Bellator 126 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Brandon Girtz vs. Benny Madrid

Round 1

Madrid looks to the play the outside as Girtz stalks forward. Girtz with a low stance. Girtz fires off a hard left hand followed by a right that drops Madrid against the cage. Girtz pounces on his opponent landing a torrent of right hands forcing the referee to intervene.

The Official Result

Brandon Girtz Def. Benny Madrid TKO (Punches) R1 0:51

Derek Campos vs. Estevan Payan

Round 1

Jason Herzog will officiate this lightweight contest. Payan begins with an inside low kick. Campos rushes forward with a left-right combination, and then follows up with a scorching left hook that knocks Payan unconscious. Jason Herzog immediately intervenes to prevent any further damage.






Derek Campos Def. Estevan Payan KO (Punch) R1 0:31

Stuart Austin vs. Dan Charles

Round 1

The heavyweights take the center of the cage and Charles opens up with a hard right hand upstairs. Austin ties his opponent up and pushes him against the cage, but the fighters separate shortly after. Austin with a right hand up top followed by a short uppercut. Austin lands another right hand causing Charles to briefly slip to the canvas, but he’s back up to his feet. The fighters tie up against the cage but break quickly and return to the center. Austin wades forward with a left-right combination but nothing landing clean. Lead left hook finds it’s mark for the Englishman, and Charles responds with a grazing high kick. Charles throws a knee up the middle that lands low, and referee John McCarthy calls for a break in the action. The fight resumes with under 1:00 left on the clock. Charles lands a solid outside low kick and Austin responds with a lunging left hand. With seconds remaining, Austin lands a solid uppercut-left hook combination that drops the American, but the round quickly comes to an end. 10-9 Austin.

Round 2

Charles pawing out his jab as he plays the outside of the cage. Austin hanging back looking for an opening. Charles scores with a right hand upstairs. The output from both fighters has seemingly decreased. Charles with a lunging right hand followed by a low kick. Both fights are using good movement, but not landing anything of note. Halfway through the round now and Charles continues sticking his jab out. Charles with a solid left hook up top. Charles stalking forward now as Austin backs towards the fence. Charles is controlling this round with his jab.

Charles with a right-left hook combination that is partially blocked. Charles changes levels and scoops the Englishman up and slams him to the canvas. The American looks for a possible keylock but quickly abandons the submission opting for some ground and pound as the round ends. 10-9 Charles.

Round 3

The final stanza begins and Charles scores with a series of hooks upstairs. The American follows with several knees up the middle and then a crushing right hook to the temple, knocking Austin out cold on the canvas. A few unnecessary follow up punches land and referee John McCarthy steps in.

The Official Result

Dan Charles Def. Stuart Austin KO (Punches) R3 0:18

Michael Parker vs. Joe Taimanglo

Round 1

Taimanglo takes the center and opens up with a pair of straight punches upstairs. The Guam native thwarts a trip attempt by Parker. Taimanglo look for a guillotine attempt and briefly switches to a Peruvian necktie. “Baby Joe” gives up on the submission and the fighters tie up against the fence. Taimanglo completes a double leg takedown and lands in side control. Taimanglo scrambles to take Parker’s back, but the Arizona native springs to his feet. Taimanglo pushes his man against the cage and lands a solid knee to the body from the clinch. The Guam native continues the pressure against the cage landing short strikes on the inside. Parker looks for a head and arm throw, but Taimangloy defends. The bantamweights separate and Taimanglo lands a solid knee up the middle. “Baby Joe” seemingly has Parker stunned against the fence n from an elbow strike. He follows with a left-right combination, but the bell sounds. 10-9 Taimanglo.

Round 2

Taimanglo immediately changes levels but opts to remain standing. Taimanglo whiffs on a standing elbow over the top. Parker circling the cage as “Baby Joe” looks to cut off the cage. Taimanglo scores with a solid right body kick and continues to stalk the American. Parker backpedaling now while Taimanglo tries to set up his strikes. Taimanglo lands a step-in knee and has Parker backing up. Taimanglo is the clear aggressor here. Parker backing up looking to counter but Taimanglo rushes forward with a knee to the midsection.

The bantamweights take the center, but Parker seems content with not offering much output. Taimanglo wades forward with a punch combination and the round comes to an end. 10-9 Taimanglo.

Round 3

The final round begins and Parker opens with a series of kicks. Taimanglo lands a short right hand over the top that has the American on wobbly legs. Taimanglo immediately changes levels and takes the fight to the floor. “Baby Joe” working from top position with Parker’s head trapped against the fence. After a lack of action, referee Al Guinee stand the fighters up. Taimanglo lands a sharp knee from the clinch and follows with a hard outside low kick. Midway through the round and we’re back to where we were in round two as Parker backpedals. Taimanglo sprawls on a takedown and threatens with a guillotine but switches to a possible Peruvian necktie. He gives up on the submission and the fighters return to the center. Under one minute left on the clock and Parker is simply pawing out his jab. Taimanglo throws a tornado kick that is completely off it’s mark. The final round ends with Taimanglo firing off a Rolling Thunder kick, but it’s all for style points as it doesn’t land clean.

The Official Result

Joe Taimanglo Def. Michael Parker Decision (Unanimous) [30-26, 30-27, 30-27] R3 5:00

Ryan Martinez vs. Nick Rossborough

Round 1

The heavyweights engage in the center and Rossborough lands a right hand up top,. Martinez answers with a punch of his own and follows with a low kick. Rossborough wades forward with a right hook and Martinez catches him with a right hand upstairs. Rossborough using his kicks against his shorter opponent. Rossborough scores with a kick to the body . Rossborough lands right hand on the Colorado native. Martinez circling the cage as “The Slim Shady of MMA” moves forward with his low kick attack. With one minute left The Utah native continues using his range well against Martinez.

Martinez lunges forward with a right hand, but Rossborough lands a solid knee to the head. Rossborough lands a left hook upstairs as Martinez backs up and drops the Colorado fighter to the canvas as the round ends. Between rounds we learn Martinez has torn his bicep. The fight is called off, giving Nick Rossborough the TKO win.

The Official Result

Nick Rossborough Def. Ryan Martinez TKO (Doctor Stoppage: Torn Left Biceps) R1 5:00

Jacob Ortiz vs. Clifford Starks

Round 1

Al Guinee with officiate this middleweight bout. Ortiz paws out his jab and Starks looks to tie him up. Ortiz lands a left-right combination, and then changes levels against the cage. Starks threatens with a guillotine choke but gives it up quickly. Starks with a lunging right hand and Ortiz answers with a right low kick. Ortiz wings a right hand over the top and Starks counters with a left hand. Startks lands a possible low blow, but the fighters continue. The two middleweights begin trading wild combinations in the middle of the cage, both landing several punches. Ortiz’s nose is bloodied up now as Starks begins to find his punches. Starks clinches his opponent against the cage, but Ortiz reverses position and completes a takedown. “Kobe the Stunna” moves into half guard as Starks has his back to the fence. Starks climbs to his feet and lands a couple knees to the midsection. Ortiz pushes Starks against the cage, but the UFC veteran lands several hard elbows to the side of his head as the round closes. 10-9 Starks.

Round 2

Starks opens with a right hand upstairs and follows with two left hooks. Ortiz ties his opponent against the cage looking for a single leg. Starks snatches up the Arizona native’s exposed neck and locks up a guillotine choke. The two middleweights fall to the canvas and the choke appears to be cinched up. There is no tap as “Kobe the Stunna” is choked unconscious, causing referee Al Guinee to halt the bout.

The Official Result

Clifford Starks Def. Jacob Ortiz Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) R2 0:52

Raymond Pina vs. LaRue Burley

Round 1

The fighters quickly take the center and Burley throws an overhand right. Pina immediately changes levels taking the Phoenix native to the floor. Pina appears to land an illegal grounded knee, but referee Jason Herzog doesn’t see it. Burley tries to make it back to his feet but is dragged down by the Tuscon native. Pina now working from the north-south position landing left hands and knees to the body. Burley explodes out with a roll and is back to his feet. Pina quickly completes another takedown, slamming “The Cannibal” to the canvas. Pina staying busy in side control landing short elbows and punches. Pina trying to set up a guillotine against the cage, but Burley defends. Burley scrambles out but Pina is all over him as he looks for another takedown near the fence. Pina hoists the Phoenix fighter over his head and looks to slam his opponent to the canvas. The fighters land on the mat and Burley fires off several right hands to the body as the round closes. 10-9 Pina.

Round 2

Burley dives forward with a right hand and Pina again looks to change levels early. “The Cannibal” sprawls and Pina again shoots in for the takedown. Burley snags his neck and locks up a tight guillotine choke. The submission is tight and Pina has no choice but to submit.

The Official Result

LaRue Burley Def. Raymond Pina Submission (Guillotine) R2

Mike Richman vs. Ed West

Round 1

Richman wades forward sticking out his jab and West answers with an outside low kick. Richman pressuring he Arizona fighter near the cage as West explodes forward with a right hand. West appears to be feinting a spinning kick and lands a solid right hand over the top. Richman continues moving forward and West fires off a partially blocked high kick. West circles the cage and Richman cuts him off with a left-right combination upstairs. An inside low kick from Richman lands on the cup and the fight is briefly stopped. The fight continues and West lands a high kick upstairs as he circles.

Richman landing hard right hands upstairs and has West backing up. Richman times a perfect Right hook-left cross combination that knocks West unconscious against the fence. Beautiful walk-off knockout for the former tournament finalist.

The Official Result

Mike Richman Def. Ed West KO (Punches) R1 2:44

Thiago Meller vs. Bubba Jenkins

Round 1

John McCarthy is the third man in the cage for this featherweight bout. Jenkins opens up with a low kick and follows with a spinning back kick. Meller answers with a low kick of his own and just misses with a knee in the clinch. Jenkins scores with a stinging jab and Meller moves forward with another low kick. The featherweights are measuring each other in the center and Jenkins continues to work his jab. “The Highlight Kid” whiffs on a right hand over the top and Meller answers with a left-right combination. Meller scores with a left hook upstairs and follows with a body kick. With 2:00 left on the clock Jenkins changes levels for a takedown, but the Brazilian briefly ensnares him in a guillotine. Meller still committing to the submission as the fight hits the floor. The NCAA champion clears his head and goes to work in his opponent’s half guard. Meller has a cut on his left eye. Jenkins dives in and Meller threatens with a triangle. Jenkins escapes and rains down several hammer fists as the round closes. 10-9 Meller.

Round 2

Jenkins lands a low kick and follows with a right hand up top. Meller lands a body kick, but Jenkins signals an eye poke and John McCarthy calls a break in the action. The contest resumes and Jenkins lands a jab-cross combination followed by a right hand up top. “The Highlight Kid” drops for a takedown but the Brazilian sprawls to defend. Now it’s Jenkins on the outside as Meller increases his output with left and rights upstairs. Jenkins changes levels and completes a takedown against the cage. Jenkins has a head lock position but Meller tries to stand.

Jenkins uses the space to complete the ankle pick and drags “Minu” back to the canvas. Under 2:00 on the clock and John McCarthy calls for more action as Jenkins continues to work against the fence. Jenkins stands to land some short punches and Meller throws up his legs to attempt a triangle., but the wrestler defends with ease. Meller now has an additional cut to deal with, this one on his right eye. Jenkins stands and attacks with a diving right hand as the bell sounds. 10-9 Jenkins.

Round 3

The third stanza begins and Meller has a significant mouse underneath his left eye. Jenkins explodes forward with a high kick that is off the mark. Meller connects with a hard right hand upstairs and Jenkins looks to change levels. Meller defends at first but the NCAA champion again looks for a takedown. Meller threatens with a guillotine but Jenkins defends, hopping over into half guard. There is a brief stop in the action as Jenkins adjusts his shorts. Jenkins now going to work with hard left and rights to the head of the Porto Alegre native. Jenkins keeping a lot of pressure as he continues his ground and pound attack. After a scramble Jenkins ends up in a near mount as he rains down hard shots. Meller’s face is bloodied up now. “The Highlight Kid” is punishing the Brazilian with hard elbows and punches. Under 1:00 left and John McCarthy warns Meller to improve his position. He obliges, but Jenkins is all over “Minu” with more ground and pound. Jenkins hops to his feet to land a couple right hands as the round comes to an end. 10-9 Jenkins (29-28 Jenkins).

The Official Result

Bubba Jenkins Def. Thiago Meller Decision (Unanimous) [29-28, 30-27, 30-27] R3 5:00

Patricky Freire vs. Marcin Held

Round 1

Jason Herzog will referee this lightweight tournament final. The fighters take the center and Held explodes forward with a flying kick. Patricky looking to stalk his opponent while looking for a counter. Held doubles up the jab and then rolls forward for a leg lock, taking top position on Freire. “Pitbull” keeps Held close and scrambles up to his feet. Held now playing the outside of the cage and Freire lands a hard knee upstairs. Held looks to tie the Brazilian up against the cage but Freire reverses. Held sits back looking for a heel hook but Freire keeps his balance and remains in top position. “Pitbull” moves into side control while Held grapevines. Held now looking for an omoplata on the left side. Freire seems comfortable keeping the pace slow as referee Jason Herzog calls for action. Herzog orders for a stand up and the lightweights again stand. With seconds left in the round Held changes levels, but the bell sounds. 10-9 Held.

Round 2

Held wades forward with a punching combination looking to close the distance. The Polish submission ace changes levels looking for a takedown, but Freire sprawls. Held keeps the pressure and ties the Brazilian against the cage, completing a double leg takedown. Held now in top position as Freire does his best to tie up the Pole’s arms. Held passes to side control and threatens with a kimura on the left side. “Pitbull” defends and Heldo lands some short elbows in half guard. Midway through the round and Held continues to land short elbows to the head and thigh of the Brazilian. Held briefly takes mount but Freire regains half guard.

The submission ace lands some thudding right hands to the head of his opponent as the fighters move closer to the cage. Under 1:00 left now and Freire seems trapped as Held continues with his ground and pound. Held scoring with solid elbows upstairs that cut Freire above his right eye. The round ends in this position. 10-9 Held.

Round 3

The final round starts with Held on the outside. The Pole dives in for a takedown and completes a double leg, taking Freire to the canvas. Held goes to work in his opponent’s guard landing a couple elbows. “Pitbull” tries to stand but Held pushes him back to the mat, ending up in half guard. Held now attacking the left arm looking for a kimura. “Pitbull” is trapped against the cage and Held uses his legs to prevent the stand up. Halfway through the round and it’s Held keeping top position near the fence. The Polish submission artist moves into full mount and postures up to land some punches. Freire bucks and rolls out of mount and the fighters stand. Held again rolls for the leglock and ends up in top position. Held moves to side control but Freire manages to stand with under 1:00 left on the clock. Held keeps the pressure against the cage and completes another takedown, landing several short punches as the final bell sounds. 10-9 Held.

The Official Result

Marcin Held Def. Patricky Freire Decision (Unanimous) [29-28, 30-27, 30-26] R3 5:00

Alexander Shlemenko vs. Brandon Halsey

Round 1

The fighters take the center and Halsey immediately changes levels for a takedown. The All-American puts Shlemenko on the canvas and quickly takes his back. Halsey slides his arm under the Russian’s neck and locks up a rear-naked choke. The submission is locked up and there is no tap as Shlemenko is choked unconscious. Brandon Halsey is the new Bellator Middleweight champion.

The Official Result

Brandon Halsey Def. Alexander Shlemenko Technical Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 0:35