Leading into the light-heavyweight championship bout atop the Bellator 91 card, just one of the prior matches went to a decision. The carnage was replete with 6 KO/TKOs and a pair of submissions, one of which was a slick arm-lock from the scarf hold position.
Attila Vegh defeats Christian M’Pumbu by unanimous decision
(48-47, 49-46, and 50-45)
In this Bellator light-heavyweight championship, Attila Vegh’s raw aggression and short-range punching power was too much for the lanky champion. Christian M’Pumbu was hesitant to loosen his hands after Vegh’s blazing counter-punches found the mark early, and Vegh strongly assumed the role of the stalker, often charging across the cage with consecutive combinations that put M’Pumbu in full-on retreat mode.
Only a few rounds were definitive, as the champ picked his spots to dig in with right hands or time double-leg takedowns, but his output was few and far between, which stood in sharp contrast to Vegh’s unending onslaught. On the heels of a loss in 2010 and a draw in 2011, Vegh has now stretched out a 9-fight win streak and overtaken the Bellator 205-pound throne.
Saad Awad defeats Will Brooks by TKO (punches), Round 1
The Lightweight Tournament took a hit when fan-favorite Patricky Freire pulled out with an injury. Saad Awad was called in as a late replacement and, 74 seconds of fight time and 2 TKOs later, he’s now a finalist. After dispatching the previously once-beaten Guillame DeLorenzi in the quarterfinals, Awad treated “Ill” Will Brooks, who came in undefeated, to the same type of blistering flurries en route to his 2nd consecutive win by devastating 1st-round TKO.
After stuffing an early takedown, Awad staggered Brooks with a series of rights from the single collar-tie and proceeded to unleash a floodgate of violence. Awad stayed on the trigger with endless rights and lefts to elicit the stoppage, and will now advance to the tournament finals after inspiring, back-to-back beat-downs.
David Rickels defeats Jason Fischer by unanimous decision
(30-27 x 3)
After fairly competitive and back-and-forth action in Rounds 1 and 2 that mirrored their first encounter, David “the Caveman” Rickels shifted into beast-mode and dominated Fischer in the last frame of their rematch. Rickels hit a counter takedown midway through the 3rd and showered down heavy leather before chaining together 4 legitimately threatening submission attempts (kimura, arm-triangle, rear-naked choke, armbar) to own the final 5 minutes.
Rickels advances to face Awad in the Lightweight Tournament finals, which should be a good ol’ brawl between two heavy-handed scrappers.
Ed West defeats Josh Montoya by KO (head kick), Round 2.
Ed West was just getting silly with it against Josh Montoya. His attempt at Anthony Pettis’ “Showtime Kick” shown above doesn’t do him justice — West assaulted Montoya with a dizzying salvo of kicks that were unpredictably selected and unhinged at a furious clip.
After cycling through a palette of right and left low kicks with a few high and front kicks sprinkled in, West flicked a left low kick and then came high with another that turned Montoya’s lights out.
Holly Holm defeats Katie Merrill by TKO (punches), Round 2.
Adrian Cruz defeats Nick Gonzales by submission (Kesa Gatame arm-lock), Round 2.
Blas Avena defeats Lenny Lovato by KO (straight right), Round 1.
Andres Quintana defeats Russell Wilson by TKO (knees), Round 3.
Josh Appelt defeats Josh Lanier by TKO (punches), Round 2.
Brennan Ward defeats Yair Moguel by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1.
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