Henderson has a tough fight at Bellator 273, but beats Mamedov and wins in MMA after more than two years

B, Henderson (left) defeated I. Mamedov (right) at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Balance. The word can define the encounter between Ben henderson and Islam Mamedov in the co-main fight of Bellator 273, held this Saturday (29), in Phoenix (USA). In a lightweight clash (up to 70,3 kg), the athletes alternated between good and bad moments and, after three rounds, the former UFC champion was declared the winner in a split decision by the judges.

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With the victory, Ben breathes a sigh of relief in the company. Before climbing into the circular cage, 'Menino Lobo' was under pressure in the organization with three consecutive defeats. Even though he didn't have an easy life this weekend, the 38-year-old veteran proved to be capable of performing at a high level against the best in the category led by Patricky Pitbull.

training partner Khabib Nurmagomedov at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy), Mamedov was unable to succeed in putting his strategy into practice. Even with the 'Eagle' in his corner, the Russian finds it difficult to face the former UFC champion.

In addition to winning again, Henderson also defended sixth place in the division that has Patricky as champion. Islam, in turn, will have to wait for his dream title fight in the company.

The fight

The confrontation began with Henderson risking a low shot, which went empty. Mamedov responded with a kick to the former UFC champion's waistline. After the first minute, the athletes continued studying each other and saved their attacks. With around two minutes remaining until the end of the stage, the Russian started grappling and started to press his opponent against the bars. Almost at the end of the round, Islam managed to get the takedown, but fell into a disadvantageous position. Ben managed to land a guillotine and was pushing hard, trying to force his opponent to tap out. Under pressure, his teammate Khabib Nurmagomedov managed to get out of position and immediately reached the back. The Russian struck, but there was no more time.

In the second stage, Henderson took the initiative again, with a high kick. The Russian responded in kind and tried to find the best distance to reach his opponent. After just over a minute, Mamedov got closer and went for the takedown, but, as in the first round, he was almost caught by a guillotine choke. This time, Islam defended himself well and reversed the situation, trying a rear naked choke. The 'Wolf Boy' also protected himself efficiently, but was in a disadvantageous situation, with his opponent 'glued' to his back. From below, Ben tried an ankle lock, while Islam, on top, attacked with punches. Near the final minute, the Russian attacked the back again and looked for space for a submission. 'Backpacked', the Russian was looking for a mistake from the former UFC fighter to finish. In the final seconds, Mamedov risked the rear naked choke again. Ben threw himself to the ground, blocked the attack and the timer reset.

The final round began with Henderson launching a series of low kicks at Mamedov. The 'Wolf Boy' scored, while the Russian looked for the best moment to attack. The clash remained tense, but with a slight advantage for the former UFC fighter. With just over three minutes left in the fight, the veteran continued walking towards his opponent and tried to nullify Khabib's teammate's strategy. With just over two minutes left in the duel, Mamedov closed the distance and managed to take his opponent to the ground. The American defended himself well and seemed to manage the result. Islam tried to get to his opponent's back, but encountered difficulties. In the final seconds, the athletes were intertwined on the canvas and were unable to achieve any forceful attacks. The confrontation ended with the fighters exchanging blows.

With controversy, Corrales beats Lee on points

H. Corrales (left) defeated A. Lee (right) in a controversial fight at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

A huge controversy marked the second fight on the main card. At a disadvantage in the first two rounds, Aiden Lee suffered a finger to the eye applied by Henry Corrales in the last round and was unable to continue the fight. With the stoppage, the duel went to the judges' decision, who unanimously declared the 'victim' defeated.

When he asked for the confrontation to be interrupted to be evaluated by doctors, Lee was heavily booed by the audience at the Footprint Center. After five minutes of inactivity, Aiden was unable to follow. With the setback, the fighter is unable to reach the second positive result with the organization's gloves.

The underdog at the bookmakers, Corrales was superior in most of the match. The athlete's victory was the fighter's second in a row in the company.

Sabah Homasi surprises and submits Jaleel Willis

S. Homasi submits J. Willis at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Famous for his brutal knockouts, Sabah Homasi showed versatility in the fight that opened the main card. In a welterweight clash (up to 77kg) against Jaleel Willis, the veteran put jiu-jitsu into play and surprised his opponent in a flash. Taking advantage of his rival's carelessness, the fighter threw a katagatame and forced his opponent to tap out less than two minutes into the fight.

With the result, Homasi breathes a sigh of relief in the company. Before the triumph, the fighter was under pressure with two negative results in a row.

A promise in the under-77kg category, Jaleel ends up losing the second consecutive loss in his career. The situation is unprecedented in the 29-year-old fighter's career.

Former champion loses third in a row and gets complicated

E. Barzola defeated D. Caldwell at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Former Bellator bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg), Darrion Caldwell is going through his worst moment as a professional in MMA. Opponent of Enrique Barzola In the fight that closed the preliminary card, the fighter was competitive for two rounds, but ended up succumbing to his rival with a technical knockout in the third round.

With the setback, Caldwell reaches the third negative result in a row, something unprecedented in his career. The athlete should also lose 10th position in the ranking led by Sergio Pettis.

Former UFC representative, Barzola had a dream debut at Bellator. Facing a former champion of the company, the Peruvian had difficult moments, but managed to triumph in his debut. Now, the fighter must take 10th place in the bantamweight division.

Gonzalez massacres Awad with lightning knockout

C. Gonzalez defeated S. Awad with a lightning knockout at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

I couldn't even sweat. In the penultimate fight of the preliminary card, Chris Gonzalez brought fans to their feet with a spectacular knockout. Saad Awad's opponent, in a lightweight clash (up to 70,3 kg), the athlete needed little time to achieve the most brutal outcome of the event, up until that moment, and in a lightning-fast manner. With a devastating high kick in just 36 seconds, the fighter established himself on the show.

With the result, Gonzalez recovers from the defeat he suffered against the Brazilian Goiti Yamauchi, in June 2021. The stumble against Tupiniquim represented the first setback in the athlete's career. Now, the fighter once again dreams of reaching the top of the lightweight division.

Used to running over his opponents, Saad ended up getting a taste of his own medicine this weekend. The loss to Chris was the athlete's 14th as a professional in MMA.

Bellator's 'Creative' dances and wins again

D. Rosta is a promise for Bellator in the middleweight division. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Bellator's middleweight promise (up to 83,9kg), Dalton Rosta gave his opponent a 'ball' on the preliminary card. Provoked by Duane Johnson before the clash, the organization's 'child' proved his superiority in the cage. With precise attacks and great physical shape, the fighter didn't give his opponent the slightest chance and won by unanimous decision from the judges.

The positive result extended Rosta's unbeaten career. Now, the fighter has six positive results in a row, having only played for Bellator, and never being beaten as a professional in MMA.

Annulled for 15 minutes of confrontation, Johnson disappointed. Dominated by Dalton, the athlete lost his first in the company, and third in nine commitments.

Fedor's pupil wins by knockout

N. Mikhailov defeated B. Shutt at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

First student of the legendary Fedor Emelianenko Climbing into the circular cage this weekend, Nikita Mikhailov didn't have an easy time, but he won in his commitment. Opponent of Blaine Sutt, in a bantamweight clash (up to 61,2kg), the Russian had a truncated fight, but found a positive result with a technical knockout in the third round.

Nikita's victory marked the Russian's second positive result with Bellator gloves. With the triumph, the athlete remains undefeated in the organization.

Beaten in the third fight of the show, Sutt continues without winning in the company. With the stumble, the bantamweight now has two setbacks in a row and is in trouble in the company.

Lucas Brennan puts on a show and submits in the first round

L. Brennan fits a hand triangle on B. Lugo. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Promising featherweight (up to 65,7kg), Lucas Brennan shone in the circular cage this weekend. Ben Lugo's opponent in the second clash of the event, the fighter showed off his technique and made the company's bet worthwhile. With a hand triangle, the prospect needed just over two minutes to win, forcing his rival to give up.

With the result, Brennan, just 21 years old, extended his unbeaten record in MMA. Now, the athlete has six positive results in a row and continues without feeling the taste of defeat.

Joy on one side, sadness on the other. Easy prey for Lucas at Bellator 273, Ben didn't have the debut he dreamed of in the company. The defeat made the athlete tie the number of victories and setbacks in his career in mixed martial arts at five to five.

Cauley runs over Parrish and maintains undefeated record

S. Cauley knocks out B. Parrish at Bellator 273. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

At just 25 years old, Sullivan Cauley proved once again that he is a name to be watched more closely by fans. Representative of the light heavyweight category (up to 93kg), the young man once again put on a show and easily defeated Ben Parrish with a knockout in the first round.

Star of the fight that opened the event, Cauley reached the third positive result in his short career so far. With three knockouts in a row, the athlete still doesn't know what it's like to lose as a professional in mixed martial arts.

After a gala debut at Bellator, Parrish did not have the same success as in September 2021, when he massacred Christian Edwards with a knockout in just 38 seconds. With the stumble in front of Sullivan, the fighter loses his first with the organization's gloves.

Bellator 273 results

MAIN CARD

Heavy weight (up to 120,2kg): Ryan bader defeated Valentin Moldavsky by unanimous decision of the judges (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) – Fight for the belt

Light weight (up to 70,3kg.): Ben henderson defeated Islam Mamedov via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Henry Corrales defeated Aiden Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Welterweight (up to 77,1kg): Sabah Homasi submitted Jaleel Willis with a katagatame at 1m42s of R2

PRELIMINARY CARD

Bantam weight (up to 61,2kg): Enrique Barzola defeated Darrion Caldwell via TKO at 3:01 of R3

Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Chris Gonzalez defeated Saad Awad by knockout 36 seconds into R1

Middleweight (up to 83,9kg): Dalton Rosta defeated Duane Johnson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Nikita Mikhailov defeated Blaine Shutt by technical knockout at 3:23 of the third round 3

Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Lucas Brennan submitted Ben Lugo with a hand triangle at 2m27s of R1

Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Sullivan Cauley defeated Ben Parrish by technical knockout at 4:35 of R1