N. Gracie celebrates victory for Bellator. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Total run over. In the co-main event of Bellator 266, held this Saturday (18), in California (USA), Neiman Gracie 'forgot' jiu-jitsu and bet on fists. Opponent of Mark Lemminger, the Brazilian took no notice of his opponent and, with a devastating knockout in the first round, settled the bill, putting himself in good condition for a future title fight.
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Current number four in the welterweight division (under 77kg), Gracie climbed into the circular cage to defend his position and get back on track to winning ways. In April, Neiman ended up being surpassed by jason jackson and momentarily moved away from the dream of the title.
The victory this weekend marked the first knockout in the exponent's career in the 'gentle art'. Previously, the Brazilian had nine shots in 10 positive results. After the collision, the Tupiniquim scored his 11th career victory.
Still in the cage, at the microphone, Gracie proposed a confrontation against the Bellator pupil, Michael Page.
Beaten at the weekend, Lemminger was unable to score his second consecutive victory. The North American ended up getting into trouble in the company, with three defeats in five engagements.
The fight
The duel began with Lemminger taking the initiative with a jab, immediately responded by Gracie. Still in the first minute, Neiman closed the distance and went into a grappling fight. The Brazilian landed an upper, which rocked Mark. Sensing the good moment, the Tupiniquim continued striking. Bambo, Gracie's opponent didn't react, which forced the referee to interrupt.
Alejandra Lara disappoints and loses to veteran
D. Bennett surpassed A. Lara in the Bellator 266. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA
At risk of being fired, DeAnna Bennett needed a great performance to keep her job at Bellator. Defeated in her debut for the company and with three consecutive setbacks on her record, the athlete left everything in the cage and surprised by beating the favorite Alejandra Lara. After three rounds, the athlete was announced the winner with a unanimous decision by the judges.
In addition to overcoming a promise from the organization and getting back on track to winning ways, Bennett, 36, has even more reasons to be excited. With the triumph, the fighter should take fifth place in the flyweight rankings (up to 56,7kg.) And, if she continues to triumph, she could reach a title fight.
In her 11th fight as a professional in MMA, Alejandra was unable to repeat her good performances from years ago. With the stumble, the 27-year-old now has two consecutive defeats.
Rogers dominates Karakhanyan and wins on points
S. Rogers abused the grappling and gave G. Karakhanyan no chance. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA
Facing a veteran of the organization, Saul Rogers took no notice of his rival and won again in MMA. Representative of the lightweight category (up to 70,3kg), the fighter faced Georgi Karakhanian and performed a 'monologue'. Using grappling and without giving his rival a chance, the combatant received a positive result in the unanimous decision of the judges.
The victory in Bellator 266 made Saul return to the path of victory. The fighter was struggling in his career when he was defeated by Mads Burnell, in April, with a submission.
Former WSOF champion Karakhanyhan may have said goodbye to Bellator. This weekend's commitment marked the athlete's last match in his current contract with the company. The stumble interrupted a sequence of two victories for the athlete, who has worked for the company since 2015.
Ben Parrish runs undefeated in debut
B. Parrish applies a sequence that knocks out C. Edwards. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA
I couldn't even sweat. In the fight that marked his debut as a Bellator athlete, Ben Parrish put on a real show and 'broke the bank'. Underdog against number eight in the light heavyweight rankings (under 93kg), Christian Edwards, the athlete ignored the dangers and found victory with a brutal knockout just 38 seconds into the match.
With the victory, Parrish makes his Bellator debut on the right foot. After the collision, the fighter must be included in the top 10 of the group led by Vadim nemkov.
Victim of Ben's fists, Edwards suffered the first defeat of his career. Before stepping into the circular cage this weekend, the athlete had five wins in a row.
Grant Neal loses unbeaten record in even fight
A. Polizzi tries to dominate G. Neal in a fight for Bellator 266. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Candidate for a future Bellator light heavyweight (up to 93kg) title fight, Grant Neal he was unable to repeat the good performances that took him to seventh place in the division. In the confrontation that ended the preliminary card, the fighter encountered difficulties and stopped in front of Alex Polizzi. After three rounds, the 'ranked' player ended up defeated in a split decision by the judges.
In addition to running the risk of losing seventh place in the group led by Vadim nemkov, Neal won't forget this Saturday night. The combatant felt, for the first time, the taste of defeat. Before the Bellator 266, the fighter had an undefeated record of six appearances.
Superior in the confrontation for two of the judges, Polizzi has plenty of reasons to celebrate. With the triumph, the athlete reached the ninth victory in his career and should be included in the top 10 light heavyweights.
Former Contender Series wins in debut
A. Adams (right) defeated K. Murtazaliev (left) on points in the Bellator 266. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA
After two failed attempts to reach the UFC, it was at Bellator that Anthony Adams found success. Former Contender Series, the fighter had a tough time in his first test in the 'competition' and knew how to overcome adversity. Khalid Murtazaliev's opponent, the middleweight (up to 83,9kg) managed to control the dangerous Russian and convinced the three judges, winning on points after 15 minutes of competition.
With the result, Adams recovers from the last defeat of his career. The athlete has not performed since August 2020, when he was defeated by Impa Kasanganay, on 'Contender'. Now, the fighter has nine positive results and two negative results as a professional in MMA.
Famous for his knockout power, Murtazaliev was unable to put his main weapon into play. Beaten on points, the Russian lost his unbeaten record in Bellator and now has his third defeat in 18 engagements.
Back after two years, Vaesau runs over
A. Vaesau (right) defeated A. Gonzales (left) by knockout in Bellator 266. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @Bellator MMA
Back in the circular cage after more than two years of inactivity, Abraam Vaesau put on a show. Known for his knockout power, the fighter lived up to his fame and once again ran over an opponent. The victim this time was Albert Gonzales, who succumbed to his opponent's power, collapsing after a fatal combination of blows in the first round.
With the result, Abraham recovers from the defeat he suffered against Brazilian Renato Valente Alvez, in September 2019. Now, the fighter has six victories in nine challenges in MMA.
This weekend's defeat complicated Gonzales' situation. Run over, the fighter now has a negative record, with three stumbles in five challenges.
Rhalan Gracie loses balanced fight and continues without winning in MMA
R. Gracie was defeated in the Bellator 266. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @BellatorMMA
A member of the traditional family of fighters, Rhalan Gracie continues to seek the first positive result in mixed martial arts. After losing in his first two tests in the sport, the fighter failed again in his Bellator debut. Opponent of Shane Keefe, the Brazilian had a balanced duel, but was unable to convince the judges, who, after three rounds, gave his rival the victory on points.
Victorious on the preliminary card, Keefe has a lot to celebrate. Starting his career in MMA, the fighter reached his second positive result in a row and doesn't know what it's like to lose.
With the new setback, Gracie expanded his negative record. Now, the fighter has had three stumbles in three challenges as a professional in the sport.
Bellator 266 results
MAIN CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Phil Davis derrotou Yoel romero in the judges' split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-26)
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Neiman Gracie defeated Mark Lemminger by technical knockout at 1m27s of R1
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): DeAnna Bennett defeated Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-26)
Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Saul Rogers defeated Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Ben Parrish defeated Christian Edwards by knockout 38 seconds ago. from R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Alex Polizzi defeated Grant Neal in the split decision of the judges of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Middleweight (up to 83,9kg): Anthony Adams x Khalid Murtazaliev in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Bobby Seronio III defeated Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
Catchweight: Catchweight: Abraham Vaesau defeated Albert Gonzales by TKO at 2:16 of R1
Welterweight (up to 77kg): Shane Keefe defeated Rhalan Gracie in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Edwin De Los Santos defeated Jon Adams by technical knockout at 3m29s of R1
Catchweight: Jesse Delgado defeated Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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