Bellator 160 results and highlights: Henderson gets injury TKO over Pitbull

Bellator’s variety of MMA was on display at the Honda Center in Los Angeles, California as the main event saw two former champions looking to get back to a crown. An injury to Patricio “Pitbull” Freire forced him to retire mid-match, giving Ben Henderson his first win under the Bellator banner.

Main Card Results:

Ben Henderson def. Patricio Freire via TKO in 2:26 of round 2- Lightweight

Both guys started rather respectful of each other’s abilities as Henderson marched forward with Pitbull throwing feints. After an exciting exchange in the second round, Pitbull, himself, called off the fight due to injury. This was Benson Henderson’s first win in Bellator and his first TKO since 2009. Bellator later tweeted that Pitbull broke his shin. Henderson will fight Michael Chandler for Chandler’s title on November 19th in San Jose, CA.

Derek Anderson def. Saad Awad via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)- Lightweight

Both Saad Awad and Derek Anderson came out swinging for the fences in a back-and-forth slugfest. The match continued to seesaw throughout as the bout went the distance but it was Derek Anderson who earned the unanimous nod.

Check out Dallas Winston’s play-by-play of the epic first round of Derek Anderson vs. Saad Awad:

R1: They both graze with overhand rights but Anderson’s is more effective, knocking Awad off balance. Awad catches a right kick but gets plugged with a right hand while throwing a knee up the middle. Inside and outside low kick from Anderson. Awad feints with jabs downstairs before blocking a high kick, then he clubs Anderson with a left/right combo to the head. Anderson wobbles and falls to his back as Awad swarms him with punches. Awad goes to the front headlock and cinches on a D’arce choke. It’s tight — Anderson pushes on the elbow, rolls out of it and battles back to his feet before breaking free.

On the reset, Awad steps into a right hand that lands clean but short. Quick lead right slips through for Awad, then an outside low kick. Anderson answers in kind. Two glancing counter knees to the body from Awad before backpedaling out of range. They trade jabs. Anderson tacks on two more, prompting a smooth reactive takedown from Awad. Anderson slings his leg over the shoulder and locks on a triangle, then readjusts the angle to tighten it. Anderson hooks a leg when Awad lands a right forearm, then tries to attack the arm after chopping out Awad’s base. Now Anderson transitions into an omoplata, stepping over and completing the rotation yet, somehow, Awad doesn’t tap. 10-10.

Georgi Karakhanyan def. Bubba Jenkins via KO (Punch) at :53 of round 1- Featherweight

He did it again. For the second time, Georgi Karakhanyan has ended the night of Bubba Jenkins in the first round. Karakhanyan caught Bubba’s teep kick and returned fire with an overhand bolo that dropped Jenkins. A few academic strikes and the bout was over.

Watch Georgi Karakhanyan make it back to the winner’s circle with this massive mollywop:

AJ McKee Jr. def. Cody Walker via Submission (Modified Guillotine) in :32 of round 2- Featherweight

McKee came out hot throwing big punches and kicks followed by a level change to bring the fight to the mat. After an early submission attempt, Walker had nothing else to offer up and was dominated on the ground remainder of the first round. Big takedown for McKee started the second stanza which resulted in a cinched up Guillotine for the tap.

Check AJ McKee Jr’s emphatic slam of Cody Walker:

Prelims:

Joey Davis def. Keith Cutrone via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)- Welterweight

Chinzo Machida def. Mario Navaro via TKO in 2:57 on round 1- Featherweight