Bellator 172 ‘Fedor vs. Mitrione’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Martin Sano vs. Diego Herzog

Round 1

Herzog throws an awkward front kick to ward off an encroaching Sano. Sano throws a wild right hand and Herzog clinches up, then lands a knee to the groin that prompts referee Frank Trigg to call for a pause and warn Herzog. Upon resumption, Sano charges Herzog again and eats a head kick, then Herzog changes levels and takes him down. Herzog gets the back with one hook, but gets shaken off and scrambles up to his feet, only to take Sano right back down. Herzog takes full mount but is conservative with his ground-and-pound, trying to force Sano to roll. In the last 60 seconds, Herzog gets busier with punches and elbows, forcing Sano to roll around underneath, trying to wait out the clock. He does so, barely.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Herzog
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Herzog
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-8 Herzog

Round 2

Both middleweights appear tired to start the second round. “Nosferatu” shoots in sloppily on Sano and can't finish the takedown clean, leading to an over-under clinch against the fence. Both men pummel and take turns getting underhooks, but don't generate much more offense than short punches and knees to the thighs. Herzog separates finally with two minutes to go in the round, but Sano barrels back into the clinch, eating knees to the body. Sano keeps driving Herzog into the fence, landing short knees to the thighs. Herzog gets free with 30 seconds left, lands a left kick to the body, then has a tired volley of punches blocked.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sano
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Sano

Round 3

Sano lands a right cross then a clean right uppercut moments later, prompting Herzog to swing back. Both men are arm-weary now, but they open with strikes and Sano lands a head kick. Herzog shoots a desperate takedown, but Sano sprawls on this one and disengages. Both men mix it up on the feet and Sano is bleeding from the nose, but his punches make “Nosferatu” shoot another ugly double. Herzog is just on his knees, crawling, but Sano grabs the cage to stay up and referee Frank Trigg calls a pause and deducts a point from Sano. Upon the restart, Herzog flops to guard off of a Sano right hand, but Sano tells him to stand up.

b With just under two minutes to go, Sano essentially just falls over with Herzog exhaustedly charging at him and winds up on his back. Trigg stands to pair up with 40 seconds to go after little action. On the feet, Herzog shoots, then pulls guard and Sano closes the fight grinding on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 9-9 (29-27 Herzog)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 9-9 (28-28 Draw)
Mike Sloan scores the round 9-9 (28-27 Herzog)

The Result

Diego Herzog and Martin Sano is Declared a Majority Draw (28-27, 28-28, 28-28) R3 5:00

Gaston Bolanos vs. Abner Perez

Round 1

Bolanos begins by patiently stalking Perez, who circles back and forth, switching stances and kicking to the legs. A minute in, Perez shoots and Bolanos easily sprawls, then lands a right kick to the body. Perez returns with a body kick of his own, but Bolanos catches his leg and lands a right hand. Two minutes in, Bolanos looks frustrated by Perez's constant circling and bouncing around. Perez throws a right hand and Bolanos nails him with a clean one-two. Bolanos lands another hard right hand, then catches another Perez kick, dumping him to the mat, landing a few punches, then standing back up.

Bolanos catches another Perez kick, then just misses with a spinning back elbow, but manages to sneak a left hook in. Another lunging one-two for Bolanos, then he absolutely clobbers Perez with a right overhand. Bolanos follows up with ground-and-pound shots on a finished Perez until referee “Big” John McCarthy steps in to halt the bout.

The Result

Gaston Bolanos def. Abner Perez via TKO (Punches) R1 4:53

J.C. Llamas vs. James Terry

Round 1

Llamas nearly trips Terry up 30 seconds in with a charging low cut kick. Terry trots forward, stalking Llamas, who circles side to side looking to counter. Terry comes forward and accidentally clashes heads with Llamas, but neither is worse for wear. Terry throwing flicker jabs, trying to open Llamas up and he lands a whipping right. Bad wheel kick attempt by Llamas is nowhere near Terry, then Terry lands another clean jab. Llamas plods forward swinging wild hooks and eats a hard right hand from Terry. Llamas' nose is bloodied up and streaming down over his mouth now. Terry shoots a single with 30 seconds to go but Llamas shuts it down, forcing Terry to switch to a double. Terry gets him down, but Llamas shows a leglock attempt to scramble up. Flailing body shot for Llamas lands before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Terry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Terry
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Terry

Round 2

“Intensity” continues aggressively stalking Llamas, who continues to circle the outside. Terry lands a jab, but Llamas charges at him with another wide-swinging flurry that forces Terry to back up briefly. A pair of hard outside low kicks land for Terry. Llamas throws a pair of punches but gets countered by a left hook. Terry is cut on the outside of his right eye now. Both men land jabs, but Terry puts a right hook behind his and lands. Llamas attempts an ugly knee tap, Terry defends it, but as he retreats, Llamas lands a few hooks. Terry comes back with another one-two. Bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Terry
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Terry
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Terry

Round 3

More inside low kicks from Terry on a retreating Llamas. Llamas pumps his jab out and Terry opens his lead hand to grab his hand. Llamas steps forward and Terry's left thumb goes right into his eye, sending Llamas retreating backwards, covering his face. Referee Mike Beltran calls for time. After a break to recover, Llamas can't accurately tell the cageside physician how many fingers he's holding up and that's the end of this one. We're going to a technical decision.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Terry (30-27 Terry)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Terry (30-27 Terry)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Terry (30-27 Terry)

The Result

James Terry def. J.C. Llamas via Technical Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 0:37

J.J. Okanovich vs. Zach Andrews

Round 1

Inside low kick from Okanovich starts the bout, then he nearly tosses Andrews to the mat with a whizzer, but winds up being double-legged right onto his back. Andrews works to half guard while Okanovich shrimps back to the fence to stand up. Andrews grabs a guillotine and works it standing, but Okanovich pops out. Uchimata attempt from Andrews but Okanovich rolls with it, pops up and lands a right hand. Andrews working hard for takedowns here but Okanovich with solid defense. Andrews sucks him down with a single finally, but Okanovich snakes right back up the fence and resumes landing Travis Browne-style elbows to the side of the head. “The Bosnian Bomber” grabs a guillotine of his own off of a sprawl, but Andrews clears his hips and winds up on top. Okanovich explodes from his back and sweeps Andrews, then takes his back with 20 seconds to go. Okanovich boxes his man's ears until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Okanovich
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Okanovich
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Okanovich

Round 2

Andrews drives in for a takedown and winds up clashing heads with Okanovich, opening up a nasty cut, but one that is fortunately high on his forehead. Andrews lobs a tired head kick, Okanovich catches it and knocks him off balance, diving into a front headlock position, but he can't turn the corner and take the back. He drives into top position, takes side control, then Andrews scrambles to the turtle. This time, Okanovich takes the back and “The Cadillac” is simply out of gas. He offers little resistance and doesn't find Okanovich's hands at all; “The Bosnian Bomber” locks up the choke and it's a wrap in round two.

The Result

J.J. Okanovich def. Zach Andrews via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:26

Cesar Gonzalez vs. Nikko Jackson

Round 1

Both men exchanges punches and low kicks from distance over the first minute until Gonzalez smothers Jackson coming forward. The two clinch along the fence, jockeying for position with underhooks. Jackson gets free, creating space and using his kicks, but Gonzalez punches his way to him and clinches up again. Once more, Jackson gets free and opens up with kicks, but he is knocked to the mat off of a caught body kick and “Cubby” kicks his legs from Ali-Inoki position. Both men open up in the final 30 seconds, with Gonzalez landing punches coming forward until “The Wolf” drills him with a series of hard clinch knees. Both swing until the bell, with Gonzalez now cut open from Jackson's knee strikes.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jackson
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Jackson
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Jackson

Round 2

Gonzalez diligently landing low kicks while coming forward, but he is still keeping distance from Jackson, who continues to look for the double collar tie when “Cubby” runs forward. Two quick right hands land in a flurry from Jackson. Gonzalez catches a low kick from Jackson and lands solid right hand to the mouth. Wheel kick from Jackson is blocked, and he whiffs on the roundhouse kick follow up. Gonzalez flurries, putting Jackson on his heels and forcing him into a quick shot that is defended, creating a clinch. Jackson drives Gonzalez into the cage with over-unders and the pair trade knees until Jackson tries a sloppy suicide throw attempt and winds up on his back. Referee Jason Herzog sees Gonzalez just laying on top of Jackson in guard and quickly stands the pair up. One-two lands for Gonzalez, Jackson glances with a left in response.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Gonzalez

Round 3

Gonzalez with low kicks to start the final frame as Jackson is looking to counter. “The Wolf” shoots a right hand that brings Gonzalez forward, then Jackson grabs the neck and just misses landing a big knee. Two hard right hands in succession land for an advancing Jackson, who is becoming more aggressive now, stalking Gonzalez and using his hands.

Right hooks land for both men. Two minutes left in the fight and the action slows. Gonzalez throws an oblique kick on Jackson coming forward and appears to hyperextend his knee slightly, causing Jackson to step awkwardly on his lead leg. Jackson shakes his head to show he's not hurt, and flurries in the last 30 seconds. Jackson lands several hard hooks, Gonzalez chops into him with two leg kicks and for the last five seconds, both men just punch at each other “Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots” style until the bell, then hug one another emphatically.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Jackson)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Jackson)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Jackson (29-28 Jackson)

The Result

Nikko Jackson def. Cesar Gonzalez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) R3 5:00

Josh Koscheck vs. Mauricio Alonso

Round 1

Koscheck aggressively tracks down Alonso and backs him up to the cage, throwing large single right hands. Two hard rights land for Alonso, who circles off the cage and starts pumping his jab out. Halfway through the round, referee John McCarthy warns Koscheck to close his hands and stop extending his hands with the fingers open. Koscheck lands a right, but Alonso dings him with a countering flurry, then an inside low kick.

Hard, clean right cross from Alonso sends Koscheck to a knee, then reeling across the cage in retreat. The Ultimate Fighting Championship vet gets his feet and the Brazilian stays methodical, looking for an opening with Koscheck against the cage. He lands a nasty right uppercut that Koscheck ducks into. The former Edinboro wrestler pulls up holding his eye and Alonso opens up, hammering up with punches, putting him on the deck then following up with hammerfists until McCarthy steps into rescue Koscheck.

The Result

Mauricio Alonso def. Josh Koscheck via TKO (Punches) R1 4:42

Brooke Mayo vs. Veta Arteaga

Round 1

Lukewarm head kick lands for Mayo but Arteaga eats it. Mayo throws a lazy low kick, Arteaga catches it and knocks her down for a moment with two quick right hands. Mayo pops up and runs her woman into the fence. Mayo sucks Arteaga down to her knees, dragging her by the waist, then quickly takes her back, fighting or the rear-naked choke. Mayo sinks both hooks in and they're in the seated position up against the fence with Mayo boxing Arteaga's ears. Arteaga manages to escape from a crossface attempt and scramble up to her feet. Arteaga charges Mayo from range, but runs into a kick and winds up clinched against the cage again. Arteaga lands short knees and punches as Mayo drives for the takedown. Referee John McCarthy calls for time as the pair clash heads and it opens a small cut on the inside of Arteaga's left eyebrow. Front kick lands for Mayo, then both women land right hands. Mayo charges Arteaga late and eats a heavy right.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Arteaga
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Arteaga
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Mayo

Round 2

Both women circle the center of the cage and each lands a hard right cross. Both women feint, trying to make the other go first, before Mayo charges Arteaga with a series of kicks that get blocked. Mayo runs into a clinch, eats knees to the body, then presses Arteaga into the fence. Mayo gets to Arteaga's waist and drags her down as she did in round one, then once more steps into back control. She tries to pound Arteaga but slips over the top and winds up on her back. Mayo looks for an omoplata, but gets shut down, then postures for a triangle. Mayo scrambles to her feet and exchanges punches with Arteaga, then glances with a head kick. Arteaga lands a right hand, then gets run into the fence until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Mayo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Mayo
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Mayo

Round 3

A punch rush from Arteaga backs up Mayo from the outset and the Idaho native is turning up her output. A one-two from her rocks Mayo's head back. When Mayo tries to clinch up, Arteaga gets free and tags her on the break. Mayo gets to a double collar tie and lands a few decent knees to the face. She gets double underhooks and presses Arteaga into the fence, but can't find a takedown.

Back at range, a clean right cross lands for Arteaga, then she lights Mayo up with two quick combinations. The Californian drives in for a desperate double-leg takedown on Arteaga and gets it and once again, quickly gets her back. Arteaga shakes her and winds up on top with 90 seconds left, pounding away. Arteaga stands, kicks the legs and allows Mayo to retake her feet. Arteaga's right hand has taken its toll and there's a major hematoma forming in the left eyebrow of Brooke Mayo. John McCarthy calls for the doctor to examine her eye and he quickly calls the fight, much to the disappointment of Mayo who repeatedly
pleads “I can see! I can see you!”

The Result

Veta Arteaga def. Brooke Mayo via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R3 4:04

Francisco France vs. Anatoly Tokov

Round 1

Tokov throws a right cross and the pair clinch briefly. Three-punch combo for Tokov lands and spawns another clinch, this with over-unders as the pair work back to the fence. France looks for a trip, but Tokov works the knee block and wheels him down to the mat, moving into side control. “Kiko” regains guard and throws up an armbar, but the Russian pulls out and socks him in the face. France throws up another armbar attempt and gets Tokov belly down, but can't break his grip. France transitions into a backward triangle position to roll Tokov over and break his grip, but Tokov spins out of the armbar deftly in a great grappling sequence. They scramble to the feet and France runs Tokov into the fence until the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 France
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 France
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 France

Round 2

France shoots a double that Tokov easily sprawls on. Hard two-punch combo for Tokov lands and they come together again. France bails on a takedown and winds up on bottom.

From Ali-Inoki position, Tokov kicks at the legs of France but winds up kicking him in the groin. This leads to a pause in the action from referee Jason Herzog. On the restart, France rushes with a right hand and eats a left from Tokov. Undeterred, the Brazilian charges Tokov wildly again, gets clipped and falls to the mat, with Tokov diving into half guard. Heavy right punch from Tokov lands right on the ear, bounces “Kiko's” head on the mat and makes him turn sideways. Tokov postures up and puts the coffin nails in and referee Jason Herzog dives in to save France.

The Result

Anatoly Tokov def. Francisco France via TKO (Punches) R2 2:24

Cheick Kongo vs. Oli Thompson

Round 1

Thompson walks Kongo down and fires a low kick on his circling opponent. Kongo works the perimeter, flashing his jab and looking to counter Thompson on the way in. Body kick lands for Thompson and Kongo returns with a four-punch combo, dinging Thompson with right hands. Thompson roars back, landing his own right hand, standing Kongo up and forcing him to clinch. The Brit runs Kongo into the fence until Kongo lands a knee to the groin and referee Mike Beltran halts the action for a moment. Upon resumption, Kongo punches his way to Thompson, shoots a double and scoops his legs out. Thompson works to climb the fence but can't get free and winds up pon the bottom of half guard. Thompson tries to work a deep half, but Kongo controls and elbows him. Kongo punches to the exposed body, then lands more elbows. Thompson gets to a knee along the cage and eats punches, but eventually gets up. Kongo lands a stern knee to the midsection, then moves to the collar tie and lands a massive volley of knees, smashing them into the former strongman until the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kongo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Kongo
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Kongo

Round 2

Thompson feints and launches an overhand right at Kongo that misses. They come together into another clinch along the fence. Thompson tries to muscle Kongo off of his feet with a crotch lift, but that goes nowhere fast. Hard pummelling inside as Kongo lands knees, turns Thompson around and shoots a double. Kongo sucks Thompson's legs out again and sets up shop in half guard. Kongo pounds away, landing punches and elbows to the head and body. Thompson trying to control Kongo from the bottom but he's stacked up against the fence eating shots. A big right hand sneaks through and smacks Thompson, who rolls into a kneebar attempt, but still can't scramble up. More half guard clobbering from Kongo, who is landing more punches and elbows. With 35 seconds to go in the round, Kongo lands a massive salvo of strikes. Thompson shrimps away and abates the beating just momentarily, but takes more abuse before the bell saves him.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Kongo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Kongo
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-8 Kongo

Round 3

Kongo gets a single collar tie and an overhook on Thompson and drills the Brit with several hard knees to the body, then deposits his foe on the canvas again, briefly moving into full mount before settling for half guard again. More punches and elbows to the body land for Kongo.

Thompson continues to scramble and move just enough on bottom to avoid a stoppage from Kongo's steady stream of ground strikes. Two minutes left and Kongo just keeps pounding away. With just over 90 seconds to go, he crouches up and then drives a knee into Thompson's ribs. Thompson winds up seated with a minute to go and Kongo steps into full mount. Hammerfists and elbows score for Kongo. Kongo grinds away with punches and elbows until the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Kongo (30-25 Kongo)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Kongo (30-25 Kongo)
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-8 Kongo (30-25 Kongo)

The Result

Cheick Kongo def. Oli Thompson via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26) R3 5:00

Josh Thomson vs. Patricky Freire

Round 1

Freire and Thomson exchange leg kicks as Thomson circles the outside. “Pitbull” turns up his leg kick output, leading Thomson to grab him and look for a trip takedown, but Freire gets free. Freire drops Thomson with a sharp right, but the former Strikeforce lightweight champion quickly recovers and gets to his feet. Thomson lands a low kick, then has a head kick blocked. Thomson tries to smother Freire standing and get another clinch, but Freire frees himself. “Pitbull” touches Thomson with another right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Freire
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Freire
Mike Sloan scores the round 10-9 Freire

Round 2

Thomson comes out aggressively to start the second stanza, attacking his opponent with a higher volume of low kicks. He stalks Freire backwards, then tries to step in on a one-two. Unfortunately, he walks into an accidental headbutt from Freire, then gets dropped with a big left hook. “The Punk” gathers his wits and gets to his feet, but he's still not all there. Thomson shoots a double-leg takedown, but on the way in, he eats a massive submarining uppercut from “Pitbull” and pitches over sideways, his legs crossed. Freire dives on him and gets in two big hammerfists before referee John McCarthy officially gets in to end the bout.

The Result

Patricky Freire def. Josh Thomson via KO (Punches) R2 0:40