C. Cyborg successfully defends the Bellator featherweight belt. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Brazil smiled at Bellator 249. In the main fight of the event held this Thursday (15), Connecticut (USA), Chris Cyborg confirmed favoritism and overwhelmingly against Arlene Blencowe. The Brazilian submitted the Australian in the second round and defended the organization's featherweight (65,8kg) belt for the first time.
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Another highlight of the show was the good victory of Leandro Higo, who showed all his quality in grappling. The Brazilian submitted the American Ricky Bandejas, a promising bantamweight fighter (61,2kg), and the triumph puts him very close to competing for the category's belt.
Cyborg puts on a show and massacres Blencowe
Arlene Blencowe's boxing experience did not intimidate Chris Cyborg, Alternating punches and kicks, more patiently, the Brazilian was waiting for the perfect opportunity to take down her opponent and show her superiority on the ground. Once the fight went down, Cyborg dominated. He applied a sequence of elbows and almost finished. When they got back to their feet, the Brazilian showed her well-known aggression and threw punches and kicks at Blencowe next to the fence.
The second round started with more excitement and with Cyborg showing the aggression he showed at the end of the first. Again, the plan was to exchange a little on the feet and take down. However, when she did this, the Brazilian's attacks intensified. The punishment suffered by Blencowe on the ground was so great that she was unable to resist and gave up after a fair chokehold.
Despite his glorious career, this was his first submission victory. Chris Cyborg who now has 23 victories in 25 fights in MMA. The Bellator featherweight champion has barely arrived and is already doing considerable damage to the organization.
Leandro Higo shines against Ricky Bandejas
L. Higo beats R. Bandejas at Bellator 249. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
If Patricky Freire couldn't fight at Bellator 249, Leandro Higo represented the 'Pitbull' family very well at the event. The Brazilian didn't have any trouble overcoming Ricky Bandejas who, like him, is a good value at bantamweight.
The first round started evenly, with both fighters exchanging blows while standing, until Higo managed to get closer and take down Bandejas, showing that training with Henry Cejudo, former UFC bantamweight champion, had an effect. From then on, the Brazilian was superior. He applied heavy blows and tried to submit his opponent twice.
The beginning of the second round followed the same script and Higo almost surprised him on his feet, when he applied a spinning elbow. However, there is no reason to regret. Bigger than Bandejas, the Brazilian grabbed his opponent and took him to the other side of the ring, applying a plastic takedown. On the ground, Higo was, once again, superior and, this time, defining the fight with a choke.
Leandro Higo, 31 years old, debuted in Bellator in 2017, fought six fights for the organization, winning three and losing three. The beautiful and important triumph in the 249th edition was the Brazilian's second in a row. On the other hand, Rick Bandejas, 28 years old, had his third fight in 2020, however, despite being talented, his phase is not good, as this was his second consecutive defeat, equaling his worst moment in the company, in 2019.
Mowry dominates Teed
The fight between heavyweights Steve Mowry and Shawn Teed would close the preliminary card and was moved to the main card due to the cancellation of Patricky Freire x Jeleel Willis and the change was worth it. Mowry took advantage of the highlighted moment and simply took no notice of his opponent. Making use of his two meter height, the fighter abused the muay thai clinch and landed several knees to his opponent's face. Teed, uncomfortable with the difference in size, had no response to stop his opponent's attacks and succumbed at the end of the first round.
The good victory showed that Mowry is not just about size. The 28-year-old North American is young by heavyweight standards, is undefeated and won the eight fights he fought in MMA via the fast track, three by knockout and five by submission.
Bellator 249 results
MAIN CARD
Feather weight: Chris Cyborg defeated Arlene Blencowe via submission at 2:36 of R2 – Fight for the belt
Bantamweight: Leandro Higo defeated Ricky Bandejas via submission 2m32s into R2
Heavyweight: Steve Mowry defeated Shawn Teed by knockout at 4:22 of R1
Lightweight: Saad Awad x Mandel Nallo ended with no result (No Contest) 1m44s from R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Middleweight: Andrew Kapel defeated Joseph Creer via TKO (medical stoppage) at 5:00 of R2
Welterweight: Kemran Lachinov defeated Kyle Crutchmer via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Catchweight: Hristian Edwards defeated Hamza Salim by submission at 1m28s of R2
Catchweight: Da'Mon Blackshear defeated Mike Kimbel via submission at 4:14 of R2
Catchweight: Aviv Gozali defeated Logan Neal via submission at 3:22 of R2
Catchweight: Albert Gonzales defeated Kastriot Xhema by technical knockout (withdrawal) at 5m00s of R2
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