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Bellator 145 ‘Vengeance’ Results, Updates & Play-by-Play



Along with a free live stream of the Bellator 145 undercard/prelims, Sherdog.com has play-by-play and round-by-round scoring below.

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Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Adam Cella vs. Chel Erwin-Davis

Round 1

Erwin-Davis moves Cella back to the fence, gets over-unders and trips him to the canvas, but can't hold him down for long. Cella pops back to his feet, but from the clinch, Erwin-Davis shows great tactics, deftly pummelling, then dropping low to pick Cella's ankle. Cella falls to his knees and bails out, and in the scramble, Erwin-Davis locks up a high-elbow guillotine and jumps guard. He wrestles with the choke for a minute, but can't force the tap from Cella, who stays patient, pops his head out and sets up in full guard. Cella can't do much pounding before Erwin-Davis snakes up the fence, but Cella holds the clinch and runs him right back to the mat, landing in side control. Cella opens up with elbows as he tries to pass to full mount, then takes Erwin-Davis' back as he turns away. Cella nearly sinks an RNC, but Erwin-Davis turns his head away, then bucks and escapes back control. Cella transitions for an armbar, but the Missouri native can't extend Erwin-Davis' arm. Erwin-Davis pops his arm out and pounds on Cella til the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cella
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Erwin-Davis
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Erwin-Davis

Round 2

Cautious kickboxing starts the second round from the welterweights until Erwin-Davis goes inside, takes Cella down again and starts muscling him from half guard. Erwin-Davis starts landing heavy chopping elbows, prompting Cella to go belly-down as he scrambles. Erwin-Davis opens up with both hands, boxing the ears of Cella as he tries to stand. Cella gets to his feet and explodes into a takedown, putting his foe back on the mat, moving to side control. The tired Cella gets lazy moving on top, getting swept without a ton of technique by Erwin-Davis, who gets back to mashing on top. Until the bell, Erwin-Davis sits on Cella's leg in half guard and punishes him.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Erwin-Davis
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Erwin-Davis
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Erwin-Davis

Round 3

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Erwin-Davis put away Cella with hands.
The third round opens similarly to the second stanza for the pair of welterweights, but this time when they start throwing tepid strikes at one another from range, Erwin-Davis seems to sense Cella fading and looks to counter “The Ultimate Fighter” vet while he lumbers forward. Cella tries to attack and walks right into a clean jab-right cross from Erwin-Davis that jelly-legs him standing. The New Jersey native jumps all over the unraveling Cella, who falls to his knees under the oncoming pressure and sits in the turtle position eats punishment from both Erwin-Davis' hands until referee Mike England rescues him.

The Official Result

Chel Erwin-Davis def. Adam Cella via TKO (Punches) R3 0:35

Garrett Gross vs. Jeff Crotty

Round 1

On Gross' first leg kick, Crotty shoots and double-legs his man to the mat. Gross shrimps back to the fence and stands, but Crotty cleverly gets one hook standing and uses a half nelson to force him to the mat. Crotty pulls him down with one hooks, crossfacing hard with a Gable grip, but there's no rear-naked choke. Gross scrambles to his feet, but winds up in a guillotine this time from Crotty. Gross pops his head out, then starts punching and elbowing against the fence. Crotty tries to scramble free, but gets trapped in Ali-Inoki position with Gross kicking his legs and menacing him from above. Crotty finally jumps up to stand and eats a clean right uppercut. Crotty decides to throw caution to the wind, taking deep breaths and winding up on haymakers. The Illinois native showing zero real standup technique, but is still making contact with Gross. Gross clobbers him back, knocking the flailing Crotty down and then diving on top. While Gross pounds on Crotty from the top, Crotty rolls into a desperate takedown, puts Gross on his back and grinds from half guard until round one ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gross
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gross
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Gross

Round 2

Gross walks down Crotty, who takes deep breaths while Gross kicks at his legs, then brings punch combos behind them. Big right uppercut from Gross hurts Crotty, prompting the Staunton, Ill., native to roll into a successful single-leg takedown along the fence. Crotty keeps pressuring and elbowing away until he passes to full mount at the halfway mark of the round and the fight. Crotty takes his time on top, looking to make Gross open up. Unfortunately for him, that's not working for referee Mark Wasem, who stands Crotty up from full mount. No matter the slight, Crotty powers Gross back to the canvas within seconds and gets back to outgrappling him from half guard. Nothing of note transpires before round's end.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Crotty
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Crotty
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Crotty

Round 3

Crotty sneaks a pair of jabs in on a rushing Gross, who walks right into another double-leg takedown from Crotty. Crotty puts the American Top Teamer on the mat, gets to side control then looks to keep walking into north-south as he threatens with a choke. While threatening the choke, Crotty passes his inside leg back over Gross' legs and passes into full mount again, very nice. Gross eats some punches before shrimping back and putting Crotty in half guard, then sweeping to top when Crotty tries to pass guard again.

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Gross swept the scorecards.
Crotty throws up an inverted triangle from the bottom, which allows him to sweep back to top position, but only briefly. At the halfway point of the round, Gross explodes back up and chases Crotty down with frantic strikes. Crotty dives for a panicking takedown and winds up flat on his back with Gross on top. Crotty doesn't stay down long, but eats some heat from Gross as he gets up. As the very fatigued Crotty tries to end the fight with a takedown, he walks headlong into more Gross punches and essentially falls over from exhaustion.

Gross takes top position, pounding away in half guard, but Crotty just doesn't have the gas left to do much of anything. Gross stays on top, bashing away until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gross (29-28 Gross)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gross (29-28 Gross)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Gross (29-28 Gross)

The Official Result

Garrett Gross def. Jeff Crotty via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Steven Mann vs. Kyle Kurtz

Round 1

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Kurtz caught Mann in a triangle.
Mann is the early aggressor, seeking and getting a quick takedown and then passing into side control and trying for full mount. In his haste, Mann gets overly aggressive and nearly gets swept. Fortunately for Mann, Kurtz can't finish the sweep and actually gives Mann full mount briefly, giving him occasion to land a few elbows. Kurtz escapes and tries to get free, but Mann runs him down, tackling him into the cage. Mann looks for punches and elbows on top, but he buries his head into Kurtz's chest while Kurtz sneaks his hips up. “The Hurtz” throws up a triangle, then gets control of the arm and forces Mann to tap.

The Official Result

Kyle Kurtz def. Steven Mann via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 2:59

Adam Meredith vs. Jordan Dowdy

Round 1

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Meredith hit a RNC on Dowdy.
Meredith swipes with a two-punch combo, just grazing Dowdy across teh facing, then switching back and forth in his stance, from orthodox to southpaw and back again. Dowdy charges for a takedown, stalemating Meredith against the fence. Meredith surprises with a takedown of his own from over-unders, and Dowdy hits his knees trying to bail out on the outside trip attempt. In the scramble, the St. Louis native sinks his hooks in on Dowdy, takes the back, pops his hips out. In the blink of an eye, Meredith sinks the rear-naked choke and this one is a wrap. Business-like finish from Adam Meredith.

The Official Result

Adam Meredith def. Jordan Dowdy via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:54

Augusto Sakai vs. Alex Huddleston

Round 1

Huddleston feints and gauges the distance with outside low kicks against Sakai, who sits low in his stance, looking to explode on the counter. When Sakai attacks with a kick of his own, it strays low and catches Huddleston on the cup, prompting a pause from referee Mark Wasem. On the restart, Huddleston gets back to cautiously stalking Sakai. Sakai throwing more kicks of his own now, as Huddleston stands just outside of the Brazilian's jabbing range. With 90 seconds left in the first round, neither man has landed a substantial or noteworthy. Huddleston walks Sakai back to the cage and finally attacks, but when he does, Sakai laces him with a hard right hook. Huddleston stumbles into a takedown attempt, but Sakai stuffs it and roughs him up with some more hooks before “The Shaved Gorilla” circles out. Sakai just misses the business end of a left hook-right overhand combo before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sakai

Round 2

Sakai showing more forward motion in the second round, as opposed to letting Huddleston walk him down. Still, most of the strikes are pawing jabs and checked leg kicks from both men. Huddleston tries to step into the clinch, the Brazilian blocks, cuts an angle and whacks him with a right hook. Sakai has an overhand right blocked, but he doubles up his left hook and lands on Huddleston again. Another run into the pocket from Huddleston, another right-hand counter from Sakai. The American barrels into the clinch again, going headfirst into a standing guillotine from Sakai, who casually alternates between threatening the choke and kneeing Huddleston in the head. Huddleston drops to all fours to prevent the knees to the head, so Sakai lets him go and resets, but can't land any more real artilery before the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sakai

Round 3

More of the same tepid pace in the third round, with Huddleston now reluctant to seriously engage Sakai despite time slipping away. Sakai remains effecient and in his element, throwing leg kicks and looking for chances to wind up and crack Huddleston.

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Sakai easily won rounds one and two.
The Missouri-born Huddleston has the crowd restless now as he continues aimlessly feinting and having his leg kicks checked with two minutes left to fight. Huddleston continues to plod forward, eats a right from Sakai, then retreats. With 35 seconds to go, Huddleston fakes an awful Superman punch, shoots a double and Sakai easily denies him. Finally, Huddleston cracks Sakai with two right hands, which wakes the Brazilian up a bit. With just seconds to go, “The Shaved Gorilla” smashes Sakai with a counter right that wobbles him badly, spit flying out of his mouth. Huddleston charges Sakai and knocks him to the mat with a right hook, but the
final bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Huddleston (29-28 Sakai)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Huddleston (29-28 Sakai)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Huddleston (29-28 Sakai)

The Official Result

Augusto Sakai def. Alex Huddleston via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Kain Royer vs. Clay Mitchell

Round 1

Royer shoots a single right out of the gate, but Mitchell sprawls nicely. Royer is smart to move his man back to the fence, cutting his hips off, but Mitchell shows a strong sprawl. Royer tries to yank Mitchell off the fence, Mitchell bails out on top and falls right into full mount.

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Royer tapped Mitchell with a kneebar.
Royer tries to roll free, but Mitchell gets both hooks in and takes his back, punching his ears and looking for a choke. Royer finally knocks him off balance, but freezes while he's sweeping, ending up in a triangle. Royer escapes one, then another, but is breathing deep in Mitchell's active guard just halfway through the opening frame. Mitchell uses another triangle attempt to sweep, but ends up with his leg caught beneath Royer. Royer locks up a toehold, then switches to a kneebar and pops his hips out. It's tight and Mitchell taps, giving Royer the sudden come-from-behind submission.

The Official Result

Kain Royer def. Clay Mitchell via Submission (Kneebar) R1 3:41

Fazlo Mulabitinovic vs. Scott Ettling

Round 1

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Mulabitinovic displayed a slick finish.
Ettling closes in on Mulabitinovic quickly, looking to put him on the mat. The tall, spindly Mulabitinovic can't circle and keep his distance, allowing Ettling to get in close and slam him to the mat. Mulabitinovic doesn't have a look at any submissions from the outset, but is easily controlling Ettling from his back. Mulabitinovic works his long legs up on Ettling, threatening, but Ettling shuts him down. Mulabitinovic frames a triangle from the guard, Ettling postures up for a moment but leaves his arm, and Mulabitinovic snatches it up, rolls him and gets the immediate tap with the nifty armbar.

The Official Result

Fazlo Mulabitinovic def. Scott Ettling via Submission (Armbar) R1 1:52

Brandon Lowe vs. Rashard Lovelace

Round 1

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Lovelace pounded out Lowe.
The two featherweights begin with a brief feeling-out process in the center of the cage. Lovelace kicks Lowe’s legs out from under him and Lowe invites his foe into guard for a moment, then eventually returns to his feet. Lowe shoots for a takedown and Lovelace sprawls. Lowe continues to drive for the takedown on the mat as Lovelace defends and lands punches to the ribs. Suddenly, Lovelace shifts position, lands a few clean, hard punches upstairs and Lowe is clearly done. Referee John Duever quickly rushes in to halt the fight and Lovelace celebrates with a backflip off the cage.

The Official Result

Rashard Lovelace def. Brandon Lowe via TKO (Punches) R1 2:07

Justin Lawrence vs. Emmanuel Sanchez

Round 1

Sanchez aggressively stalks Lawrence from the bout's outset while the local featherweight tries work the outside with his array of karate kicks. Sanchez blocks most of Lawrence's kicks, but can't locate punches as he moves inside. Lawrence, continuously circling to his left, knocks Sanchez in the jaw with a right hook. Sanchez fakes a flying knee, and nearly walks into a heavy counter from Lawrence when he lands. Lawrence starting to open up with his hands more frequently on the counter as Sanchez continues pressuring, albeit not landing clean. Sanchez lands a nice stepping knee in close, but fires off a four-punch combo afterwards which Lawrence nicely ducks and avoids. Sanchez continues pressuring, and starts to make glancing contact with Lawrence with his hooks, then moves into the clinch with under 90 seconds left. Lawrence strafes along the fence, fending off Sanchez's over-under attacks. Lawrence gets free with just over 10 seconds to go and neither man lands in the round's closing moments.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lawrence
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Lawrence

Round 2

Lawrence remains on his bicycle in the second round, but he is firing his hands more aggressively on the encroaching Sanchez, letting off two- and three-punch salvos when Sanchez wades in close. Sanchez clocks the retreating Lawrence with a quality head kick that stumbles him up for a moment. “El Matador” ducks under a Lawrence right cross and secures double underhooks along the fence, but Lawrence bides his time while idling hammerfisting Sanchez in the side of the head. Hard pummelling inside, then Sanchez changes levels for a takedown, but can't pull Lawrence to the mat. “The American Kid” pulls Sanchez back up into the clinch, but can't get free as Sanchez sticks him there, kneeing his thighs and trying to trip him to the mat. They separate with under a minute to go in the second frame and Sanchez is slashed open around the left eye. Sanchez gets in close and lets off a series of quality clinch knees before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sanchez
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sanchez

Round 3

A brief exchange of strikes leads to Sanchez rushing Lawrence for another takedown, but settling to stick him up against the cage wall. With underhooks, Sanchez lands a nice high knee and hits Lawrence's chin despite the close quarters. With just over three minutes left in the fight, Sanchez takes Lawrence down finally and briefly gets his back, but “The American Kid” reverses to top, settling in Sanchez's full guard and knuckling him up.

(+ Enlarge) | Photo: D. Mandel/Sherdog.com

Sanchez took the split decision.
“El Matador” has an active guard, working his hips high and elbowing in return from his back. Sanchez shrimps back to the cage and tries to use it to stand, but can't get back to his feet. He clings to Lawrence's arm, hoping to sweep him with a kimura, but winds up nearly giving up his own back. In a scramble, Lawrence passes under his legs to side control briefly, but can't hold Sanchez down. They return to their feet with 30 seconds left in the bout and exchange freely, with Sanchez sneaking a nice knee in behind a combination. Sanchez shoots again before the bell, but Lawrence defends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (29-28 Sanchez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (29-28 Sanchez)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Sanchez (29-28 Sanchez)

The Official Result

Emmanuel Sanchez def. Justin Lawrence via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Bobby Lashley vs. James Thompson

Round 1

Lashley fires off a right hand to begin the contest. Both heavyweights whiff on an exchange before Lashley shoots for a single-leg takedown; Thompson initially sprawls on it but Lashley won’t be denied.. “The Dominator” works his way to Thopson’s back and begins unloading with right hands to Thompson’s head. The intensity of the barrage increases as Lashley alternates punches behind the ear and to the face. He continues to pummel his foe with rights and lefts from back control and Thompson is hurt. A few more blows finish “The Colossus” off and referee Mike Englund is forced to intervene.


The Official Result

Bobby Lashley def. James Thompson via TKO (Punches) R1 0:54

Michael Chandler vs. David Rickels

Round 1

Rickels aims to keep distance by kicking, but Chandler steps through his front kicks with heavy two-handed punching, rocking Rickels with several hard rights, then ending up on top when Rickels attempts a lateral drop. Chandlers with a few short punches from full guard, but Rickels mostly tying him up effectively. At the midway mark of the round, Chandler breaks through with some strong right hands and elbows. Rickels throws his hips up high for a triangle, Chandler explodes out of it but “Caveman” uses the chance to regain his feet. Rickels continues to try to preserve range with his kicks, avoiding Chandler's punches better now. However, when the Kansas native starts feeling bold, he steps forward with punches, walking right into a double from Chandler that puts him on the mat again. Chandler doesn't generate much offense from top, but does get in a flurry of elbows before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Chandler

Round 2

Chandler starts round two with aggression, dipping into the pocket with casting punches and firing leg kicks to back Rickels up. The former Bellator champ gets “Caveman” back to the fence and dumps him on his seat once more, but Rickels crossfaces hard and fights back to his feet, then doubles his left hook to tag Chandler. Rickels treads forward behind his jab, but Chandler slips one and returns with a rocket right hand that stuns Rickels and forces him to shoot. Chandler gets a headlock and muscles his way on top, unloading with rights and lefts. Rickels is bloody and scrambling, and when he tries to roll into a single, Chandler smacks him with another right hand, then works his way back to top position. Rickels' nose is smashed and pouring blood as Chandler postures up and gets determined to find a stoppage with half of the round left. Rickels keeps trying to kick Chandler away, but he just can't halt the pressure. The former Mizzou Tiger wrestler lands another hard string of punches, forces Rickels to go fetal and now referee Mike England has no choice but to halt the contest.


The Official Result

Michael Chandler def. David Rickels via TKO (Punches) R2 3:05

Bellator Lightweight Title Fight:
Will Brooks vs. Marcin Held

Round 1

After a three-punch combo hits nothing but air, Held charges a second time on Brooks to set up a clinch, pinning him to the fence, then switching from the single to a crafty inside trip. Held sits on top of Brooks' legs, cautiously trying to shut down the champ's chances of sliding back up the fence, as Brooks sits on his seat, idly punching Held in the ears. Brooks tries to explode back to his feet, but Held sucks him right back down and keeps him seated. “Ill Will” makes it back to his feet at the three-minute mark of the fight, then gets a trip takedown of his own. Naturally, Held throws his hips up immediately and tries to turn over to go belly down on Brooks' left leg. Brooks keeping his legs figure-foured to stop Held from separating them as he shifts on top, trying to break the leglock specialist's posture. Finally, the Pole gets a grapevine on Brooks' left leg and rocks back from a kneebar, but can't extend it far enough to get the tap. Brooks turns forward into his foe, landing some ground-and-pound while Held scrambles. Brooks re-establishes on top in guard with 10 seconds left, landing short punches.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Held
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Held
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Held

Round 2

Brooks powers into an early takedown, briefly achieving side mount before Held replaces guard, working for an armbar. Brooks jams short left hands into Held's face while the Pole pendulums his legs and hips looking to sweep, keeping his balance. Held tries to turn belly-down to dig for Brooks' leg again, but “Ill Will” passes into full mount with under three minutes left in the round. Brooks showing heavy top pressure, locking up Held's neck and arm, trying to pass to the side for an arm-triangle choke. Held prevents him from finishing the choke and pops his head out. Brooks punches from mount, then tries to keylock Held's left arm fruitlessly. One minute left in the second round and Brooks drops elbows from above. With 20 seconds left, Held tries to roll, so Brooks keeps into a higher mount, punching away.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Brooks

Round 3

Held shoots a sloppy, tired single as the third begins, then just pulls guard; Brooks is happy to get on top and oblige him. Left hands from Brooks have Held looking at deep half guard for a moment, but more punches from the champ force Held to give it up. Brooks still grinding with punches and elbows on top, wearing out Held who is less and less active on bottom as the contest rolls along. Held tries to turn inside and dig at Brooks' leg again, only to eat a heavy salvo of punches. Three more punches from Brooks have Held kicking the champ away, but “Ill Will” dives right back on top. Another half guard sweep attempt from Held and Brooks is really unloading with quality, clean ground-and-pound now. With under 30 seconds to go, Held partially sweeps and gets a look at Brooks' right leg, but the champ stalls him out until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Brooks

Round 4

Held dives for Brooks' legs immediately, rolling onto his left leg, grapevining, then sitting him back into a seated leglock position, angling for a heel hook. Brooks fighits his hands, then rolls to top position again, on top in full guard. Held sucking wind in a major way on the bottom as he tries to turn perpendicular on bottom and work for an omoplata, but Brooks rips through his posture and slams him with some more short elbows. Held works back to the fence and turns over to attack Brooks' left leg again, but he just doesn't have the fuel at this juncture, so Brooks just bases down and punches away until Held breaks his grip and returns to full guard. With a minute to go, Held sweeps Brooks while locking down his left leg and forces the champ to Grimace as he twists his foot toward his groin and torques the knee. Brooks escapes and lets loose with a retaliatory salvo that busts Held up until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Brooks
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Brooks

Round 5

The lightweights trade jabs, but Brooks returns with his a moment later, with a stern right behind it. He bulls into the clinch, elevates Held slightly off the mat, then tosses him right back down to the canvas. Held tries to shrimp away from Brooks, but the champ keeps his head in his challenger's chest, driving forward and langing punches over the top while re-establishing position. Held tries to sweep once more, Brooks shuts it down and takes a breather on top, leading referee “Big” John McCarthy to stand the pair up with two minutes left in the title fight. Brooks clinches Held, Held drops and turns for another leglock attempt, but he's too high, letting Brooks drive his head into his stomach and punch him in the face. Held swings for one last leglock hope with 30 seconds to go, but Brooks just hangs out on top, popping him in the face until time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Brooks (49-46 Brooks)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Brooks (49-46 Brooks)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Brooks (49-46 Brooks)


The Official Result

Will Brooks def. Marcin Held via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 49-46) R5 5:00

Bellator Featherweight Title Fight:
Patricio Freire vs. Daniel Straus

Round 1

The southpaw Straus tags Freire with a quick left cross, but the champ eats it easily. After a minute of feinting and pawing, Freire lands a right hand and pushes Straus back to the fence. Freire tries to separate and fire his hands, but Straus ties his hands up, then blocks high and escapes. Straus drives in on a double-leg takedown, but Freire sprawls. Straus switches to a single, nearly gets “Pitbull” down, but can't quite get him there, as the Brazilian dings Straus with a knee and circles out. Straus throws a wild left hand, uses it to duck low and into a low single, tripping the outside leg. It's a beautiful technique, but Freire hops back up as soon as he hits the man. Straus fakes a flying knee, then hits the champ with a left hand. The pair come together in the clinch, with neither fighter getting a major advantage. Straus rams a knee into Freire's solar plexus, the last notable strike of the period.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Straus
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Freire

Round 2

Straus lands lukewarm leg kicks from the outside, then darts in behind his jab. Straus is keeping his right jab active, though he's not making active contact. Straus shoots low and gets denied, coming up into another clinch with “Pitbull.” Straus just glances with a big uppercut, but Freire makes cleaner contact with a knee to the head. They reset at range, Straus pressuring the champ. The challenger doubles his jab, then destroys Freire with a clean right hand that has him stiff as he falls. Straus is on Freire in a heartbeat, but the champion somehow gets his wits back, and locks up a tight armbar. Straus picks his man up, dragging him across the fence to the cage, then yanking his arm out. Straus takes a moment to collect himself on top, as Freire clings onto Straus' left arm, trying to clear his own cobwebs. Under two minutes to go and Straus grabs a front headlock, showing a potential guillotine choke. Straus digs to the ribs with right hands, then goes back to attacking the neck. Freire gets to the feet, and lands three hard elbows in the phone booth. There's 30 seconds left in the round and the champ looks like he's at least slightly more sentient, catching a Straus head kick and pushing his challenger away.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Straus
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Straus

Round 3

Straus more active with his jab now, and his left-handed power shots are tagging Freire with regularity now, rocking his head back. Freire isn't on death's door, but he's clearly a step slower since the brutal second-round knockdown. Straus drops for a low single and Freire thwarts it nicely, then lands a right cross. The featherweights trade jabs, and Straus just misses a wild left. Straus misses a jab, clinches briefly, then socks Freire with another quick left as he separates. Straus misses a two-piece and Freire lands a nice left of his own. With 90 seconds to go, Straus lands two left hands, shoots a double and gets denied. He runs Freire back to the cage, but “Pitbull” turns and separates. Straus flicks another jab out and his finger goes into Freire's left eye, prompting a short pause from referee “Big” John McCarthy. Freire takes just a brief moment to recover, and it's back to fighting. Straus glances with a left uppercut and lands a hard right hook. Freire stalks his challenger down, and they trade hooks at the end.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Straus
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Straus

Round 4

Straus lands a left body kick and shoots behind it, but Freire's takedown defense remains stalwart. Low cut kicks land for both men, then Straus lands his left uppercut and a flurry of hooks behind it as “Pitbull” covers up. Straus attacks again and they clash heads, so Freire gets McCarthy's attention and there's a short pause. They restart and Freire lands a diving right cross. Straus steps back into the pocket, landing both left hooks in a four-punch combo with gusto. Slick right hand from “Pitbull,” but he walks back with his hands down and Straus smacks him in the mouth with two more left hooks. Straus lands a hard left hand, then shakes it out as if he's broken it. He starts throwing jabs and elbows, which seems to further that notion. As if sensing an opportunity, the champion gets busy now, attacking Straus with punches, then landing a nice spinning back elbow. Right cross from Freire and Straus tries to swing back with punches, but he's clearly pulling back with his lefts. With under 30 to go, “Pitbull” starts flurrying along the cage, forcing Straus to cover up. Straus tries to jab Freire off, then the Brazilian drives for a fruitless takedown before the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Straus
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Straus

Round 5

The challenger Straus pumps his jab actively, surprising “Pitbull” with a clean left, albeit not with the power Straus showed early. Straus lands a left hook, then a jab and a left cross. Freire lands a right hand and a knee behind it. Straus gets a hold of a headlock and uses it to slow the champ down, grinding on him and milking the clock in a fight he's obviously ahead in. Straus with a short elbow inside, then Freire clatters a heavy roundhouse kick into Straus' high guard. Freire throws a right, ducks under and takes Straus down. Straus tries to scramble up, but exposes his back and “Pitbull” takes hi back with both hooks in at the halfway part of the round. Straus gets Freire's left hook out, then the right, but he can't get out of the turtle position. He tries to shimmy toward the fence as Freire rides his left leg, landing left hands. “Pitbull” gets his right hook in as Straus stands along the fence, crossfacing hard, but can't actually sink a choke. Straus gets out of danger with under 80 seconds to go, and Freire drives for another takedown. He disengages, lands another spinning back elbow, then flurries with his hands. Straus covers up nicely, then returns fire, throwing with both hands despite the Brazilian now getting the better of things. With 30 seconds left, Freire lands a clinch knee, then they swing again for several seconds until “Pitbull” lands another knee. For the last 15 seconds, both men just bash away with both hands, throwing arm-weary hooks, but with everything they've got left, up until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Freire (49-46 Straus)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Freire (49-45 Straus)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Freire (48-46 Straus)

The Official Result

Daniel Straus def. Patricio Freire via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) R5 5:00
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