Bellator 124 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Cortez Phelia vs. Eric Ramirez

Round 1

Ramirez throws out a few range finding punches as Phelia plays the outside. Ramirez with an outside low kick followed by a left-right combination. Ramirez with a spinning back fist off the mark, and Phelia changes levels to complete a takedown. Ramirez threatens with a guillotine, but nothing there. “The Ram” looks for an armbar, but immediately switches to a triangle choke. Phelia’s arm is inside preventing the choke from being fully locked up, but Ramirez keeps his opponent in position against the cage. “The Ram” gives up on the choke, and Phelia postures up to start landing some solid punches to the head of the Michigan native. Phelia stacks up and continues raining down punches, but Ramirez attempts a heel hook. Phelia is defending well while trying to roll out of danger, and with 1:00 left on the clock, Ramirez abandons the submission, and springs to his feet. Phelia’s knee buckles and he falls to his back. “The Ram” takes top position and begins laying down some punches. Ramirez with an armbar attempt, but Phelia steps over, and lands some peppering shots as the bell sounds. 10-9 Ramirez.

Round 2

The bantamweights take the center, and Phelia is clearly having some trouble with his leg with a clear limp. Ramirez completes a takedown against the cage. The Michigan native has top position, but seems comfortable hanging out in his opponents guard. Ramirez drops back for a leg lock attempt, and Phelia uses the space to sit up and take top position. Now it’s Phelia landing solid punches from the top. Ramirez turtles up, and Phelia makes him pay with several solid knees to Ramirez’s rib cage. With 2:00 left in the round, Phelia lands some solid elbows to the midsection, causing Ramirez to roll for a possible kneebar attempt. Phelia keeps his top position and lands some short punches inside the guard of “The Ram.” Under a minute left now, and Phelia has his man pressed against the cage landing elbows and punches, but not much behind them. Ramirez threatens with a straight armbar, as the bell sounds. 10-9 Phelia.

Round 3

The final stanza begins with Phelia again limping his way back to the cage. Ramirez ties his opponent up looking for a takedown, but Phelia counters with a shot of his own. Ramirez sprawls and immediately jumps guard locking up an arm in guillotine choke. It’s tight and Phelia is left with no choice but to tap.

The Official Result

Cortez Phelia Def. Eric Ramirez Submission (Guillotine) R3 0:38

Tony Hervey vs. Jason Fischer

Round 1

Fischer quicky takes the center. Hervey opens up with a right hand and Fischer ties him up against the cage. Fischer lands some solid knees to the body from the clinch as Hervey tries to get his back off the fence. Hervey breaks the hold and counters a Fischer trip attempt landing in the guard of “The Finisher”. Hervey stands and begins throwing some hammerfists to the thigh of Fisher. Fischer fires off a right high kick that finds it’s mark, and a wobbled Hervey backs up to the fence. Fischer changes levels and completes a single leg takedown against the fence. Fischer with some punches to the body inside the guard. Hervey scrambles to his feet but is quickly scooped up and slammed to the canvas. Fischer with some elbows over the top. “The Finisher” threatens with a keylock, but opts for a couple punches as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Fischer.

Round 2

Fischer opens the second stanza with an outside low kick that accidentally lands low, and referee Dan Miragliotta calls a break in the action. The fight resumes and Fischer continues his kicking attack. Hervey fires off a high kick, but Fischer answers with a thudding body kick. Fischer is the aggressor here, and Hervey catches a kick and drags his opponent to the canvas. Fischer immediately threatens with a heel hook, and then completes a takedown into side control. “The Finishes” moves into full mount where he postures up to land some punches. Hervey doing his best to defend and Fischer ends up in side control after a scramble. Fischer again moves to mount, now looking for an arm-triangle. Hervey defends well and regains his guard. “Lionheart” scoots his way to the fence trying to get back to his feet, but Fischer is keeping the pressure. With 1:00 left on the clock, “The Finisher” again takes full mount. Fischer postures up and trains down a few punches and elbows as the bell sounds. 10-9 Fischer.

Round 3

The final round begins with Fischer clinching Hervey against the cage. Fischer completes a trip and takes Hervey to the mat, immediately opening up with some solid elbows and punches. Fischer passes to side control and then full mount shortly afterwards. Fischer with short punches and elbows on top, keeping “Lionheart” close in order to keep his position. 2:00 left in the fight now, and Hervey has no answer for the ground game of “The Finisher”. Fischer begins landing some heavy blows and Hervey briefly gives up his back, but Fischer takes side control once again. “The Finisher” again passes into mount, and finishes the round with a series of punches. 10-9 Fischer (30-27 Fischer)

The Official Result

Jason Fischer Def. Tony Hervey Decision (Unanimous) [30-26, 30-26, 30-26] R3 5:00

Adrian Henderson vs. Leroy Johnson

Round 1

The heavyweights take the center of the cage and Henderson throws a torrent of punches at his opponent. Johnson shooting for a takedown, but Henderson manages to take his back in the scramble, sinking in both hooks. Henderson with his back to the cage as he rides his opponent’s back while threatening with a rear-naked choke. Henderson loses a hook and Johnson turns inside towards him. The fighters return to their feet and Johnson drives in for takedown against the fence. Johnson fires off a combination of punches but Henderson answers with an uppercut and an elbow over the top. The Michigan Top Team fighter again looks for a single leg against the cage, but nothing there. Henderson locks up a thai plum and lands a solid knee up the center that backs Johnson up. Johnson presses forward with a superman punch, and immediately changes levels with a shot against the cage. Henderson is defending well, and Dan Miragliotta separates the heavyweights with 30 seconds left in the round. The fighters circle as the bell sounds. 10-9 Henderson.

Round 2

Johnson opens with a flurry of hooks and “A-Train” ties him up against the cage. Henderson locks up a double leg takedown and takes the hometown fighter to the canvas. Johnson threatening with a kimura from bottom, and uses it to sweep Henderson into top position. Johnson now in side control cranking the submission, but he doesn’t quite have the leverage. Johnson lands some hammerfists and looks to take his opponents back. 2:00 left on the clock, and Henderson explodes to his feet. Johnson changes levels immediately looking for a double leg takedown, but “A-Train” defends with a couple elbows to the temple. Johnson continues working for this takedown against the fence, prompting Dan Mirgliotta to warn the two heavyweights for lack of action. Another separation at the end of the round and Henderson throws a combination as the round ends. 10-9 Johnson.

Round 3

Johnson tries to tie his opponent up, but Henderson lands a knee up the middle. Johnson clinches up and pushes “A-Train” to the cage once again. Johnson with short punches and knees to the thighs on the inside. Miraglotta separates the fighters with 3:00 on the clock, and Henderson looks for a thai clinch. Now “A-Train” changes levels for a takedown and completes it. Johnson rises to his feet and pushes the visibly fatigued Henderson against the fence. The South Carolina fighter again looks for a thai clinch, but Johnson pushes him to the fence. Under a minute left on the clock and Johnson seems comfortable landing short punches to the body, but not not much behind them. Another separation by the referee, and the heavyweights trade shots in the center. Henderson now looking for a takedown of his own, but the final bell rings. 10-9 Henderson (29-28 Henderson).

The Official Result

Leroy Johnson Def. Adrian Henderson Decision (Split) [29-28, 28-29, 29-28] R3 5:00

Michael Hernandez vs. Thomas Vasquez

Round 1

The fighters take the center and being throwing out range finding strikes. Vasquez opens up with a low kick, but Hernandez answers with a right hand upstairs. Hernandez is stalking as Vasquez plays the outside. Hernandez with a left-right combination and “The Die Hard Kidd” returns fire with a low kick. Vasquez looks for a takedown but Hernandez defends well, and lands a right hand upstairs. Vasquez circling looking to counter, but Hernandez is the aggressor here. Under 2:00 left and the Michigan native lands a solid leg kick. The fighters exchange with flurries of punches but nothing of note landing. Hernandez changes levels for a takedown and completes it near the fence. Hernandez in his opponent’s half guard, but Vasquez quickly regains full guard and Hernandez fires off several hammerfists to the Californian’s head. Hernandez stands a throws a diving punch, but Vasquez defends. Both fighters to their feet and they trade shots as the round closes. 10-9 Hernandez.

Round 2

Hernandez opens with with a low kick and is looking to keep his pace going in the second round. The Michigan native explodes forward with a superman punch, but it’s off it’s mark. Vasquez changes levels and Hernandez makes him pay with a right hook upstairs. Hernandez continues to be the busier fighter throwing combinations. The bantamweights circle each other in the center of the cage and Hernandez fires off a left-right combination followed by a solid left hook. Vasquez looks for a trip, and attempts a guillotine in the scramble, but Hernandez defends and winds up in side control. “The Die Hard Kidd” regains full guard and Hernandez fires off several hammerfists. The fighters return to their feet and it’s Hernandez taking the center of the cage. The Michigan native changes levels and completes a double-leg takedown. Hernandez closes the round by raining punches down on the Californian. 10-9 Hernandez.

Round 3

The third round starts and Hernandez throws a left-right combination followed by an outside low kick. Vasquez briefly slips to the canvas but regains his footing. The two bantamweights trade in the center, and Vasquez throws a body kick that inadvertently lands low causing referee Rob Hinds to call a break in the action. The fight resumes and the Michigan native lands an inside low kick. Vasquez returns the favor with an inside leg kick of his own. Vasquez looking to circle as Hernandez pressed forward landing a right hand. Under 2:00 on the clock now and Vasquez changes levels but is met with a knee to the midsection for his troubles. Vasquez lands a clinch knee which Hernandez answers with a left hook. “The Die Hard Kidd” looks for a takedown but Hernandez defends well. Hernandez completes a takedown of his own against the fence but Vasquez scrambles up to his feet. The fighters exchange punches as the final bell sounds. 10-9 Hernandez (30-27 Hernandez).

The Official Result

Mike Hernandez Def. Thomas Vasquez Decision (Unanimous) [30-27, 29-28, 29-28] R3 5:00

Sabah Homasi vs. Eric Moon

Round 1

Homasi opens with an outside low kick and lunges forward with a left hook. Homasi again throwing huge hooks up top and Moon briefly threatens with a level change. Homasi presses forward and the welterweights exchange low kicks. Moon eats another low kick and answers with one of his own. Homasi with a winging right hand over the top, and Moon changes levels. “The Monster” looks for a trip against the cage by Homasi defends well. Homasi explodes forward with a knee to the midsection and Moon ties him up against the fence. “The Punisher” circles out and lands a leg kick which is answers by a left hand by Moon. Slapping body kick by Homasi, and Moon counters a takedown with a level change of his own. During a scramble Moon nearly has his opponents back, but ends up in the half guard of the American Top Team fighter. Homasi uses the cage to stand up and Moon lands a knee to the shoulder. 10-9 Homasi.

Round 2

The second frame begins and Homasi continues his low kick attack. “The Monster” lunges forward with a right hand but slips. Moon looks for a takedown against the cage and Homasi makes him pay with a couple elbows to the temple. Moon continues to look for the the single-leg, and Homasi quickly snatches the Michigan native’s neck with a guillotine choke. “The Punisher” drops down to torque the choke and Moon is forced to submit.

The Official Result

Sabah Homasi Def. Eric Moon Submission (Guillotine) R2 1:07

Adrian Hadribeaj vs. Mike Hamida

Round 1

Hadribeaj opens the round light on his feet circling to his left. The Albanian fires off a combination and Hamida changes levels for a takedown landing in side control. Hadribeaj sweeps Hamida into side control, and immediately stands up. Hadribeaj lands a solid counter right. “The Eagle” using lateral movement, playing the outside. Hamida shoots for a takedown and uses an outside trip to drag his man to the canvas. Hadribeaj reverses and immediately stands to his feet. Under 2:00 left now on the clock. Hadribeaj lands a low kick-right hand combination as Hamida continues to stall. Hadribeaj’s movement is giving the Grand Rapids MMA product problems as he can’t time his takedowns. The Albanian resumes with his lateral movement and Hamida shoots for a takedown, but is pushed off easily. The lightweights take the center and Hamida lands a clubbing right hand upstairs dropping “The Eagle” to the canvas. He’s back to his feet as the round ends. 10-9 Hamida.

Round 2

Hadribeaj lands a body kick and follows with an outside low kick. Hamida explodes forward with a combination but slips, prompting the Albanian to rain down punches to the head of the Grand Rapids native. The lightweights are back to their feet, and it’s Hadribeaj as the aggressor. Left-right hook combination by “The Eagle” forces Hamida’s back to the fence. Hadribeaj using superior movement to avoid any significant shots. Hamida changes levels and completes a trip takedown. Hamida moves to side control and Hadribeaj gives up his back. The Albanian manages to get to his feet, but Hamida drags him back to the canvas with a waist lock. Hamid allows Hadribeaj to stand and “The Eagle” lands a couple straight punches. Hamida again looks for the waistlock, but Hadribeaj counters with a wrist lock. As the bell sounds, Hamida hoists Hadribeaj in the air and slams him to the canvas. 10-9 Hadribeaj.

Round 3

The final round begins and Hadribeaj pushes forward. The Albanian lands a right hands upstairs and they again return to the center. Hadribeaj lands a few low kicks which keeps Hamida at bay. Hamida ties up with his opponent and trips him to the mat, ending up in half guard. The Grand Rapids native now landing solid elbows to the head of the Albanian. Hadribeaj can’t seem to escape the position, and Hamida moves to side control. Hamida landing elbows and knees to his opponent, and Hadribeaj gives up his back. “The Eagle” briefly stands but is dragged back to the canvas. Hamida moves into full mount, but Hadribeaj regains half guard. The Albanian is trying to work from bottom, but it’s Hamida who stacks up and rains down several right hands as the final bell sounds.

The Official Result

Adrian Hadribeaj Def. Mike Hamida Decision (Split) [29-28, 28-29, 29-28] R3 5:00

Ryan Couture vs. Tom Bagnasco

Round 1

The fighters take the center and Bagnasco opens up with a high kick followed by a side kick. Couture explodes forward looking for tie his man up, but a knee to the groin during the takedown causes a break in the action. After a short break the fight resumes and Couture again looks for a level change. The Strikeforce veteran completes a body lock and drags his opponent to the canvas. Couture has side control, but Bagnasco regains guard. After a scramble Couture ends up with Bagnasco’s back. Couture with solid punches to the head of the Michigan native. Couture moves into full mount. Bagnasco turns to give up his back and Couture locks up a body triangle. Several short shots upstairs and now Couture is looking for a rear-naked choke. He sees an opening to lock up the neck of the Michigan fighter, and Bagnasco is forced to tap.

The Official Result

Ryan Couture Def. Tom Bagnasco Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:01

L.C. Davis vs. Zeilton Rodrigues

Round 1

Rodrigues pressed forward as Davis plays the outside. Left-right combination from Rodrigues comes up short. Davis is using lateral movement against the a cage, and tags the Brazilian with a right hand upstairs. Rodrigues explodes forward and Davis changes levels, completing a takedown against the cage. Davis moves to side control, and Rodrigues threatens with a guillotine, but nothing there. Davis keeping shoulder pressure against his opponent as “Nenzao” continues to hold on to the head lock position. Davis lands a couple elbows, and Rodrigues shrimps up against the cage. The WEC veteran is keeping top position and Rodrigues threatends with a leck lock attempt. Davis spins out to avoid danger, and sits up to start landing hammerfists to his opponents midsection. Rodrigues against looks for the leg lock, and Davis makes him pay for it with a right hand to the head. The Brazilian continues to fish for the submission as the round ends. 10-9 Davis.

Round 2

The fighters take the center and Davis begins feinting a level change. The IFL veteran changes levels and takes the Nova Uniao fighter to the mat. Rodrigues looking for a guillotine as Davis sits in half guard. Davis clears his head and lands a couple short punches to the body. Rodrigues turns his back briefly and Davis threatens with an arm-triangle, but the Brazilian turns out. Davis postures up to lands some punches, and the Shooto Brazil vet again rolls for a leg lock. Davis spins out to end up in half-guard and lands some short elbows. Davis with some hard right hands to the head of Rodrigues. The Brazilian continues to look for submissions, but the Missourian is thwarting his attempts. The round ends as Davis lands some peppering left hands. 10-9 Davis.

Round 3

The third and final round begins and it’s the Brazilian pressing forward. Like clockwork, Davis changes levels and completes a takedown. This is the story of the fight as Davis again goes to work in half guard. A huge cut above the right eyebrow of Rodrigues prompts Davis to hammer down a few elbows. Rodrigues regains guard, but Davis again passes. The Brazilian turns to threaten a kimura, but no dice. Davis keeps his top position and fires off a couple elbows to the ribs of Rodrigues. The Brazilian has an active guard looking for an armbar, but Davis defends well and lands a hard right hand down the middle. Davis is controlling the head of the Brazilian possibly looking for a brabo choke. Rodrigues manages to get to his feet and bring Davis to the floor, but the WEC vet springs to his feet for another takedown. The fight ends with Davis in side control. 10-9 Davis (30-27 Davis).

The Official Result

L.C. Davis Def. Zeilton Rodrigues Decision (Unanimous) [30-27, 30-27, 30-27] R3 5:00

Liam McGeary vs. Kelly Anundson

Round 1

Anudson opens with a outside lowkick, and then immediately changes levels looking for a single leg. McGeary stuffs the takedown and make the wrestler pay with several hammerfists. McGeary briefly has his opponents back, but the fighters are back to their feet. Anudson shoots for a takedown near the fence and completes it. “Crossface” moves into half guard as McGeary keeps a very active guard. Anudson moves to side control, but McGeary threatens with a keylock from the bottom. Now it’s Anudson looking for a keylock of his own, but he abandons and moves to north south position. The wrestler again threatens with a keylock, but gives it up and lands a few short punches to the head of the Englishman. The American Top Team fighter in half guard now laying down shots. McGeary throws his legs up and grabs hold of Anudson’s arm going for another keylock. McGeary eats several hard elbows to the head from Anudson. In the blink of an eye, McGeary throws up his legs and locks up an inverted triangle choke. The submission is locked up tight and “Crossface” is left with no choice but to submit.

The Official Result

Liam McGeary Def. Kelly Anundson Submission (Inverted Triangle) R1 4:47

Emanuel Newton vs. Joey Beltran

Round 1

Beltran looks to press forward and ties Newton up against the cage. Beltran with short punches on the inside and Newton reverses position against the cage. Newton grabs a waistlock and drags the challenger to the canvas. Beltran rises to his feet against the cage again ties his opponent up. Heavy pressure against the cage from “The Mexicutioner” as he looks to change levels for a takdown. Newton defends well and reverses position . Now Newton looking for the takedown. Newton locks up a rear waistlock and throws Beltran to the canvas, but he immediately springs to his feet. Spinning back kick upstairs from Newton. “The Hardcore Kid” now looking for the clinch and he pushes the UFC veteran against the fence. Beltran eats a hard left hand on the break, but Newton explodes forward with a kick to the midsection. The champion lands a stinging right hand up top and the fighters separate. Beltran rushes forward with a combination and Newton lands a counter right hand. 10-9 Newton.

Round 2

The light heavyweights take the center and Newton lands a left body kick. Newton trying to use lateral movement as Beltran wades forward with wide hooks. “The Mexicutioner” clinches the champion against the fence and Newton fires several uppercuts up the middle. Newton lands a knee upstairs on the break. Beltran throwing a torrent of hooks forcing the champion’s back to the cage. Newton changes levels but Beltran pushes him off easy. The challenger continues to push forward, pressuring Newton against the fence. Newton explodes forward and throws a spinning back fist that is off the mark. Beltran looking to tie his opponent up but Newton shoves him off. Newton circling the cage and lands a solid left kick to the midsection of the challenger. Beltran explodes forward forward with left-right combination, but Newton shoots for a takedown and completes it. Beltran jumps to his feet and moves forward stalking the champion around the cage. In the final seconds, Newton clinches against the fence to land a knee to the body. 10-9 Beltran.

Round 3

The third frame begins and Beltran moves forward as Newton circles. The light heavyweights trade body kicks and Belatran continues to try to cut the cage off. Netwon drops his mouthpiece and referee Rob Hinds calls a short break. The fight resumes and Newton throws a spinning back kick that misses. Beltran presses the champ against the fence and lands a solid body kick on the break. “The Hardcore Kid” continues to backpedal around the cage. Beltran changes levels for a possible takedown, but Newton opens up with several uppercuts. “The Mexicutioner” with punching combination . Beltran wades forward with a left-right combo, but Newton surprises him with a perfect spinning-back fist knocking the challenger unconscious. Beltran is face down and out. The champion defends his belt in devastating fashion.

The Official Result

Emanuel Newton Def. Joey Beltran KO (Spinning Back Fist) R3 3:07