Bellator put its first pay-per-view behind them, and the co-main event was an interim lightweight title bout between Michael Chandler and Will Brooks.
Brooks entered the event on short notice as a replacement for lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez. He exited with gold around his waist after a contentious decision was read.
It was the best fight of the evening, and Twitter had plenty to say. There was considerable less action on the social media platform, but that was to be expected as Bellator is not the UFC, and this was not on free television. Regardless, this is how the world of MMA reacted to the co-main event.
Round 1
Chandler came out right away to dominate with his wrestling. It appeared that this would be a relatively simple fight for Chandler, as the takedowns he completed were done so in an easy manner. It seemed a clear round for Chandler.
Here comes the real main event, Chandler/Brooks. Let's do this! Don't get Brooks at 8-1 dog, but I don't bet Bellator. #Bellator120
— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) May 18, 2014
Chandler secures the takedown immediately.#Bellator120
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) May 18, 2014
Dominant first round from Chandler. Brooks simply cannot stop that takedown. #Bellator
— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) May 18, 2014
Round 2
It was more of the same in the second round. Chandler dominating with his wrestling, but not able to do much damage.
This has to be one of the worst feelings in sports. "I simply cannot handle this." Like John Starks trying to check MJ.
— Scott Harris (@ScottHarrisMMA) May 18, 2014
Brooks uses butterfly guard and sneaks out the back door and takes Chandler down. Brooks fishes for RNC but Chandler escapes.#Bellator120
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) May 18, 2014
Pro: Brooks is showing VERY savvy grappling defense + meaningfully competing. Con: It's slowing the fight down, making Chandler look average
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) May 18, 2014
It figures that for their first PPV, one of Bellator's good young fighters would improve and use it to nullify the company's best fighter.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) May 18, 2014
Round 3
Brooks turned it on in a big way when he needed to. At one point, Brooks seemed like he was on the verge of getting the stoppage, but Chandler was able to survive. It was a big round for Brooks.
Oh, fight fans. It's midnight ET and Will Brooks is beating Michael Chandler's ass in R3. Fight night is suddenly going defcon, y'all.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) May 18, 2014
Let's play a game calle "Which member of the UFC Lightweight Top 10 Could Michael Chandler Beat?" You go first.
— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) May 18, 2014
Brooks has cut Chandler over the left eye from full mount with a ground and pound assault but Chandler explodes back to his feet.
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) May 18, 2014
28-28 on my card.
— Nathan (@ACCBiggz) May 18, 2014
If this was the UFC Joe Rogan would be telling us about how much the extra muscle he carries around is wearing on Michael Chandler.
— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) May 18, 2014
Forget about what losing means for Shlemenko. Chandler losing for Bellator is disastrous.
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) May 18, 2014
You haven't watched Chandler v Brooks until you watch it with Eddie Alvarez. This is awesome.
— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) May 18, 2014
This fight is tied up on my card. Gotta go 10-8 for Will Brooks in Round 3. A massive upset could be brewing
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) May 18, 2014
Round 4
Brooks kept his offense going into the championship rounds. It looked like he was going to take over late and win. Chandler did not seem to have what he had earlier in the fight. Brooks' punishment was evident on Chandler's face.
Chandler losing the cavalier-giving-up-of-the-back battle to Will Brooks, 4-0. That could tell the tale, Sean.
— Bleacher Report MMA (@BR_MMA) May 18, 2014
Brooks is taking Chandler's back the exact same way every time. That first back take and subsequent takedown profoundly emboldened this man.
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) May 18, 2014
This game of the hand down business needs to stop.
— TJ De Santis (@TJDeSantis) May 18, 2014
38-37, Brooks.
— Nathan (@ACCBiggz) May 18, 2014
38-38
— TJ De Santis (@TJDeSantis) May 18, 2014
I've got Will Brooks up 38-37 after Round 4. At worst, it's tied up at two rounds a piece, but R3 should be a 10-8 IMO
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) May 18, 2014
This could be 38-38, or it could be 38-37 Brooks...or it could be 39-37 Chandler...scores are likely all over the place.
— Steven Rondina (@srondina) May 18, 2014
For the love of Dog, change the rule. How many fight boners could we have collectively popped from clinch knee KOs with that rule changed?
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) May 18, 2014
Round 5
The final round was close, but in the closing minute Chandler hurt Brooks. It appeared that Chandler had taken the final frame, but we would find out that it was not the case for all of the judges. The final five minutes capped off a fun title fight.
Shlemenko would have tapped 12 times by now.
— Jonathan Snowden (@mmaencyclopedia) May 18, 2014
Absolutely amazing determination by Chandler. Tired, hurt, still guts out a decisive round 5.
— Steven Rondina (@srondina) May 18, 2014
48-47 Michael Chandler. Razor tight.
— TJ De Santis (@TJDeSantis) May 18, 2014
I have it a draw. #Bellator120
— Nathan (@ACCBiggz) May 18, 2014
Another AMAZING fight by Michael Chandler. Will Brooks proved to be a great Alvarez replacement. Both guys showed up tonight #bellator #ppv
— MMA Supremacy (@MMASupremacy) May 18, 2014
It wasn't Chandler vs Alvarez 3 but what a FANTASTIC fight between Chandler & the guy I foreshadowed would be a tough out,Brooks!
— Mauro Ranallo (@mauroranallo) May 18, 2014
Gotta go Chandler. Draw in my book. It just feels like Brooks won the overall fight but probably not going down like that #Bellator120
— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) May 18, 2014
I don't know what these scorecards are gonna look like, but I could see Bellator MMA having these guys fight again for a shot at Alvarez.
— Sean Smith (@SeanSmithMMA) May 18, 2014
Win or lose, Will Brooks has a ton of potential in MMA. Imagine if he had a full camp to prepare for Chandler specifically? What a stud.
— Adam Martin (@MMAdamMartin) May 18, 2014
Will Brooks is how you back up talk in this sport. #Bellator120 #Bellator #MMA
— Danny Acosta (@AcostaIsLegend) May 18, 2014
47-47 on my card, but Brooks under PRIDE total fight scoring.
— Nathan (@ACCBiggz) May 18, 2014
This is taking a while. Seems like something is up. Draw coming?
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 18, 2014
Why did Brooks smile there? Did he just see the master scoresheet in his favor there?
— Jordan Breen (@jordanbreen) May 18, 2014
Wow ! Completely unexpected Great fight to both Guys I Have it Even
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) May 18, 2014
Post-Fight
How did that just happen????? #Bellator120
— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) May 18, 2014
Official: Brooks via spilt decision. 7-1 dog. Interim champion. Wow.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 18, 2014
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. This is officially a nightmare scenario for Bellator now.
— Steven Rondina (@srondina) May 18, 2014
So that wasn't supposed to happen.
— TJ De Santis (@TJDeSantis) May 18, 2014
I'll call it now Alvarez has "setback" w/ concussion, while Brooks-Chandler fight again to build Alvarez-Brooks or get Alvarez-Chandler back
— Sean Smith (@SeanSmithMMA) May 18, 2014
I am OK with that decision because Brooks won the fight as a whole. Under 10-point must I don't see how he won though. Draw? Absolutely.
— Nathan (@ACCBiggz) May 18, 2014
Brooks winning is the just dec to me, but w scoring system was draw at best. Can't wait to see full cards. Worth PPV $$$ though #Bellator120
— Paul Gift (@MMAanalytics) May 18, 2014
I filmed Eddie Alvarez watching the fight. Should be interesting for a future piece. I got you guys ;)
— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) May 18, 2014
Rob Hinds' card. pic.twitter.com/IwDbjyUslG
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) May 18, 2014
Another card. pic.twitter.com/Xjf6j4Adi1
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) May 18, 2014
Todd Anderson's card. pic.twitter.com/mSn08Jl3vs
— Luke Thomas (@SBNLukeThomas) May 18, 2014
An interesting decision. Scorecards could have been in any number of directions, but a 48-47 score for Brooks was not thought to be one of them. Nevertheless, Brooks takes the decision and the championship.
