Emanuel Newton Retains Light Heavyweight Title with Fifth-Round Choke at Bellator 130

Newton retained the Bellator MMA light heavyweight champions, as he submitted Linton Vassell with a rear-naked choke in the fifth round of their entertaining Bellator 130 headliner on Friday at the Kansas Star Arena in Mulvane, Kan. Vassell (14-4, 3-1 Bellator) asked out of the match 47 seconds into round five, halting a career-best nine-fight winning streak.

The champion wandered into trouble early and often. Vassell achieved full mount on multiple occasions in the first two rounds, threatening “The Hardcore Kid” with various submissions. A second-round kimura was particularly dangerous and nearly ended Newton’s reign at 205 pounds, but the Reign MMA and Kings MMA rep managed to escape. Vassell’s inability to finish came back to haunt him.

Newton (25-7, 8-1 Bellator) responded with a strong third round. There, he tagged a fading Vassell with more than one overhand right, struck for a takedown and scored with ground-and-pound. The scene repeated itself in the fourth, and by the start of the fifth, the challenger had little left in the tank. Newton executed a takedown inside 15 seconds, transitioned to the back and completed the no-hooks choke.

Lashley Overpowers, Mauls Etherington

A failed judo throw proved to be Etherington’s undoing. The 39-year-old Englishman fell to the mat and immediately covered up in a prone position. A former World Wrestling Entertainment star, Lashley unleashed with a burst of punches, resulting in a tapout from Etherington (9-1, 0-1 Bellator).

Coenen Choke Submits Bucci

Coenen (22-6, 1-0 Bellator) controlled every aspect of the fight. The 33-year-old struck for takedowns in all three rounds and toyed with Bucci on the ground, as she was effective in top position and from her back. Early in round three, Coenen dragged her counterpart back to the mat, cinched a modified choke from the side and cut off all avenues for escape.

Jansen Wins Seventh Straight

Hawn (18-4, 10-4 Bellator) never got in gear. Jansen kept him at bay from the outside, peppering the inside and outside of his lead leg with one kick after another. His commitment paid dividends, as Hawn grew more tentative and more frustrated with each passing moment. Jansen more than held his own in the exchanges. The 35-year-old mixed in kicks to the body and head, along with high-volume punching combinations, and cruised to the finish line for his seventh straight win.

Prelims: Prospect Caldwell Stays Unbeaten