Chandler and Alvarez had the best fight in Bellator history. Photo: Reproduction/Bellator
MMA is a sport that is growing more and more around the world, with millions of fans and admirers. One of the organizations that contributes to the development and popularization of the sport is Bellator, which has high-level fighters and quality events. Scott Coker's company was sold to PFL, a league that has an innovative competition system, with a regular season and playoffs.
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But before following the new clashes between Bellator fighters in the PFL, how about revisiting the fights that went down in the organization's history? In this text, the SUPER FIGHTS presents the five most fantastic, surprising and historic fights in Bellator, from its creation in 2008 to the present day.
Eddie Alvarez x Michael Chandler – Bellator 58
The best fight in the history of Bellator took place in edition number 58. The event had, in its main fight, the confrontation valid for the lightweight belt (up to 70,3kg.) between Eddie Alvarez x Michael chandler. At the time, the then champion had been undefeated for two years, while the opponent had won the tournament in the organization's fourth season. The duel was voted 'Fight of the Year' in 2011 by Sherdog magazine and ESPN, and is considered one of the best in MMA history.
The first round was intense, with both fighters exchanging blows and takedowns. Alvarez landed an uppercut that shook Chandler, but the challenger recovered and took down the champion. The Iron, as he is known, dominated the actions on the ground, applying blows and trying to finish with a rear naked choke, but Eddie defended well and got back to his feet.
The second round was more balanced, with Alvarez showing more movement and precision in his strikes. Chandler continued to look for takedowns, but Alvarez managed to get up quickly. The two fighters exchanged punches and kicks, with a few moments of advantage for each.
The third round was the most dramatic of the fight. The champion started better, landing a jab and a right that made the challenger bleed. Chandler then responded with a flying knee and cross that took Alvarez down. Michael went for it, but Eddie got up and landed a hook that made his rival fall.
He tried to submit with a hand triangle, but his opponent escaped and took his back. Chandler secured the rear naked choke and forced Alvarez to give up at 3m6. of the third round, becoming the new Bellator lightweight champion.
The fight was a true spectacle of technique, heart and emotion, which established Michael chandler as one of the best fighters in the world and Eddie Alvarez as a warrior who doesn't give up easily. The two would face each other again in 2013, at Bellator 106, in another memorable fight, which ended with 'payback' via split decision, regaining the lightweight belt.
Patricio Pitbull x Daniel Straus 2 – Bellator 132
The rivalry between Patricio pitbull and Daniel Straus had four fights in Bellator, all for the featherweight belt. The second of them, held in January 2015, at Bellator 132, in Temecula, United States, was the most exciting.
Patricio, who had won the first fight by unanimous decision, was defending his title against Straus, who was seeking a rematch. The fight was balanced and contested at a high level, with both fighters showing their skills on the feet and on the ground.
Daniel started better, using his jab and kicks to keep the distance and score. Pitbull responded with counterattacks and takedown attempts, but the American defended well and controlled the actions.
In the fourth round, Patricio returned more aggressive and managed to take his opponent to the ground, taking his back and locking in a rear-naked choke. Straus resisted as long as he could, but ended up tapping out with 11 seconds left in the round.
It was a heroic and dramatic victory for Patricio pitbull, who kept the belt and proved his superiority over his rival.
Patricky Pitbull x Lloyd Woodard – Bellator 62
Another representative of the Pitbull family who starred in a memorable fight in Bellator was Patrício's older brother, Patricky.
In March 2012, at Bellator 62, in Laredo, United States, Patricky faced American Lloyd Woodard, in the quarterfinals of the lightweight tournament. The fight was a real war, with both fighters exchanging powerful blows from the beginning.
In the first round, Woodard knocked Patricky down with a straight shot, but the Brazilian got up and took his opponent to the ground, mounting and attempting a kimura. The American defended himself and reversed position, punishing Pitbull with punches.
Pitbull got up again and landed a series of blows that shook Lloyd, but failed to knock him down. In the second round, however, the exchange remained intense, until Woodard caught the Brazilian in a kimura and made him give up, with an armbar that broke the Brazilian's arm.
It was a dramatic and painful victory for Lloyd Woodard, who advanced in the tournament and showed a lot of spirit.
Sergio Pettis x Kyoji Horiguchi – Bellator 272
The most recent fight on the list took place in December 2021, at Bellator 272, in Uncasville, in the United States. Bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis defended his title against former champion Kyoji Horiguchi, in a duel between two former UFC fighters. The expectation was for a technical and balanced fight, but what we saw was dominance by the Japanese, who imposed his pace and pressure on the North American.
Horiguchi used his speed and movement to land combinations of punches and kicks on Pettis, who couldn't find the distance and suffered from the challenger's attacks. Sergio tried to defend himself and react, but was clearly behind on the score. In the fourth round, when everything seemed lost, he surprised the challenger with a round punch that brutally knocked him out, at 3m24sec.
It was one of the most incredible and unexpected knockouts in Bellator history, which guaranteed Sergio Pettis the first defense of his belt.
Douglas Lima x Michael Page 1 – Bellator 221
The last fight on our list is one of the most famous and controversial in Bellator, which took place in May 2019, at Bellator 221, in Rosemont, in the United States. Douglas lima faced Michael Page, in the semi-finals of the welterweight tournament. The confrontation pitted two of the best strikers in the category face to face, with contrasting styles and personalities.
The Brazilian was the former champion, with a solid and powerful Muay Thai game. The Englishman was undefeated, with a creative and provocative karate game. In the second round, Douglas lima landed a strong kick to the leg of Michael Page, which fell to the side. Lima then took advantage and landed a devastating uppercut on Page, who was down, knocking him out instantly. It was a brutal and historic knockout.
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