Mitrione knocked out Fedor in R1 (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube)
The 'Last Emperor' was deposed. Considered by many to be the best heavyweight in MMA history, Fedor Emelianenko he was no match for the heavy hands of Matt Mitrione, who knocked him out at 1m14s of the second most important fight of Bellator 180, held this Saturday (24), in New York, at the legendary Madison Square Garden.
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This was only the fifth defeat in Fedor's career, who still has 36 wins and 1 I didn't answer. Mitrione, in turn, achieved the most significant triumph in his record, which now has 12 negative results and five negative results. Meathead, as he is known, won for the third time in the organization, all by knockout. Interestingly, before joining the company chaired by Scott Coker, he had fought all of his professional fights for the UFC.
“I knew it was going to be explosive, and that whoever got it right first would win,” declared Mitrione, in the post-fight interview, still in the cage.
The fight
The fight started with a lot of study on both sides, without much effectiveness. In a rare moment in MMA, both men land crosses and fall backwards at the same time. However, Mitrione got up first and attacked the Russian, settling the score after a series of punches.
Chandler is injured and loses the lightweight belt to Primus
Primus is the new lightweight champion (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/BellatorMMA)
The fight for the lightweight belt had an outcome little imagined by fans. In the first minutes of the fight, the champion Michael chandler, a strong favorite against challenger Brent Primus, sprained his ankle and was prevented from continuing in the fight. Thus, Primus was crowned as the new champion of the under 70kg category. The new champion remained undefeated in his career, with eight wins in eight fights. Chandler, in turn, lost for the fourth time in 20 professional fights.
In the post-fight interview, Primus assured that he intends to grant the rematch to his rival. “He deserves an immediate rematch, he is a champion, he is a monster. I would love to face him again, let’s do the rematch,” he declared.
Primus started the fight with a high kick, while Chandler with a good jab that made his rival retreat. However, Chandler stepped wrongly with his left foot and ended up twisting his ankle. He tried to stay upright, but he continued to have difficulty staying upright. The referee then stopped the fight and called the doctor to examine the champion. After a few minutes, it was confirmed that Chandler was not physically capable of continuing in the duel, thus defining Primus as the new lightweight champion.
Douglas Lima beats Larkin and keeps welterweight belt
Lima retained the welterweight belt (Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/DouglasLima)
Before the duel, Douglas lima assured that he could beat former UFC fighters. This Saturday, inside Bellator's circular cage, he proved he was right. After five busy rounds fought on the feet, Lima retained the welterweight belt (up to 77kg) by defeating newcomer Lorenz Larkin in a unanimous decision by the judges (triple 48×47).
With the victory, Lima, who had won the title by knocking out the Russian Andrei Koreshkov, in November 2016, held a strap defense in the company for the first time. On the first opportunity, in 2015, the native of Goiás lost to the same Koreshkov, in the fight following his victory over Rick Hawn, which gave him the hitherto unprecedented title. This was the third consecutive triumph for Douglas, who must face another former UFC fighter in his next challenge: the Canadian Rory McDonald.
“I’m so blessed, I fought so hard to get here. It was difficult to find the distance, but I fit my left hand. He’s very tough,” said Douglas, still in the cage.
The fight
The duel started with the two studying each other, with both insisting on low kicks. Larkin tried to surprise with a high kick, which put his rival in danger. Douglas, in turn, continued to bet on kicks to his rival's legs, which he started to feel. In the final stretch, Douglas landed a good combination of blows and took it to the fence, but the bell sounded.
The second stage started in the same way: Douglas going up and throwing low kicks on the outside of his left leg. Larkins, in turn, tried to respond with crosses. The challenger managed to land a strong blow on Douglas, which he felt. However, when going forward, Larkin ended up being surprised by a powerful uppercut from the Brazilian, resulting in a knockdown. Lima quickly went up, trying to settle the bill, Larkin, however, managed to recover and got back to his feet, but was pressured until the end of the round.
Douglas came back looking defiant, throwing kicks to the waistline. Lorenz tried to respond with jabs, but the Brazilian dodged well as he circled the cage. The American surrounded the champion again, but did little to attack. Lima, more relaxed in the fight, continued to pose danger with strong crosses. Lima still had time to corner Larkin, but it was not effective.
Both came back more cautious for the fourth round, taking little risks. The audience booed, which seems to have woken up the fighters. Douglas landed a strong right blow on Lorenz, who countered with a high left kick. The fight began to be fought in the center of the cage, with Larkin dictating the pace, although without force. In the final minute, the American lost his balance and fell beneath the Brazilian, but had the support of the fence and got back to his feet.
Aware of the disadvantage, Larkin returned more aggressive, throwing strong blows at the Brazilian, who timidly responded with kicks to the legs. The duel continued in the same way until the end, with the challenger pressing and looking for the knockout, while Douglas just paced the duel.
Bellator 180 results
MAIN CARD
Light Heavyweight: Chael Sonnen derrotou Wanderlei Silva in the unanimous decision of the judges (30×27, 30×26, 30×27)
Heavyweight: Matt Mitrione defeated Fedor Emelianenko by technical knockout at 1:14 of R1
Lightweight: Brent Primus defeated Michael chandler by technical knockout (medical interruption) at 2m22s of R1
Lightweight: Zach Freeman defeated Aaron Pico via submission at 24 seconds of R1
Welterweight Weight: Douglas lima defeated Lorenz Larkin by unanimous decision of the judges (48×47, 48×47, 48×47)
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light Heavyweight: Ryan bader derrotou Phil Davis by split decision of the judges (49×46, 47×48, 49×46)
Average weight: Neiman Gracie x Dave Marfone
Feather weight: James Gallagher derrotou Chinzo Machida via submission (rear naked choke) at 2m22s of R1
Flyweight: Heather Hardy defeated Alice Yauger via TKO at 4:47 of R3
Lightweight: Ryan Couture defeated Haim Gozali via unanimous decision (30×26, 30×27, 30×27)
Middleweight: Anthony Giacchina defeated Jerome Mickle via submission (choke) at 3:40 of R3
Welterweight: Hugh McKenna defeated John Salgado via submission (kimura) at 4:06 of R1
Flyweight: Matt Rizzo defeated Sergio da Silva via submission (arm triangle) at 3:48 of R3
Lightweight: Bradley Desir defeated Nate Grebb via TKO at 2:54 of R1
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