeps him at bay with a snappy jab and starts to
coast as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Landu (29-27 Landu)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Landu (30-26 Landu)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Bilharinho (29-28 Landu)
The Official Result
Yves Landu def. Jonas Bilharinho—Split Decision (29-28, 28-29,
30-27)
Round 1
Business picks up with a middleweight title eliminator between
France’s Babene (23-11, 5-0 Bellator) and Holland’s van Steenis
(14-3, 6-2 Bellator), with the winner likely moving on to challenge
current 185-pound champion Johnny Eblen. The 40-year-old Babene,
who has not lost since April 9, 2013, has rattled off eight
consecutive finishes, seven of them inside one round. Beltran goes
to the post as the referee. Babene rips a right hook to the body
and channels his inner Anderson Silva with unorthodox movements in
a bid to force van Steenis to throw. Van Steenis lures him into
close range and scores with a takedown roughly a minute into the
match. The Dutchman smothers Babene in top position and begins to
work in some ground-and-pound. Van Steenis frees himself from a
triangle choke and moves to north-south position. He grinds elbows
into Babene’s head and settles back into side control. Elbows,
forearm strikes and short punches follow. Babene tries to bridge
out, to no avail. Van Steenis outgrappling the Frenchman to this
point. He powers into mount with 45 seconds to go, forces Babene to
scramble, briefly threatens the neck and attacks with punches.
Babene escapes to his feet and lets his hands go as the round
sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 van Steenis
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 van Steenis
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 van Steenis
Round 2
Van Steenis drives a rear-leg front kick into the Frenchman’s
midsection, then fires a jab and a leg kick. They trade leg kicks,
with neither man gaining a discernible advantage. Babene having
issues getting his offense in gear. Van Steenis cracks him with a
check hook, distracts him with a head kick and swoops in for a
double-leg takedown.
The Dutchman again works to side control, with Babene clinging to a
guillotine. The setup for the shoulder choke in place, van Steenis
locks his hands, applies maximum pressure and finishes
it.
The Official Result
Costello van Steenis def. Gregory Babene—Submission (Shoulder
Choke) 2:16 R2
Round 1
Bellator Champions Series 2 has arrive at its catchweight co-main
event, where the electrifying Doumbe (5-1, 0-0 Bellator) makes his
organizational debut opposite Willis (16-5, 4-3 Bellator) in an
animosity-laced battle at 175 pounds. Beltran serves as the third
man in the cage. Willis tries to keep Doumbe at bay with kicks to
the body, legs and head. Doumbe sprawls on a takedown and wobbles
his opponent with a cross upstairs. He catches an attempted knee
from Willis, floors him with a clean right, dives in top position
and exits back to his feet. Willis still on unsteady feet. Doumbe
stalks, backs the American to the fence and slips while dodging a
sweeping hook. Chants of “Doumbe!” echo in the arena. Doumbe still
in the process of decoding his opponent.
Wilis eats a wild right hook in the middle of an exchange,
faceplants and shells up on all fours. Doumbe swarms with punches,
and Willis fails to mount anything resembling intelligent defense,
even as he gets back to his feet. Beltran
intervenes.
The Official Result
Cedric Doumbe def. Jaleel Willis—TKO (Punches) 3:33 R1
Bellator MMA Bantamweight World Title Bout:
Patrick
Mix (135) vs. Magomed
Magomedov (135)
Round 1
A bantamweight title fight closes the show, as Mix (19-1, 8-1
Bellator) puts his title on the line against Magomedov (20-3, 4-2
Bellator) in the five-round headliner. It marks the second
encounter between the two, with Mix having put the Russian to sleep
with a guillotine choke at Bellator 289 in December 2022. Peterson
draws the officiating assignment. They touch gloves, and the
rematch gets underway. Mix connects with an inside low kick, then
targets the body. Another inside leg kick finds the mark, then
another. Magomedov already looks a bit tentative. Mix drills the
Russian with a right hook upstairs and continues to target the legs
with sharp kicks, making sure to cover up against counterattacks.
Magomedov’s inability to get from Point A to Point B in a straight
line with his punches proving problematic for the challenger. Mix
commands the center of the cage, pecks away with punches and once
again zeroes in on the inside of the lead leg. A left hand from
Magomedov stuns the champion out of nowhere, but Mix manages to
lure him into the clinch after a follow-up flurry. Mix appears to
have steadied himself.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 2
Mix takes the center of the cage. Magomedov opens with more
aggression. He catches a kick, dips in a takedown and wanders into
a guillotine. Mix bites down on the choke, but the challenger
escapes and settles in full guard. Mix works his way back to his
feet. Magomedov connects with hooks from both hands. Tide seems to
have turned, at least temporarily. Mix fires an inside leg kick and
tries to get his jab in gear. A check right hook lands for Mix, but
the Russian walks through it. Magomedov uncorks a front kick to the
body, then sends sweeping hooks upstairs. Mix drops him to a knee
with another leg kick, then sneaks in a right hook. A sharp jab
stuns Magomedov, who recovers and throws in combination. Mix starts
to cut off the cage, forcing the challenge to initiate an
exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mix
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mix
Round 3
Magomedov steps forward with body kicks, misses on both and ducks
in on a takedown. Mix bites down on another guillotine, and though
he fails to procure a finish, he manages to take top position.
Magomedov scrambles to his feet, eats a close-range knee and resets
himself standing. Mix connects with a looping left hook. Magomedov
answers with a body kick. He Russian steps into a jarring left
hand, swarms and connects with a right hook, then chooses to
clinch. Mix was in trouble again but seems to have cleared the
cobwebs. He jabs as the separate. Magomedov finds a home for a leg
kick, then another, and hunts for openings. His jab is starting to
become a factor. Magomedov throws a hook kick to end the round,
resulting in a glancing blow.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
Round 4
Magomedov follows a one-two with a knee up the middle. Mix shoots
on the hips, clinches and fires up the middle. Champion definitely
in a dogfight, no matter how one has it scored to this point.
Magomedov fires a left hook around his rival’s defenses, paws with
his jab and dodges a knee strike and head kicks. Mix works behind
his jab and controls the center. Magomedov touches the inside leg
with a pair of kicks and circles on the outside. Mix follows a jab
with a sneaky right hook. Magomedov steps into a left hand, but Mix
stands his ground. The challenger connects with a right hand and
follows it with a knee that clangs off the body. Some dirty boxing
from both men near the end of the round, with Mix connecting with
knees to the body.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mix
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mix
Round 5
Mix opens with an inside leg kick, doubles up on the jab and fires
his left hand behind it. They clinch in the center, and more dirty
boxing ensues. Magomedov lands a body kick at close range, then
eats a kick below the belt. The accidental foul results in a brief
pause. Magomedov picks up the pace upon the restart. He whiffs on a
Superman punch but follows it with a left hand. Magomedov clinches
and lands a knee up the middle. Mix drives him backward into the
cage but goes nowhere with a takedown attempt. Mix walks through a
right hand and shoots on the hips. Magomedov widens his base,
forcing the champion to turn to a body lock. No luck for Mix.
Magomedov sprawls on another takedown, forcing Mix back to the
clinch. Still anyone’s round—and fight. Mix lands a knee to the
body and a right hand over the top on the break before drifting
back into open space. Ninety seconds to go. Mix continues to
control the center of the cage, as he has done for much of the
bout. The champion shoots on the hips and once again forces a
tie-up. Valuable time ticking off the clock for Magomedov, who
tries and fails to break free. Mix sneaks in an elbow before they
separate. The round ends without anything of consequence landing in
the final exchange.
Sherdog Scores
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Mix (48-47 Mix)
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (50-45 Magomedov)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Magomedov (48-47 Magomedov)
The Official Result
Patrick Mix def. Magomed Magomedov—Split Decision (46-49, 48-47,
48-47)