Bellator 155 traveled to the Spud State of Idaho as top middleweights Raphael Carvalho and Melvin Manhoef boogied for the belt in Boise. Here are the results and highlights from the evening:
Main Card results:
Rafael Carvalho def. Melvin Manhoef via Split Decision (48-47 Manhoef, 48-47 Carvalho, 48-47 Carvalho)- Middleweight Title
Both guys started out showing massive respect for the other man’s striking ability as round 1 seemed to be a bit of a feeling out process. Referee Big John McCarthy had to stop the bout momentarily to warn both fighters about their inactivity.
The second round saw Manhoef and Carvalho exchange kicks until an ill placed knee in the clinch from the champion called a temporary halt to the action. In the third round, things got a tad testy as inadvertent fouls from Carvalho took place. The champion managed to get Manhoef to the ground with a trip but the challenger quickly returned to his feet. Then another low blow from the champion halted the action again as Big John McCarthy had Carvalho’s cornerman translate a warning.
Believe it or not, Melvin Manhoef started a fourth round for the first time in his multi-decade career. Carvalho got Manhoef to the ground and held the side control position to the dismay of the Bellator fans. The fighters get back to their feet but not much action took place. The crowd let them hear it at the close of the fourth bell.
Melvin Manhoef started his first fifth round by launching leg kicks as Carvalho kept his distance. The champion rushed in and pushed Manhoef against the cage but the challenger ended up on top. Carvalho got back to his feet but seemed reluctant to engage. Despite popular opinions, this bout went the distance and the judges awarded the split decision victory to Raphael Carvalho.
Team @RafaelCarvalh74 keeps the gold #Bellator155 pic.twitter.com/5MANglaVo5
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Pat Curran def. Georgi Karakhanyan via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)- Featherweights
Karakhanyan began the bout by landing some body kicks but was floored by the most significant strike of the fight, a Curran left hand. Curran maintained top control for the remainder of the first round and began the second stanza with the same control. Karakhanyan used a Guillotine to sweep Curran and achieve the top position until the referee stood them up for the last 30 seconds of the round. For the last half of the last round, Karakhanyan found himself on top but was unable to inflict much damage before time expired. The judges awarded Pat Curran the unanimous decision victory.
That happened in Round 1, now on to the 2nd #Bellator155 pic.twitter.com/gQMA6Npmw0
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Augusto Sakai vs. Dan Charles was scored a Majority Draw (30-26 Charles, 28-28, 28-28)- Heavyweights
The heavyweights started out looking to strike but a low blow from Sakai caused a delay in the action. Then another low blow lands from Sakai resulting in a point deduction. The second stanza was a low impact kickboxing match. Charles started the third round with a big takedown but Sakai got back to his feet where the fight stayed for the remainder of the match. There was controversy over the scoring of the bout but the judges declared the match a majority draw.
Majority draw in this one and just the 9th draw in #BellatorMMA history (h/t @Jason_Floyd) #Bellator155 pic.twitter.com/wDTOpwnoh9
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Alexis Dufresne def. Marloes Coenen via Submission (Armbar) at 4:33 in round 1- Featherweights
Dufresne got the early takedown and maintained top control until being swept by Coenen. Dufresne locked up a triangle from guard and just as Coenen tried to escape, Alexis snagged the armbar for the upset submission.
Here is what an upset arm bar sub looks like. Alexis Dufresne is back #Bellator155 pic.twitter.com/ttMXLwamtj
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Chase Gormley def. Joey Beltran via Split Decision (29-28 Beltran, 29-28 Gormley, 29-28 Gormley)- Heavyweights
Beltran vs. Gormley panned out as a back and forth kickboxing match without any substantial damage inflicted in the first 2 rounds. The biggest punch of the fight came from a Beltran right hand in the third round that briefly staggered Gormley. Chase Gormley was awarded the Split Decision victory.
And the GIF of the night thus far goes to…. #Bellator155 #WatchOut pic.twitter.com/90Zfa9XIgL
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Spike.com Preliminary Card results:
Marcin Held def. Dave Jansen via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)- Lightweights
Held came out aggressively and right away closed the distance but Jansen ended up with a headlock in top position. After Jansen released the prolonged hold, Held used the space to get back to his feet and land a takedown of his own. In the second round, Held landed a spinning heel kick to the ear of Jansen which caused a cut to open up. Marcin Held followed up by dominating the remainder of the second round and the majority of the third by utilizing exceptional top control. All three judges saw the bout in favor of Marcin Held.
Unanimous decision win for @MarcinHeld & THIS caused that nasty cut #HeadKick #Bellator155https://t.co/dv3otlZuVq
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Jesse Brock def. Olly Bradstreet via Submission (RNC) at 3:57 in round 3- Bantamweights
That Rear Naked! Boise’s @JesseBrockMMA with the win to close out the prelims #Bellator155 live on @spike at 9/8c! pic.twitter.com/OD0yGjf0oN
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 21, 2016
Casey Johnson def. Brendon Raftery via Submission (RNC) at 1:16 in round 2- Bantamweights
Joe Hamilton def. Tyler Freeland via Submission (RNC) at :22 in round 1- Bantamweights
Joe Hamilton came out and threw a push kick that sent Freehand to the canvas. Hamilton immediately dove on the back and sunk in a Rear Naked Choke in a swift 22 seconds.
Vincent Morales def. Hamilton Ash via KO (punches) at 2:32 in round 3- Featherweights
Here is that Vince Morales unbelievable comeback KO win! #Bellator155 prelimshttps://t.co/4BbrOKBzji
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 20, 2016
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