Bellator 101 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Peter Aspinwall vs. Jeremiah Riggs

Round 1

Riggs closes the distance and swipes to the body with hooks, only to get planted on the mat by Aspinwall. Aspinwall stays tight to “Mississippi” and grinds away with short left elbows. When Riggs spins to escape, Aspinwall deftly takes his back and sets about working on a hard crossface. Riggs rolls but can't get Aspinwall off his back. Riggs finally explodes and turns into his foe, winding up in guard. The Oregon native tries to tie up Riggs' arms to no avail, as the top fighter chips away with punches. Aspinwall attempts pinning Riggs' arms to his chest, but only gets elbowed until the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall

Round 2

The welterweights clinch up quickly to start the round. Aspinwall secures and outside trip along the cage and goes to work on top. A series of short elbows opens up a cut on Riggs' head and now the local fighter looks to pass. He gets to half guard but Riggs sits up along the fence. Aspinwall manages to sneak around him using a front headlock and get back control again. Once more, he threatens for the rear-naked choke before Riggs turns into him, winding up on top in guard. Riggs buries his head in Aspinwall's chest and throws down forearms and hammerfists intermittently. Riggs pounds to the body of Aspinwall with his left, then lands two heavy forearms. The action isn't sufficient for referee Sean Gregory, however, who stands them up with 20 seconds to fight. Riggs throws a wild hook and gets tripped up by a Aspinwall body kick before the round closes.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall

Round 3

The third period, once more, begins with a quick clinch. Aspinwall jumps a guillotine and winds up with a front headlock on the mat. He rolls Riggs and claims side control, stepping over his head to threaten the top crucifix position. Riggs regains full guard, but not before eating punches and elbows from the Oregonian.

Aspinwall works with the left elbow, opening up another cut above Riggs' brow. “Mississippi” feigns an armbar but Aspinwall easily escapes and nearly takes his back once more. Riggs bails out, rolling to his back and surrendering side control. More short elbows land for Aspinwall before he unsuccessfully tries to lock Riggs up in a scarf hold. Aspinwall rips his elbows back toward his own body, clunking Riggs square in the temple. Riggs reclaims half guard, but can't get up. He finally escapes before the bell, but it's too little too late.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall (30-27 Aspinwall)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall (30-27 Aspinwall)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Aspinwall (30-27 Aspinwall)

The Official Result

Peter Aspinwall def. Jeremiah Riggs via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00

Zach Skinner vs. Austin Springer

Round 1

Cautious start from both fighters, as Springer stalks forward in a tight boxing stance, while Skinner is trying to catch his punches. Springer steps into a jab and knocks his man's head back. Springer doubles and triples up on his jab, then dings Skinner with a leg kick. Another hard outside low kick for Springer trips Skinner up. Skinner's first serious punch is a wild overhand right: it drops Springer to a knee momentarily, prompting an immediate clinch so Springer can recover. Skinner ducks behind his opponent and gets a rear waistlock along the fence. He tries to elevate Springer twice, but the Vancouver, Wash., native blocks it with a switch. Skinner finally dumps him, then jumps on Springer's back in the ensuing scramble. Springer takes his time before turning back into Skinner and peppering him with right hands when he stands. Skinner gets a brief takedown and again tries for the back, but Springer thwarts him and cracks him with a hard knee. Skinner finally gets Springer back to the mat, but has to defend an omoplata immediately. He lands just one knee to the body before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Skinner
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Skinner
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-10

Round 2

Springer starts the second stanza with purpose, cracking Skinner with a jab, then going back to the outside low kicks. Skinner attempts to clinch up and eats knees to the body, then the face for his effort. Springer launches a right hook which clunks off the top of Skinner's head and wobbles him briefly. The Sports Lab fighter's jab is now successfully keeping Skinner outside, allowing the taller fighter to potshot with his punches and kicks. Skinner wings two hooks at Spinger and endures two more body knees, followed by a left hook. Springer throws a right roundhouse kick upstairs but can't strike paydirt. Three of four jabs from Springer pop Skinner in the face. Skinner, whose face is getting messy, is trying to throw back but missing wide. A right uppercut lands hard for Springer, who can scarcely miss in this round. Skinner tries a single-leg takedown, but Springer tosses him over with an overhook and stands back up. Two more jabs for Springer land before he shoots and scores an easily double with eight seconds in the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Springer
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Springer
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Springer

Round 3

A heavy right body kick from Springer crashes into Skinner's body, nearly allowing Springer to sink a guillotine off of the ensuing clinch. Left body kicks and jabs are finding Skinner with regularity now. Skinner is helpless to get past the jab. The desperate fighter just freezes up in front of Springer, eating a bevy of jabs and two hard right uppercuts. Springer drives him to the fence, picks him up and dumps him on the mat for seemingly no reason, allowing him to stand right back up. Springer digs into him with a spinning back kick, then an overhand right.

With two minutes to fight, the bout has devolved into target practice. The Sports Lab rep tackles Skinner to the mat again, passing to half guard while Skinner tries to push himself back to the cage. Skinner uses the cage to stand up, all while dodging haymakers from Springer. Skinner is just throwing like a robot, hoping something works out for him, while Springer ducks around and jabs him. Skinner surprises him with a hard counter left, dropping him for a moment.

Springer pops back up, only to have Skinner try to swarm. By this point, he's too beaten down and the final bell ends the threat.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Springer (29-28 Springer)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Springer (29-28 Springer)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Springer (30-28 Springer)

The Official Result

Austin Springer def. Zach Skinner via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Brent Primus vs. Scott Thometz

Round 1

Thometz shoots in on a takedown and tries to pick the ankle. Primus wisely fights Thometz's wrists, grapevines his legs around Thometz's arm and rides him partially, landing short elbows.

Thometz keeps driving him into the cage but now faces the threat of a kimura from Primus. Thometz tries to pass his way out of it and winds up ensnared in an armbar. He escapes, Primus rolls him over but the former Boise State Bronco nearly armbars him in response. The Sports Lab fighter stays calm, pushing Thometz's legs by and quickly taking his back. Primus sinks his hooks, flattens Thometz belly down and goes to work. Primus patiently works the blade of his forearm under Thometz's neck, figure fours his arms and from there, the tap is academic.

The Official Result

Brent Primus def. Scott Thometz via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:48

Tyson Jeffries vs. Dave Vitkay

Round 1

Vitkay comes out with wild punches before falling into a clinch with Jeffries. Jeffries trips him to the canvas and secures side mount quickly. “The Anti-Hero” steps over Vitkay right into full mount, but Vitkay pushes his thighs away and regains guard. Vitkay tries to strike back from the guard, but Jeffries stacks his legs and punishes him with punches. Vitkay tries to work on a kimura from his back, but Jeffries calmly pounds on him, passes behind his hips and gets his back control. Jeffries sinks both hooks in and looks to slide his left arm under the Atlanta fighter's chin. Vitkay gets to the turtle position and almost shakes Jeffries, but the Oregonian keeps one hook in. Jeffries gets both hooks back in as Vitkay attempts to escape. Jeffries tries to go palm-to-palm, ripping Vitkay's head to the side, but he can't sink the choke. As Jeffries gets high on the back, Vitkay somersaults forward, breaking free in dramatic fashion before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jeffries
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Jeffries
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jeffries

Round 2

Vitkay begins round two with a side kick, then a left roundhouse upstairs, neither of which make serious contact. Jeffries is measured in his pace, neither countering nor looking for the takedown. The two find one another clinched up again and it is Vitkay who is the aggressor with knees to the body. Vitkay stalks Jeffries before changing levels and putting him on the mat along the fence. Jeffries attempts a guillotine from half guard, but can't control Vitkay's upper body, permitting an easy escape. Referee Sean Gregory prods the middleweights for action as Vitkay punches to the chest and body of Jeffries. Vitkay elbows to the ribs and thighs while controlling Jeffries along the fence with a headlock until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Vitkay
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Vitkay
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vitkay

Round 3

Vitkay takes a half-hearted jump at Jeffries with a kick, prompting another over-under clinch against the cage. Vitkay again throws knees inside but Jeffries baits him brilliantly.

When Vitkay brings his right leg up, the Oregon fighter scoops under his leg and slams him to the canvas. Vitkay scrambles up, but Jeffries is glued to his waist, landing short punches. Jeffries drags Vitkay to the canvas from the rear waistlock and gets his back again. Vitkay escapes quickly this time, getting on top in half guard with half the round left. Jeffries tries to scramble up but Vitkay grabs over-unders around his back, sinks his hooks in and rolls him. Vitkay goes to the Gable grip immediately, ripping his arm under Jeffries neck and cinching up the rear-naked choke. Jeffries is trapped and
forced to tap.

The Official Result

Dave Vitkay def. Tyson Jeffries via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 3:07

Marcin Held vs. Ryan Healy

Round 1

The lightweights cautiously jab at one another, but it is Held quietly landing his right hook on Healy's jaw. Held is measuring the aggressive Healy with his jab and right hand, but not landing with much power. Healy ducks into the pocket and Held puts it in overdrive: the 21-year-old Pole stands Healy up with a left hook then blasts him with a right cross. The “Diamond” is in the dirt and Held pounces with two more punches before referee Dave Hagen can rescue Healy.

The Official Result

Marcin Held def. Ryan Healy via TKO (Punches) R1 1:12

Nathan Coy vs. Andy Uhrich

Round 1

Coy is aggressive with his stand-up from the outset, flashing his jab and going upstairs with a clean flying knee. The southpaw Coy kicks at Uhrich, forcing a brief clinch which he ends with an inside elbow. The welterweights clash jabs, with the Tennessean doing the more damage, as Coy briefly falls to a knee off the powerful jab. “Soulforce” runs his man into the cage and looks for double underhooks. When he secures them, the Coy ragdolls Uhrich to the canvas and passes to side control. The “Fight Master” veteran pushes Coy's legs back into half guard but the local fighter stands back up, diving into Uhrich's guard with heavy right punches. The pattern repeats, as Uhrich bicycles his legs to kick Coy off of him, but can't stop him from diving back into his guard and dishing out punishment. With 45 seconds to go, Uhrich jumps up the fence wall, absorbing body knees along the way. Coy and Uhrich each land short counters inside, winging two- and three-punch combos until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Coy
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Coy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Coy

Round 2

Short combinations show up early in the second round, but it's Coy who dings Uhrich with a lead right and racks up a flash knockdown of his own. Coy swarms with punches but Uhrich rolls to his back, once again putting the fight in Ali-Inoki position with Coy standing. The Oregonian leaps into guard with punches once more but opts to stay there this time, pounding away from Uhrich's full guard. The Memphian kicks Coy away once more but Coy rips him with an overhand right to the stomach, then gets right back into guard. Uhrich tries to scramble up the fence while eating punches but Coy plants him right back on the canvas, where he grinds away on top until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Coy
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Coy
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Coy

Round 3

Coy can't get Uhrich to the canvas as quickly to start the third round, so he lobs a head kick upstairs. Uhrich absorbs it and stuffs an ensuing Coy takedown, nearly taking Coy's back in the process. The American Top Teamer recovers, driving Uhrich back into the cage and catching a breather.

Uhrich is coming forward with punches now, perhaps sensing he's behind, but Coy attacks his legs as soon as he walks into range. Uhrich defends a Coy single-leg attempt with a switch, eventually swinging his his left leg over Coy's head and angling for a kimura. With 70 seconds to go in the fight, Coy pops free much to the partisan crowd's approval. “Soulforce” grinds elbows into Uhrich's face from top control. After the 10-second clapper, Coy stands up out of Uhrich's guard and dives in with one last powerful right hand.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Uhrich (29-28 Coy)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Uhrich (29-28 Coy)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Uhrich (29-28 Coy)

The Official Result

Nathan Coy def. Andy Uhrich via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Saad Awad vs. Martin Stapleton

Round 1

Stapleton is the aggressor from the bell, pumping his lead hand and backing down Awad. When the Brit attempts to strike, the Southern Californian rings him up with a crushing right hand and a left for good measure. Stapleton is in survival mode, desperately looking for a takedown. Awad shucks him by and takes top control. Stapleton is still rocked, allowing Awad to pass right over his butterfly guard into full mount.

The Brit rolls, but Awad controls Stapleton's wrists from the back, while maneuvering towards the rear-naked choke with still half of the first round remaining. Awad turns Stapleton toward the fence, digging for the choke. He doesn't have the best arm position but the Millennia MMA fighter wisely thrusts his hips forward, cranking Stapleton's back and neck while choking him. Stapleton taps, punching Awad's ticket to the second round of the Bellator Season 9 lightweight tournament.

The Official Result

Saad Awad def. Martin Stapleton via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:46

John Alessio vs. Will Brooks

Round 1

Brooks begins the bout with his hands literally at this waist in an almost Bruce Lee-esque stance, changing from orthodox to southpaw and back. He lands a few inside leg kicks on Alessio before closing distance and tying up inside. Alessio pins Brooks' left arm and flurries with his free hand, forcing “Ill Will” to break away. Brooks throws a left head kick upstairs which the 15-year veteran catches, throwing him off balance. Brooks manages to stay upright but Alessio stays married to the takedown and winds up dumping Brooks to the mat. Alessio gets side control briefly before Brooks explodes back to his feet. “The Natural” pushes for a single-leg takedown but after 20 unsuccessful seconds, breaks off and opts for two short left hands instead. Off the break, Alessio looks for another takedown but Brooks rebuffs him. Alessio jumps for a guillotine but Brooks peels his hand off and falls into the Canadian's full guard. Alessio underhooks Brooks' thigh and shows an armbar. Brooks extricates his arm, pounds on Alessio, and throws him right back to the mat when Alessio tries to scramble free.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Brooks

Round 2

Brooks and Alessio trade leg kicks as the second period begins before Alessio runs in on a single-leg takedown attempt. As he tries to drag Brooks off the cage, Brooks reverses and puts him on the mat for a brief moment. Alessio quickly snakes back up the fence and they resume standing. Brooks continues with his hands-down stance, throwing a side kick to the thigh before shooting a double-leg takedown. He goes right into another Alessio guillotine attempt but manages to free himself after the former UFC title challenger pulls guard. “The Natural” shrimps away and gets back to his feet, where he chases Brooks with hooks and a volley of knees. Alessio lands well but Brooks changes levels and dumps him on the mat again. Brooks passes right up the middle from half guard to full mount along the cage. Alessio rolls, gives up back control and is forced to defend left hands from Brooks until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Brooks

Round 3

Alessio pushes the issue standing with Brooks, only to walk into a powerful outer reap from the midwestern fighter, landing him on his back once more. Brooks chips away on top while looking for the pass, using heavy top pressure to get to side control. Brooks postures to step into full mount but the crafty Alessio snags him back into double butterfly guard. The Illinois native tries to pass right over Alessio's legs, prompting the Canadian to roll forward into a single-leg attempt.

Brooks sprawls, turns the corner and nearly gets Alessio's back again but “The Natural” escapes to stand once more. He immediately looks for a takedown again, driving the single-leg takedown that just isn't there. He tries to reshoot and Brooks crushes his face with a knee that instantly has Alessio's face pouring blood. “Ill Will” rides him from the rear waistlock, smashing him with hooks while Alessio's face is creating pools of blood on the canvas. Alessio survives until the final bell, plasma spewing a mouse under his left eye.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks (30-27 Brooks)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Brooks (30-27 Brooks)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Brooks (30-27 Brooks)

The Official Result

Will Brooks def. John Alessio via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-26, 30-27) R3 5:00

Rich Clementi vs. Ricardo Tirloni

Round 1

Tirloni slips while launching a head kick but neither fighter can land in tne ensuing exchanges. Tirloni lands a left hook on the southpaw Clementi, but Clementi rips him back with a right hook. Clementi is bleeding on the right side of his forehead as a result of the head kick to start the bout. Tirloni is starting to load up his punches, trying to catch Clementi as he jumps into the pocket. The UFC beteran switches it up a spinning back kick, so Tirloni shows his own kicking with some low cut kicks. Clementi scores with a few leg kicks of his own before throwing a nifty axe kick, which doesn't find its target. Whenever Tirloni tries to sit down on his punches, Clementi lands an outside kick to the lead leg and dances away. The Brazilian keeps winging his punches but can't land anything significant before the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-10
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Tirloni

Round 2

Tirloni gets active with his low kicks again. As he begins to land, Clementi tries to punch off of his movement, but the Brazilian is waiting for him with counterpunches. Clementi sneaks a left cross in while getting whacked by a Tirloni left hook. Clementi ducks, perhaps looking to change levels, but takes another left hook to the dome. “No Love” finds his target with a wild left hand but Tirloni circles away and avoids any follow-up. Tirloni loads up on a left hook-right hook combo that whizzes wide of Clementi's head. The pace has slowed even moreso now, with Clementi leisurely circling the outside while Tirloni loads up on his punches and misses. Tirloni cracks Clementi with another head kick, prompting Clementi to rush for a takedown. The Brazilian defends and nearly gets a trip takedown of his own at the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tirloni
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Tirloni
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Tirloni

Round 3

Clementi lobs two inside leg kicks and a side kick to begin the final round. Tirloni stalks the Louisiana native for almost a full minute before throwing another head kick, which gets blocked. A circling Clementi lands a sneaky spinning back fist that snaps Tirloni's head up but doesn't break his stride. Tirloni pushes Clementi back to the fence in pursuit of the takedown, but “No Love” shuts it down. Clementi opts to hang out in the clinch, so the Brazilian regroups, secures double underhooks and outside trips Clementi to the mat with three minutes left in the bout.

Clementi grabs rubber guard but can't make progress toward the mission control position before Tirloni breaks his posture. Tirloni can't land much on top until Clementi shrimps back to the fence, giving Tirloni the angle he needs. When he starts to land with his hands, Clementi spins for a leglock, giving Tirloni another chance to drop shots on him. Clementi defends well and rolls into a single-leg takedown attempt with 30 seconds left. He gets nowhere as Tirloni breaks his grip and jogs away. Another Tirloni head kick is blocked but he puts a knee into Clementi's face just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Tirloni (30-28 Tirloni)
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Tirloni (30-28 Tirloni)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Tirloni (30-27 Tirloni)

The Official Result

Ricardo Tirloni def. Rich Clementi via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Marcus Davis vs. Alexander Sarnavskiy

Round 1

Davis flashes his jab from the opening bell, trying to keep his distance from the spindly Sarnavskiy. The Russian feints and then uncoils a rocket of a right hand that sends Davis reeling across the cage. The UFC veteran lands on his seat but “Tiger” is all over him with punches.

Sarnavskiy sinks his hooks in on Davis and looks for a rear-naked choke before settling for a torrent of right hands. Davis blocks his face while rolling, trying to abate the damage. Sarnavskiy keeps punching while fishing for the rear-naked choke until he finally gets his arm under Davis' chin and goes palm-to-palm to force the tapout. Short, brutal performance from Alexander Sarnavskiy to become the fourth Bellator Season 9 lightweight tournament semifinalist.

The Official Result

Alexander Sarnavskiy def. Marcus Davis via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:40

Joe Warren vs. Nick Kirk

Round 1

Warren swings wild right hands attempting to close in on Kirk, but eats lefts and rights on the way in. Warren responds with two glancing flying knees, but still can't tie Kirk up. “The Baddest Man on the Planet” crowds Kirk again, eats another salvo of punches, then pushes him into the fence wall. Warren is determined to get his man to the mat but is so hasty in trying to throw Kirk to the mat that he winds up on the bottom. Warren scrambles up and resumes launching flying knees at Kirk while running face-first into counterpunches. Kirk is starting to load up on his own right hand hoping to catch the hard-charging Warren. Warren throws his fifth flying knee of the round before changing levels and dropping Kirk on the mat with a double-leg takedown. Warren moves to half guard while punching away but Kirk slides up the fence and back to his feet. Warren hits nothing but air throwing an ill-advised, leaping spinning-back kick. The former Bellator champ eats another jab to the forehead before he gets Kirk back down on the mat with another double-leg. Warren advances to half guard as Kirk looks to sweep him. Warren grabs a guillotine and uses it to pass over Kirk's legs, hammering away on his opponent while Kirk rolls for a single.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kirk
Joe Ortiz scores the round 10-9 Warren
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Warren

Round 2

Warren gets the fight to the mat quickly and with less incident in the second frame, setting up shop from half guard again. Warren tries to pass up the middle into full mount but Kirk blocks it.

The former Bellator featherweight ace responds with more hammerfists and punches. Warren's wrestling and top pressure are starting to wear down Kirk, who is less active on bottom. Warren briefly takes the top crucifix, but Kirk escapes. In the scramble, Warren locks up a reverse triangle choke and Kirk is trapped. Warren's angle isn't ideal to finish the choke, so he instead focuses on the arm. Warren pulls it back across his body, pinning it under his far armpit and hyperextending the elbow until Kirk submits.

The Official Result

Joe Warren def. Nick Kirk via Submission (Reverse Triangle Armbar) R2 3:03