Sherdog.com will report from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., at
approximately 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with play-by-play and live
results of Bellator
94, which is headlined by two Bellator Season 8 tournament
bouts.Check out the MMA
Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and
predictions below. Have a question for Sherdog.com's medical
expert? Tweet The Fight Doctor via @FightMedicine.
Round 1
The women close the distance on one another and Clark throws Herrig
to the mat with a headlock throw. Clark sets up from half guard,
trying to pound to the body of Herring and open up a guard pass.
Herrig keeps Clark's right leg locked down, denying her the pass as
Clark works for a guillotine from the top. Left punches and
forearms land for Clark, who is having her way positionally with
Herrig. Clark looks for a kimura on the far arm. No matter if
Herrig tries to tie Clark up or to sweep her, the Jackson's MMA
fighter stays on top, pounding away.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Clark
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Clark
Round 2
Herrig stays outside to begin the second row, landing low kicks and
teeps. Clark is able to counter with her hands on the occasion when
Herrig does get close, slowlng her offense. The women exchange hard
left hooks. Clark looks upstairs for a right head kick, but Herrig
rushes her with punches and pushes her back to the fence. Referee
Jorge Ortiz pauses the action briefly to discard one of Herrig's
neon yellow hair extensions which had come loose. Herrig runs into
the clinch again and tries to inside trip “Hurricane” to the
canvas, but Clark tries to counter with another headlock throw. In
the double-botched takedown attempt, Herrig winds up taking Clark's
back and sinks in a body triangle as she grapples for a rear-naked
choke along the fence. Clark ably defends, but Herrig maintains
position and punches until the horn.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Round 3
Photo:
Keith Mills/Sherdog.com
Herrig got a leg up from back mount.
Both Herrig and Clark probe the distance with kicks, but it is
Herrig who scores first, flurrying with her hands to the body and
upstairs. Clark throws a teep up top that grazes the cheek,
prompting another clinch from the “Lil' Bulldog,” and finally a
successful trip takedown. Herrig sets on top as Clark looks for a
triangle choke. Clark looks for a kimura on the nearside arm but
Herrig powers free. Herrig gets to half guard and as Clark tries to
buck away, the Jeff Curran understudy passes over her legs and
takes full mount. Clark rolls and we're back where the second
stanza ended, with a Herrig body triangle on the back of Clark.Clark pins Herrig's left arm with her own so Herrig goes for a
one-armed rear-naked choke, gripping her own shoulder. Clark
grimaces but toughs it out, tightly pinning Herrig's other arm to
prevent her from finishing the choke. Clark rolls again and Herrig
stays glued to her back, fishing for the choke. With 10 seconds to
go, Herrig punches away before slipping over Clark's back. Clark
winds up on top, but it's too late. The bell rings, Herrig jumps up
and celebrates in Clark's face, prompting some after-the-bell shots
from both women.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Herrig (29-28 Herrig)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Herrig (29-28 Herrig)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Herrig (29-28 Herrig)
Official result: Judge Mike Ross sees the bout
29-28 for Heather Clark, while Chris Lee scores the contest 29-28
for Felice Herrig. Deciding judge Richard Davis sees the bout 29-28
for the winner by split decision, Felice Herrig.
Round 1
Fryklund feints and hits Cenoble with some tepid inside leg kicks.
Cenoble, on the balls of his feet, wades back and forth looking for
hard counterpunches. He rips “The Freak” with a short right as he
comes in, then stuffs his attempted to takedown with a firm
overhook. Fryklund pushes him to the fence and peppers him with
pawing shots as he tries to drag the taller Cenoble to the mat.
Cenoble breaks free and wades forward with his offense now, swiping
at Fryklund to the body and head with heavy, whipping punches.
Fryklund shoots and is stuffed again. The Florida fighter is
looking confident with his boxing now, rolling side-to-side on the
feet and cracking Fryklund with both hands. Right crosses and right
uppercuts rake Fryklund, who is finally able to twist Cenoble to
the mat and stop the thumping on the feet. Fryklund's face is
bloodied, crimson pouring from above his eyes. Fryklund chips away
on top until Cenoble kicks him away and works back to his feet with
just over 30 seconds to go. Left hook to the body lands for Cenoble
before Fryklund drives him to the mat before the bell.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cenoble
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cenoble
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cenoble
Round 2
Fryklund comes out guns blazing, racing at Cenoble with a chain of
one-two's, just glancing his target. The UFC veteran does put
Cenoble on his heels, setting up a takedown. Cenoble grabs the
fence and attempts to use it to stand back up from the mat, but
referee Troy Waugh instantly steps in and docks him a point for his
blatant foul. The fight resumes on the feet and Fryklund plows
Cenoble to the canvas again, looking for a keylock on top. He's
unable to keep down the squirrely Cenoble, who comes back to his
feet with the same wild swinging style. Fryklund covers up high and
puts Cenoble on the mat with another double-leg takedown, bodying
him along the cage with some punches. Cenoble gets back to his
feet, but his shoddy wrestling lets him down again as Fryklund
dumps him on his seat. Fryklund tries to pin Cenoble's right arm
underneath his own body while landing short lefts. Cenoble breaks
free and spins in vain pursuit of an armbar. Fryklund lands some
more grinding shots on top before the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Fryklund
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Fryklund
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Fryklund
Round 3
Cenoble sticks his long jab in the 42-year-old Fryklund's swollen
face, easily shrugging off his desperate takedown attempts. Cenoble
is now loading up on each southpaw power shot like a video game
character. Fryklund shoots and clings to Cenoble's wrist while
getting decked. “The Freak” is a punching bag at this point, as the
local fighter cuts angles and bashes him to the head and body with
both hands.
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Cenoble's lack of takedown defense left
him disappointed against Fryklund.
After 90 seconds of one-sided abuse, Fryklund desperately kneetaps
his way to a takedown and gets to north-south position. Cenoble
turns to scramble, Fryklund nearly takes his back, eventually
settling for a top crucifix. Cenoble peels the exhausted Fryklund
off of him and slides out the back door, getting back to his feet.
Fryklund jumps right into a hard left from his foe, but easily puts
him on the canvas once more. Cenoble is trapped up against the
fence with the spent Fryklund tiredly punching away. Cenoble slides
up the fence with just seconds to fight and is unable to land
anything else before the bell.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cenoble (28-28 Draw)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10 (29-28 Fryklund)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cenoble (28-28 Draw)
Official result: Judge Don Balas has the bout
29-27 for Patrick Cenoble, while judge Chris Lee sees it 29-27 for
Tony Fryklund. Judge Richard Davis sees the bout an even 28-28,
making the bout a split draw.
Round 1
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Berto showed his roots with the leglock win.
Carvalho starts with a hard inside low kick and Berto tries to
return with a roundhouse kick upstairs. “Little Tiger” shoots in
but the Brazilian stuffs his takedown and stands. Carvalho kicks
low again, but Berto comes back with a sizzling right cross that
freezes Carvalho, sending his mouthguard flying and dropping him to
the canvas in survival mode. As Berto swarms for the finish,
Carvalho locks an armbar. Berto stands up and gives referee Jorge
Ortiz a thumbs up as he wiggles his elbow free. The Florida fighter
instantly grabs a leg and rocks back for an inverted heel hook.Carvalho tries to roll through, but the EliteXC veteran cranks it
tighter. Carvalho is forced to tap out at 1:27 of the first
round.
Round 1
The fighters exchange briefly before Rogers scoops up Taimanglo and
walks him across the cage for a huge slam. Rogers postures up in
his opponent's guard but can't seem to get much offense going.
Taimanglo manages to stand and from there, begins controlling the
tempo against the cage, landing short shots inside. The two split
and Rogers sweeps the leg of the fighter from Guam, who recovers
quickly and scores a huge slam of his own. "The Juggernaut" moves
from half guard to obtain side control, secures a crucifix and
punches away. Taimanglo tries to pass further, initiating a
scramble back to the feet before the bell.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Taimanglo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Taimanglo
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Taimanglo powered his way to the tap.
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 TaimangloRound 2
Taimanglo walks through Rogers' kicks, ducking low and slamming him
with a high-crotch lift just seconds into the second frame. The
Guamanian fighter quickly moves to north-south position and then
locks up a choke. The HIT Squad fighter is stuck the choke and
can't escape. The north-south choke brings Taimanglo the tap at 33
seconds of round two.
Round 1
Vidonic throws a one-two, allowing Aguilar to tie her up and throw
knees to the body. Aguilar runs her foe back to the fence and
elevates her, slamming Vidonic down to the mat. Aguilar keeps her
legs hooked, trying to pass into side control but eventually
settling for half guard. The flexible Vidonic regains full guard
and stays active from her back, trying to climb up for an armbar on
Aguilar. “Jag” can't get her hands free to really land any
ground-and-pound with the Oregonian constantly tying her up and
looking for submissions. Vidonic keeps elbowing from the bottom and
looking for submissions on Aguilar, who buries her head into
Vidonic's stomach until the bell rings.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Round 2
Vidonic again punches to the clinch, where Aguilar reaches for the
double collar tie and goes to work with a short volley of knees.
Vidonic tries for a change of venue, pressing Aguilar into the cage
for a single-leg takedown but “Jag” takes Vidonic off her leg and
runs her back into the fence. The action slows to a crawl as the
women jockey for position along the cage. Just past the halfway
mark of the round, Vidonic yanks Aguilar's leg out and deposits her
on the canvas. Vidonic crossfaces Aguilar and digs to the body with
right hands. Aguilar opens up and looks for an armbar, but eats
left hands and forearms for it. Aguilar keeps looking for the
armbar but Vidonic simply hammerfists in response. Aguilar finally
turns and gets decent position on Vidonic's arm but the Oregon
fighter stacks her against the fence and punches with her free arm
until the round expires.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Round 3
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Aguilar's wrestling helped her eke by.
Vidonic wings forward with some ugly right hands, prompting another
collar tie from Aguilar. “Jag” digs to the body with knees before
trying to muscle her way to a takedown. Vidonic controls Aguilar
with an overhook, but the American Top Teamer stays busy with right
knees. Aguilar foot sweeps Vidonic, smartly putting her opponent on
the mat. Aguilar is determined to pass Vidonic's half guard but
can't advance in spite of her efforts. Vidonic squirms on the
bottom, hooking through Aguilar's knee and looking half-heartedly
for a sweep.Aguilar gets back into Vidonic's full guard, but just as was the
case in the first frame, can't find any substantial offense.
Referee Jorge Ortiz stands the pair up with just over a minute to
fight. Upon retaking their feet, both women run to the clinch
again, where Aguilar lands with clean knees to the body once more.
Vidonic pushes her to fence wall again, with both fighters
exchanging short knees to the midsection until the final bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Vidonic)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aguilar (29-28
Vidonic)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vidonic (30-27 Vidonic)
Official result: Judge Chris Lee scores the bout
29-28 for Jessica Aguilar, while Richard Davis sees it 29-28 for
Patricia Vidonic. The deciding scorecard comes down to Mike Ross,
who scores the contest 29-28 for the winner by split decision,
Jessica Aguilar.
Round 1
After a for-show exchange of hands, Horton drops levels and runs
Sakai into the cage in pursuit of a takedown. Sakai turns him
around and drills him with knees to the body before separating.
Horton bulls forward, landing a short right hook before essentially
bowling Sakai over. Sakai hits the deck and Horton moves to full
mount. Unfortunately, Sakai rolls and the novice Horton can't sink
his hooks to keep the position. Sakai ends up on top, peppering the
Floridian with right hands until he reaches his feet. Horton gets
to his feet, but eats two wild shots from Sakai and another volley
of knees. Sakai continues to tie up Horton along the cage, denting
his legs up with short knee strikes. They separate and both men
have resorted to slow, lunging shots from the outside. Horton runs
Sakai down to the mat with just over 10 seconds to go but does
nothing constructive with it.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Round 2
The second round begins where most of the first frame occurred,
with Sakai running Horton back into the cage and hammering him with
knees. Horton gets free but takes an outside low kick that almost
trips him to the mat. The Brazilian native lands two more sharp
knees to the face and a left hand to the mouth. Sakai drives to the
body with knees until one grazes Horton low, prompting referee Troy
Waugh to pause the bout momentarily. Upon resumption, Sakai walks
Horton down again, cracking him with another outside low kick and
initiating the clinch again.
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Kakai's knees destroyed Horton's face.
More knees from Sakai land while Horton's back is trapped against
the fence. Blood is smeared across Horton's face, below his nose.
More knees and left hands for Sakai land but Horton battles off the
cage, only to eat more punishment. Sakai looks exhausted from
beating Horton up at this point. Another massive knee from the Thai
clinch snaps the Tampa, Fla., native's head up. Sakai with another
left hand, pushing Horton on his heels to the other side of the
cage. Sakai clinches up once more, driving a knee between Horton's
exhausted guard, square to the face.Horton instantly falls to all fours and referee Troy Waugh has
finally seen enough. The thumping mercifully comes to an end at
4:01 of the second round.
Round 1
Williams gets in Moss' face quickly, feinting and putting the
“Kaveman” on his heels. Williams gets him back to the cage and
sucks him to the canvas. Williams quickly postures up in full
guard, punching with both hands. Moss tries to kick him away, but
Williams stays glued to him on top, stacking and punching. Moss
keeps trying to sneak up the fence as Williams punches away. He
finally gets close, but Williams locks up a tight guillotine,
torquing Moss' head to the side. Moss escapes the choke initially,
but Williams is still glued his head. The Orlando, Fla., fighter
keeps the front headlock on Moss, locks up another guillotine choke
and drives him back to his seat. Moss is trapped on his seat and
forced to tape at 3:19 of the bout.Bellator 2013 Summer Series Bantamweight Tournament
Qualifier:
Ronnie
Mann vs. Rodrigo
Lima
Round 1
Lima nervously feints and circles on the outside while Mann takes
the center of the cage and looks to counter. Lima throws a wild
overhand right and eats two quick shots in return. The Brazilian
returns with a low kick and just misses the business end of a Mann
counter right. Mann cracks Lima with a good hard low kick of his
own, but “Ratinho” struggles to land kicks of his own without Mann
catching them and countering him. Another Mann right lands when
Lima loads up on a rear uppercut. Mann kicks low and eats a right
hook from Lima that drops him to the mat. “Ratinho” is in frenzy
mode, gunning away with both hands as Mann covers up and recovers.
“Iron” has his wits about him quickly and takes the center of the
cage again. Mann kicks once more and Lima unloads three right hands
that smack Mann's mouthguard loose from his mouth. Lima is looking
for the overhand right off of every Mann low kick now. The two size
one another up some more but neither man lands another clean blow
before the round ends.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lima
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lima
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lima
Round 2
Lima kicks on leg kicking, even as Mann grabs at his legs and keeps
looking to counter. Mann throws a right body kick and Lima catches
him with a right hook. “Ratinho” drops for a takedown, running Mann
back into the cage for a moment before stepping away. A long right
cross from Lima snaps Mann's head back. Mann keeps his workrate up
with the outside low kick to Lima's left leg but is more gunshy
after feeling “Ratinho's” power. Mann kicks to the body again,
prompting a forward rush from Lima. Mann avoids the brunt of Lima's
heavy blows and resets standing. Mann sticks Lima with two knees to
the face as the Brazilian fighter charges in, but Lima punches
right through the clinch to get free.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lima
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lima
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lima
Round 3
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Lima got the better of Mann everywhere.
Each time Mann closes the distance, Lima continues to swing wild
hooks to keep his opponent away from him. The Brit tries to flash
his jab but can't locate the Brazilian. Mann tries to charge Lima
but “Ratinho” grabs a front headlock in the scramble and snaps him
to the mat. Lima keeps the front headlock, working to pass to the
full mount while controlling the head and neck. After achieving a
stable top position, Lima opts to release the headlock, pounding
away on top from half guard. Lima continues to step over Mann's
right arm, pummeling his foe with left hands and forearms.When Mann tries to roll inside to look for a takedown, Lima seeks a
brabo choke. Mann explodes and initiates a scramble that nets him
top position, but he winds up instantly trapped in a “Ratinho”
traingle. Lima doesn't have the choke airtight, so he uses it to
control his opponent and pelt him with punches and elbows until the
final bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Official result: All three judges -- Don Balas,
Chris Lee and Mike Ross -- score the bout 30-27 for the winner by
unanimous decision, Rodrigo Lima. Lima earns a berth in the
Bellator 2013 Summer Series bantamweight tournament with the
victory.
Bellator Season 9 Welterweight Tournament Qualifier:
Luis
Melo vs. Trey
Houston
Round 1
Melo is in Houston's face quickly, but almost eats a roundhouse
kick to the head for it. “Sergio Junior” attacks with knees in
close, but as soon as Houston gains his bearings, he puts Melo on
the mat and punches from full guard. The Tulsa, Okla., fighter
steps away, allowing Melo to stand up. Just as soon as they resume,
Houston walks into an inside low kick from Melo and takes the
impact straight on the cup. Houston goes down on all fours courtesy
of the groin shot that brings instant apologies from Melo. The
Brazilian fighter is the aggressor, keeping Houston on his heels
with attacking punches. Melo essentially trips Houston to the
canvas with his forward pressure, winding up on top in full guard.
“Sergio Junior” is pounding ably with both hands, passing under
Houston's legs to side control. Clean right hands are landing for
Melo as Houston thrashes around on the bottom. Melo stands back up
and delivers some more heavy shots from Ali-Inoki position before
settling back on top and punching Houston in the mouth. Houston
finally kicks Melo off of him and gets back to his feet. Houston is
coming forward, scoring with rangy punches. Melo, his back to the
fence, explodes forward into another takedown with approximately 30
seconds to go in the round. Houston ties up his arms well to avoid
any punishment before the bell sounds.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Melo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Melo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Melo
Round 2
Houston shows more of his kicking offense early in the second
round, even putting a teep to the mouth of the Brazilian. The
Oklahoman is able to get a bit of a brawl started, enticing the
Brazilian into changing blows with him. Melo manages not to eat any
major blows, but as he looks to clinch, Houston decks him with a
right cross the spills him on the mat. In the blink of an eye “That
Just Happened” is on his back looking for a rear-naked choke.
Houston is able to sink the choke but can't secure his hooks,
allowing Melo to turn into him and escape. The Brazilian gets back
to his feet, undaunted, punching his way right into another
takedown against Houston. “Sergio Junior” has slowed considerably
but still manages to land some clean blows on Houston's face. Melo
passes under the legs to side control again and nearly manages to
go right to a north-south choke from there. Houston spins out, but
gets trapped on all fours with Melo pounding away. The Brazilian
stands and cracks Houston in the ribs with a nasty soccer kick,
then dives back into his guard. Melo keeps diligently pounding
away, eventually forcing Houston into the turtle position again.
Houston tries to forward roll into a more advantageous position,
but Melo controls his waist and keeps punching away until the bell
dings again.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Melo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Melo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Melo
Round 3
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Melo's rugged game left Houston ragged.
A right hand and a knee land for Luis Melo, who has reddened the
face of Trey Houston considerably at this point. The tiring Houston
walks right into another level change from the Brazilian and gets
put back on the canvas. Houston just looks spent at this point in
the fight. Melo begins punching at will and casually moves into
mount. Just as soon as he takes full mount, he secures an
arm-triangle choke and barely even has to pass to the side to
finish it. The worn-down Houston taps quickly at 1:09 of the final
frame. Luis Melo now qualifies for Bellator's Season 9 welterweight
tournament.Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Final:
David
Rickels vs. Saad Awad
Round 1
Awad slips on the first kick he throws, but Rickels patiently lets
him take his feet before slipping two low kicks in. Awad tries to
aggressively throw combos on Rickels, but the “Caveman” covers up
well and returns fire. Rickels sticks his jab out and continues to
sweep low with his kicks to stop the advancing Awad. Awad comes
back with outside low kicks of his own, chopping into Rickels in
return. Awad chases Rickels back to the fence again and explodes
into the clinch, ragdolling the former welterweight to the mat.
Awad pushes Rickels across the canvas to the fence, which Rickels
shrewdly uses to stand back up. Rickels exposes his back and Awad
clings to a rear waistlock. The Californian lifts Rickels up from
the waistlock and dumps him on the mat again. Rickels tries to
upkick, but Awad lands more clean hammerfists before settling back
into his guard. Awad stands again, securing a front headlock as
Rickels tries to roll forward. Rickels escapes before the bell.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Awad
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Awad
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Awad
Round 2
Awad catches Rickels' first kick, nearly putting him on the mat.
Rickels wriggles free but Awad stays glued to him, driving him into
the cage and dumping him on the mat. The Derby, Kan., fighter gets
back to his feet and yanks Awad to the canvas from the waistlock
this time. Rickels sets up shop in half guard, landing short
elbows. Awad is able to sweep Rickels and roll through, taking top
position and winding up in Rickels' full guard. The Millenia MMA
fighter cracks Rickels with solid lefts while Rickels looks for an
armbar. Rickels continues trying to climb the ladder and look for
submissions, but Awad powers out. Awad reaffirms his top position,
grinding with short elbows on Rickels, who is trying to shrimp his
way back to the fence. Awad stands briefly but dives into Rickels'
half guard before the bottom man can hop back to his feet.
Photo: K.
Mills/Sherdog.com
Rickels' bizarre walk-off KO earned him
a Bellator lightweight title shot.
More lefts for Awad land but Rickels shimmies up the cage with just
under 30 seconds to go. Rickels just misses a left elbow, but
glances with a left cross along the fence. Rickels rips back with
two more left hooks that stagger Awad along the cage. Rickels then
lands a right cross just a second before the bell that drops Awad
to his face. The bell ends the round, but Awad remains down on the
mat. Despite time seemingly having expired, referee Troy Waugh
calls the bout and awards it to David Rickels via knockout. Rickels
wins the Bellator Season 8 lightweight tournament title at 5:00 of
the second round.Bellator Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament Final:
Emanuel
Newton vs. Mikhail
Zayats
Round 1
Both fighters gauge the range with kicks from the outside, but it's
Newton who explodes forth with rushes of punches and side kicks.
Zayats avoids eating serious leather on the first two Newton
rushes, but “The Hardcore Kid” is clearly looking to score haymaker
shots. Zayats lands a short left hook before ducking out of the way
of returning Newton fire. Zayats tags Newton with a clear right
cross, then another one. Newton opts to take the fight to the
canvas, putting Zayats on his back and hammerfisting away from full
guard. Zayats tries to turn for armbars but the Californian just
punches through the attempts. Zayats shrimps to the fence and uses
the cage to get back to his feet, but Newton gets double underhooks
and almost slams him to the mat. Zayats blocks the first elevation
attempt, then rolls through the second, nearly landing a guillotine
choke. Newton is bullish, running Zayats back into the fence,
turning the corner and punching away from behind. Newton keeps
trying to sink his arm under Zayats' chin in pursuit of the
no-hooks rear-naked choke. Newton boxes Zayats ears on the floor
until the Russian gets back to his feet just to hear the bell.Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton
Round 2
Wild right hands from both tournament finalists sail wide of their
targets. Newton creeps forward slowly on Zayats but can't land
clean with his sudden bursts of punches and kicks. “The Hardcore
Kid” unloads a spinning wheel kick that is not in Zayats' zip code.
It's a more tentative, stalking start to the second round and when
the fighters to throw punches, they're not landing clean if at all.
Heavy feinting from both fighters. Zayats slips in a left cross to
the kisser and Newton can't follow up after clinching. Newton
continues to flash crescent kicks and the like from the outside but
can't put his mitts on Zayats. Zayats lands a right hand that rips
Newton open above the left eyebrow and then drives him to the
canvas at the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Round 3
Newton throws a left body kick and eats a Zayats right hand. The
American works his way into the clinch, pressing Zayats' back to
the cage, punching to the body and trying to drag him to the mat. A
tiring Zayats grabs onto a headlock briefly before Newton frees
himself. Newton trips Zayats to the mat for just a second, but the
Russian gets to his feet and breaks away from Newton's grip. A head
kick from Newton clips Zayats but the overhand right directly
behind it drops him on his seat. Newton dives on the Russian
quickly, nearly locking up a bulldog choke in the process, but
Zayats twists out of it and gets back to his feet. Newton switches
to southpaw briefly, then back again, just investigating potential
kicking attacks on Zayats. Newton jabs, turns sideways while eating
a Zayats counter and tries to rip him with a spinning back fist
like he did to Mo Lawal. Zayats shoots a double-leg takedown then
switches to a single, but Newton is back to his feet as soon as he
touches the canvas. Under a minute left to fight. Newton lands two
left roundhouses to the body then eats a Zayats cross. “The
Hardcore Kid” opts to play it safe, dragging Zayats to the mat. The
Russian nearly locks up an armbar, but Newton escapes and punches
away until the final bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton (29-28 Newton)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Newton (29-28 Zayats)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton (29-28 Newton)
Official result: All three judges -- Don Balas,
Richard Davis and Mike Ross -- score the bout 29-28 for the winner
by unanimous decision and the winner of Bellator's Season 8 light
heavyweight tournament, Emanuel Newton.