Glory and Bellator banded together for a combat sports extravaganza called Bellator Dynamite 1 on Saturday night in San Jose, California. There were three Glory fights on the card highlighted by a bout for the vacant Glory light heavyweight championship.
Saulo Cavalari defeated Zack Mwekassa for the second time to capture the title. Cavalari scored a KO victory over the powerful Congolese fighter back in November 2014. Cavalari had to overcome a few obstacles to win the title.
Cavalari used a knockdown in the second round, a strong fourth- and fifth-round performance to overcome a deducted point for holding, and a fast start from Mwekassa. One judge called the fight even at 47-47; the other two gave Cavalari a 48-47 edge.
Here's a look at the head kick in the second round that caused the knockdown:
Late in the fight, Cavalari had more in the tank, and he was able to use his edge in energy to take away the last two rounds. When the fight was over, Cavalari talked about his win and potential next opponent through a translator:
Daley Less Than Impressive in Victory
Most were expecting Paul "Semtex" Daley to detonate one of his patented left hands on the chin of Fernando Gonzalez. It never happened.
Daley still won the fight by unanimous decision (29-28 x2, 30-27), but Gonzalez had his moments in the third and final round. Semtex looked to lose pace, and Gonzalez took advantage by turning up his punch output.
Two of the judges gave Gonzalez the final round, but Daley's powerful leg and body kicks were the predominant strikes in the first two rounds. Those strikes earned him the decision.
Mrs. Melendez Dominates
Keri Melendez won a lopsided unanimous decision (30-27 x2, 30-26) over Hadley Griffith on Saturday night. It was a historic event as the bout was the first female fight under Glory kickboxing rules.
This one was a mismatch and showcase bout for Melendez—who is the wife of the UFC's Gilbert Melendez. Here's a look at some highlights from the fight:
Griffith had never competed in a professional kickboxing event, and it showed. Her hands and feet were slow as Christmas. Melendez battered her for three rounds and was never threatened.
No Finishes
The fact that there were no finishes on the Glory side might have dimmed an otherwise bright evening of kickboxing, but sharing the stage with Bellator brought the promotion a new level of exposure.
Overall, this was still a win for Glory.
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