Bellator 164 results and video: Lima KO’s Koreshkov, recaptures welterweight belt

Bellator MMA continued with it’s global expansion as the Viacom promotion brought Bellator 164: Koreshkov vs. Lima 2 to the coastal city of Tel Aviv, Israel. The main event saw the former welterweight champion Douglas Lima recapture Bellator gold with a third round knockout of the man that took away his title, Andrey Koreshkov.

Main Card: Spike TV

Douglas Lima def. Andrey Koreshkov via KO (Punches) at 1:21 of Round 3: Welterweight Tittle

Koreshkov opened the bout with some probing jabs and ferocious spinning attacks that whiffed. As lima moved forward, Korshkov was able to secure a takedown, just not for very long. Lima returned to his feet and the two competitors engaged in a high tech, mid to low intensity kickboxing bout for the remainder of the first round.

Douglas Lima started the second stanza with a heavy leg kick and followed up with another one to the same spot. Andrey Koreshkov shot in for second time and was able to put Lima on his back. Lima threw up a few submission attempts, that were easily shucked off, but was unable to return to his feet before the round ended.

Koreshkov came out in the third round looking to strike, pressing forward and landing big hooks. Koreshkov was able to back up Lima against the fence where he started to unload punches. Lima, rolling with said punches, caught Koreshkov with a gigantic left hand that crippled the Russian champion. A couple academic ground strikes and referee Tan Dan was forced to call it off.

Watch Douglas Lima recapture his Bellator welterweight belt in emphatic fashion:

Noad Lahat def. Scott Cleve via Submission (RNC) at 2:26 of Round 1: Featherweight

Israel’s own Noad Lahat gave his homeland something to cheer about as the BJJ blackbelt choked out his opponent is less than a half of a round. Lahat hit a trip on Scott Cleve and was all over the American as the Israeli transitioned from submission attempt, to dominant position, and then back to submission attempt. Ultimately, Noad Lahat sunk a Rear-Naked Choke and Scott Cleve had no choice but to tap. Following the victory, Lahat took to the crowd to celebrate his highly impressive promotional debut with his fans.

Watch Noad Lahat’s first round strangling of Scott Cleve at Bellator 164:

Lena Ovchynnikova def. Karla Benitez via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3): (W) Flyweight

Lena Ovchynnikova came out with a fire that was absent in her promotional debut as the Ukrainian immediately began utilizing her footwork and working her strikes. Benitez had a tough time dealing with the accurate combination boxing of Ovchynnikova and was unable to mount much offense of her own through 2 rounds. The final round saw Benitez pressing forward with more aggression as she continued her one-dimensional gameplan of trying to out-strike the Ukrainian kickboxer in Ovchynnikova, to no avail. This was a strong, and much improved, showing for Bellator flyweight Lena Ovchynnikova.

Georgi Karakhanyan def. Kirill Medvedovsky via TKO (Shoulder Injury) at 3:40 of Round 1: Catchweight of 150

Georgi Karakhanyan has earned his second consecutive first round finish as he dispatched Kirill Medvedovsky in just 3 minutes and 40 seconds. Karakhanyan wasted no time in getting the fight to the ground. Medvedovsky managed to get back to his feet, but that was short lived as Karakhanyan thwarted a poor Judo toss attempt to find top position. A verbal scream forced the referee to step in and rescue Medvedovsky, who appeared to have injured his shoulder. In the post-fight interview with Matt Mitrione, Georgi Karakhanyan called out MMA veteran Josh Thomson.

Prelims:

Chen Shhori def. Kfir Eittan via KO (Knee)

Moish Rand def. Hitham Kayof via TKO

Elazar Tariku def. Ron Becker via submission

Alex Trofimov def. Sol Renato via split decision

Almog Shay def. Vitaly Khmeinytsky via submission (Heel Hook)

Olga Rubin def. Laurita Likker-Cibirite via TKO

Raz Bring def. Maor Kazalkopy via TKO

Jackie Gosh def. Joaquin Buckley via TKO

Alex Nikulin def. Avi Baron via TKO

Honor Kelesh def. Omri Barel via submission

Haim Gozali def. Zane Clerk via submission (Heel Hook)