As with every major show, Bloody Elbow will be here to bring you live results, play by play and commentary for Bellator 63. Our live coverage will start with MTV 2 broadcast (8 p.m. ET) so make sure to make Bloody Elbow your home for this event. We will not be doing play-by-play of the undercard, but you can discuss those fights in the comments as well.
The Welterweights get into action tonight with the opening of the Bellator 170 lb tournament. The card is headlined by the quarterfinal match featuring Chris Lozano (9-2), an Ohio based fighter who lost to last year’s winner of the Welterweight tourney. In his way is the French Judoka “Psycho” Karl Amoussou (13-4-2).
Just before the main event Bloody Elbow community member and UFC veteran Ben Saunders (12-4) will faced off against the undefeated Raul Amaya (9-0). Another undefeated prospect David Rickels (9-0) will take on short notice replacement Jordan Smith (17-2), who got the call when UFC veteran Brian Foster failed him medical exam.
The first match of the night will be between Brazilian Carlos Alexandre Pereira (33-9) and Bellator veteran Bryan Baker (16-3), who is dropping down from Middleweight to take part in the welterweight tournament.
Join me here in the comments and let’s have a rollicking good time tonight.
Ben Saunders vs Raul Amaya
Season 6 Welterweight Quarterfinal
Ok getting things started with BE favorite Ben Saunders facing undefeated prospect Raul Amaya. Saunders is the much taller and experienced fighter.
Round 1: Ben gives a BE shout out and the bell is rung. Saunders throws a kick, Amaya clinches and has Saunders against the cage. Saunders defends the single leg by working for a kimura. Saunders has the arm but can’t get it behind Amaya’s back. Saunders lets it go and gets an underhook and throws a nasty knee. Now it is Amaya against the cage, Saunders looking to work knees. Another big knee and Amaya goes for another single, Saunders sweeps him over with a kimura and is in Amaya’s guard. Amaya gives up his back and Saunders has him turtled. Saunders keeping weight on Amaya and kneeing to the body. Amaya trying to stand, Saunders keeps the ground and pound coming. Amaya stands and Saunders has him against the cage again and the knees keep coming. Amaya keeps driving for takedowns and Saunders defending well. Saunders steps over trying to take the back, as Amaya rolls out Saunders goes for an armbar. Saunders goes belly down, as Amaya attempts to roll out and rolls right into a triangle. The bell rings right as Amaya escapes and attempts to move to side control. Awesome round. Saunders 10-9
Round 2: Amaya comes out with a straight right hand, Saunders slips and they clinch. Amaya drives Saunders back to the cage and eats a knee that buckles him. Amaya drops for single leg, attempts to come up to take the back. Saunders gets an underhook and lands another big knee that drops Amaya. Saunders takes the back, goes for armbar but ends up in guard. Saunders escapes back to standing, Amaya driving for that double leg and gets Saunders down. Saunders goes for a triangle and now working for omoplata and back to triangle. Saunders locks up the triangle deep, Amaya swings his leg over and sits back to escape triangle and after scramble he is back in Saunder’s guard. Amaya able to stand, strike and move to north-south but Saunders gets him back to guard. Big right hand inside guard by Amaya. Saunders locks up body triangle from the guard and moves in for another armbar. Amaya rolls out and back into guard. Big strikes from the top by Amaya, Saunders pulls him down and playing rubber guard. Amaya starting to pass and Saunders throws little strikes as bell rings. Saunders 10-9
Round 3: Saunders stalking Amaya at the start of the round. Amaya throwing wild hooks, tagging Saunders hard and slips, in a scramble Saunders gets on top. Saunders mounts, attempts a triangle and now working for kimura. Amaya escapes and takes Saunders’ back, Killer B rolls to mount and gives up his back again. Saunders grabs Amaya’s head and rolls him over into guard. Saunders in halfguard now, Amaya escapes to his knees and Saunders takes the back. Saunders locks on body triangle from the back and looking to choke throwing strikes to try to create space. Amaya goes belly down and is eating strikes, the ref is taking a close look. Amaya rolls to mount to stay alive, Saunders looks for a keylock. Amaya attempts a buck escape but gives up back. Amaya is running on fumes at this point and Saunders is clearly in control. Amaya’s left eye has swollen shut, our first good look at it. Saunders 10-9
Official Decision: Ben Saunders defeats Raul Amaya by Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Ben Saunders advances to the semi-final round.
David Rickels vs Jordan Smith
Season 6 Welterweight Quarterfinal
Prospect Rickels taking on Jordan Smith, who took the place of Brian Foster on short notice. The MTV2 ads between fights have actually made me miss the old Spike Blue Mountain State ads, which is something I never thought I’d say.
Round 1: Fighters touch gloves and trade leg kicks. Rickels lands a hard hook that wobbles Smith. Rickels runs him down, landing punches. Smith collapses as Rickels lands more punches as the ref steps in to stop the fight. Rickels wins by TKO.
Official Decision: David Rickels defeats Jordan Smith via TKO at 0:22 of Round 1
David Rickels advances to semi-final round.
Carlos Alexandre Pereira vs Bryan Baker
Season 6 Welterweight Quarterfinal
Going to be very interested in seeing how Baker looks at 170 lbs as he is a pretty thickly built guy and the cut could have an affect on his gas tank.
Round 1: Pereira takes the center of the cage as Baker circles on the outside. Baker throwing kicks from the outside, Pereira throws a hard outside leg kick. Baker switches stances and throws a sidekick and another outside leg kick from Pereira. Baker shoots in on another outside leg kick, Pereira uses a whizzer to defend and gets slammed. Baker on top in halfguard. Pereira gets a nice reversal, Baker backs up to cage and attempting to wall walk back to his feet. Peieira throwing big punches as Baker stands. Baker using a closed stance and throwing side kicks, Pereira throws a head kick that is just barely blocked. Another side kick from Baker and another outside leg kick from Pereira. Baker hit hard on the way in by a right hand, Pereira goes for a headlock choke, but Baker backs out. Baker holding the Brazilian against the cage, and Pereira throws Baker. Baker scrambles back to feet and they are clinched again against the cage. Baker throwing short knees to the thighs as the bell rings. Close round but I give the nod to the Brazilian. Pereira 10-9
Round 2: Baker keeping his distance early, Pereira working that lead leg again with the outside kick. Baker throwing more thai kicks now instead of side kicks. Now Baker is throwing side kicks to knee and face. Another leg kick landed by Pereira, and he lunges forward with punches. Back in the center Baker lunges in to clinch, Baker goes for throw but Pereira uses whizzer to stand. Strong knee from Baker drops Brazilian. Leg kick by Baker this time. Baker is slowing down slightly on the outside. Weak leg kick by Baker as Pereira is content to counter. Now Pereria pushes forward with punches. They are standing at range, but Periera is starting to control distance with those leg kicks. Baker shoots in for takedown right into an uppercut. Periera turns Baker over and into guard, Baker going for an armbar but Pereira posturing up well. Baker uses the omoplata sweep to escape to the feet as the bell rings. Baker was the more active fighter that round but Pereira the more effective. Pereira 10-9
Round 3: Baker staying on the outside again and Pereira throws another outside leg kick. Baker lunges in and eats a hard counter right hand and then another leg kick. More leg kicks from the Brazilian as Baker throws measuring jabs. Pereira pushing forward with hooks, Baker pushes him away with a hard jab and then an inside leg kick. Pereira lands two leg kicks to the lead leg. Spinning back kick catches Baker in the midsection. Baker getting a second wind as he pushes forward with combinations, clinches and goes for a hip toss. Pereira refuses to be taken down and they battle in the clinch. Baker has double underhooks, slips around to back and attempts to slam but Pereira hooks the leg to stop the slam. Another slam attempt and Pereira catches himself. Now Brazilian working for a kimura from clinch as Baker kneess the legs. Pereira gets the hands connected for kimura but ref separates them. Baker throwing from outside again and drives in for a takedown. Baker gets side control, traps the arm and starts landing punches. This round Pereira did next to nothing while Baker was clearly generating offense. Baker 10-9
Official Decision: Bryan Baker defeats Carlos Alexandre Pereira by Split Decision (29-28 Baker, 29-28 Pereira, 29-28 Baker)
Brian Baker advances to semi-final round.
Chris Lozano vs “Psycho” Karl Amoussou
Season 6 Welterweight Quarterfinal
Round 1: The fighters jaw a little at the center of the as the ref goes over the rules, this is going to be a war. Both fighters come out with intensity on their faces. Amoussou takes the center of the cage and fighters are trying to find their distance. Amoussou throwing kicks from range, Lozano is waiting. Amoussou lands an head kick to Lozano’s face, who charges forward and takes the French man down. Amoussou gets a sweep from the guard and takes the back. Amoussou throwing strikes and as Lozano attempts to roll out, Amoussou locks on rear naked choke. Lozano taps as the choke sinks in deep. Karl Amoussou defeats Chris Lozano by Rear Naked Choke.
Official Decision: Karl Amoussou defeats Chris Lozano by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 2:05 of Round 1
Karl Amoussou joins Ben Saunders, Brian Baker and David Rickels in the Semi-Finals of the Bellator Season 6 Welterweight Tournament.
Thanks for joining me and have a good night!
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