Bellator 181 ‘Campos vs. Girtz 3’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Katy Collins vs. Bruna Vargas

The Result

Katy Collins def. Bruna Vargas via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Romero Cotton vs. Arron Rodriguez

Round 1

Cotton ducks under a combination and shoots for a takedown. He gets Rodriguez down but is reversed. Cotton gets up quickly and takes Rodriguez down again shortly thereafter. Romero goes to work in Rodriguez’s guard, landing short punches and elbows while his foe stays active from his back. Rodriguez is able to explode to his feet and he tags Cotton with a right hand before they tie up again. Cotton picks up Rodriguez and slams him to the mat. Cotton looks to create space and land ground-and-pound but Rodriguez is able to sweep to top position. He tries to take Cotton’s back but slips off the top. However, he attempts to catch Rodriguez in a triangle choke but it’s not in the proper position and Cotton eventually escapes and maintains top position. Rodriguez is able to stand and Romero presses forward with a knee. Cotton throws his man down to the canvas from a body lock position before the round ends. 10-9 Cotton.

Round 2

Cotton catches a leg kick and takes Rodriguez within 20 seconds. Rodriguez is staying active from is back, while Cotton periodically lands ground-and-pound. Halfway through the frame, and Rodriguez is still on his back. Cotton isn’t trying to pass guard, and referee Don Turnage issues a warning to get busy. Finally, Turnage has seen enough and they stand with 1:40 to go. Cotton throws a labored one-two and he gets tagged with a counter. Cotton changes levels and gets Rodriguez down near the fence. Rodriguez immediately frames a chimera but he is hindered by the fence. Cotton escapes and remains on top with a minute to go. Rodriguez lands short elbows from his back while Cotton punches the body. Cotton applies pressure with a cross face and stays heavy on top as the round ends. 10-9 Cotton.

Round 3

Cotton throws a slow one two, then ducks under a combination from Rodriguez. His takedown try is defended nicely by Rodriguez. They clinch and Romero lands an elbow on the break. Rodriguez connects with a clean right hand, prompting Cotton to immediately shoot for a takedown, and he gets his man down. Rodriguez sweeps into top position and gives up the position to transition to an armbar. Rodriguez tries to get the arm isolated but Cotton maintains his grip. Cotton defends and stacks Rodriguez against the fence. Now back on top, Cotton resumes landing moderate ground-and-pound. He stands and increases the intensity of his shots before dropping down low. Cotton isn’t doing much, but he still has control as the clock ticks down. 10-9 Cotton (30-27 Cotton).

The Result

Romero Cotton def. Arron Rodriguez via Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28) R3 5:00

Kemmyelle Haley vs. Logan Storley

Round 1

Haley lands a couple low kicks before Storley runs the pipe on a single leg and gets his foe to the canvas. Haley uses a high guard to try and neutralize his foe’s top offense. Haley lands an elbow from his back while Storley peppers away with right hands to the ribs. Strolled moves to side control, postures up and began tagging Haley with short elbows. Haley isn’t doing anything to defend the blows, and Storley increases the speed of his attack. After about 10 unanswered elbows to the head, referee Jason Herzog steps in to halt the welterweight contest.

The Result

Logan Storley def. Kemmyelle Haley via TKO (Elbows) R1 1:44

Andre Fialho vs. A.J. Matthews

Round 1

Matthews takes the center of the cage, and an extended feeling-out process ensues. A low kick from Fialho a little more than a minute in is the first offense of the fight. Matthews lands a leg kick of his own then follows with a two punch combination. Matthews lands a snapping inside leg kick as the deliberate pace continues. The welterweights briefly exchange in close quarters. Fialho misses on a spinning heel kick . Matthews lands a right hook to the body followed by a left hook up high. Fialho blocks a high kick from his opponent. Fialho changes levels and drives Matthews down near the fence with about a minute to go. He transitions to back mount and quickly gets both hooks in as Matthews stands. Fialho is somewhat high, but eventually he sinks his right arm and cranks. It’s not under the chin, however, and Matthews makes it to the bell. 10-9 Matthews.

Round 2

Matthews lands a liver kick early, then goes back to the body with a right hook. They exchange left hooks in another exchange. Fialho lands a hard right uppercut-left hook combo. Matthews answers with a hard outside leg kick followed by a right hook to the head. Matthews drives Fialho to the fence but he’s too high to get his foe down. They separate and Matthews lands an outside leg kick. A short uppercut from Fialho lands. Matthews again finds an opening for a liver hook. A lead left hook to the jaw form Fialho puts Matthews on retreat, and he unloads with punches and follows it up with a flying knee. Fialho is really opening up with offense and appears to have Matthews in trouble before he slips on a spinning kick. Matthews takes advantage and dives into top position, where he begins to hammer away with elbows. Matthews isn’t overwhelming from this position, but he is staying busy and has been able to recover from being rocked earlier. The round ends with Matthews on top. 10-9 Fialho.

Round 3

A right hook left hook combo stuns Fialho, and a short right hand drops Fialho. The Portuguese fighter recovers and he fires back with power punches. A two punch combo puts Matthews on the retreat for a moment. Matthews ties up Fialho and pushes his foe to the fence. He lands some upward right hands to the face before focusing on the takedown. Matthews can’t finish the takedown, but he keeps the pressure on, landing punches. Finally, Matthews is able to connect his hands and get Fialho down. Fialho gives up his back but Matthews can’t keep him down. They stand and Fialho is throwing bombs again, going to work with a hook uppercut combination. Matthews counters with a punch to the chin and then sprawls on a takedown. From the wrestling ride, Matthews lands a knee to the body. Matthews passes to side control at the 1:30 mark. Fialho looks exhausted and Matthews drops a short elbow to the head. Fialho turns to try and escape and Matthews gets his back. Matthews lands some punches under the armpit before Fialho stands. Matthews ends the frame shoving his foe against the fence. 10-9 Matthews (29-28 Matthews).

The Result

Andre Fialho def. A.J. Matthews via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Valentin Moldavsky vs. Carl Seumanutafa

Round 1

Seumanutafa gets taken down 20 seconds in and Moldavsky lands in half guard. Moldavsky goes to the head and the body with short punches from top position. Moldavsky fires off several short right hands to the ribs from above. He’s doing a good job varying the placement of his punches thus far, creating space and landing offense. Seumanutafa is trying to defend but he can’t shake Moldavsky, who remains diligent with his ground-and-pound. Moldavsky continues to lands punches as Seumanutafa finally stands. Moldavsky maintains a body lock, and he ends up back on top following a scramble on the mat. Moldavsky is back in half guard, where he continues to land short punches to the head and body before the round ends. 10-8 Moldavsky.

Round 2

Moldavsky lands a right hook before tying up Seumanutafa. He tries to execute a throw but Seumanutafa nearly reverses into top position before they stand again. Moldavsky grinds his foe into the fence and lands knees to the midsection and thighs. John McCarthy orders them to separate and Seumanutafa lands a jab. They tie up again and Moldavsky turns his opponent into the fence with ease. Moldavsky works some dirty boxing and knees in close quarters. Seumanutafa lands a short elbow with his back against the fence, but he can’t free himself from the position. Moldavsky is content to grind away, and he drops for a single leg takedown. He can’t get it and McCarthy orders another separation. Seumanutafa has a high kick blocked then appears to lose his footing, and Moldavsky ends up in top position. The Russian concludes the period with ground-and-pound inside Seumanutafa’s half guard. 10-9 Moldavsky.

Round 3

Seumanutafa opens with an inside low kick. Moldavsky punches his way into the clinch and then has a throw denied. A knee by Moldavsky lands below the belt and McCarthy calls time. The action resumes and Moldavsky gets an inside trip takedown from the clinch. Seumanutafa gets vertical but Moldavsky maintains his grip and eventually drags his foe to the mat. Moldavsky moves to the back, but instead of securing his hooks, he is content to ride Seumanutafa while landing left and right hands. Seumanutafa stands, but Moldavsky remains attached to his opponent. Seumanutafa looks for a standing kimura, but Moldavsky escapes with no issue. Moldavsky stays busy with knees to the thigh. Moldavsky isn’t setting a high pace here, but he’s doing just enough to keep control and avoid a break from the referee. Finally McCarthy has seen enough, and they separate with a minute to go. Moldavsky has no trouble punching his way back into the clinch, and they’re back on the fence. That’s how the fight will end, with Moldavsky in complete control. 10-9 Moldavsky (30-26 Moldavsky).

The Result

Valentin Moldavsky def. Carl Seumanutafa via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) R3 5:00

Rafael Lovato Jr. vs. Mike Rhodes

Round 1

Lovato Jr. goes with a kick to the chest, but Rhodes blocks it. Rhodes throws a combo and connects with a straight right hand. A Rhodes jab counters a Lovato leg kick. Lovato lands a body kick and changes levels for a takedown. Lovato takes Rhodes’ back in a scramble and he locks in a rear-naked choke near the fence. He gets Rhodes down and locks in the maneuver. Rhodes writhes in desperation to escape but Lovato sinks in the choke and forces the tapout.

The Result

Rafael Lovato Jr. def. Mike Rhodes via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:59

Steve Garcia vs. Joe Warren

Round 1

Garcia lands a couple left hands early, and Warren changes levels and dumps his foe to the mat. “The Baddest Man on the Planet” is in his opponent’s full guard, and Garcia is trying to land elbows from his back. Warren maintains heavy top pressure, landing short punches to the ribs and hammerfists to the head. Warren continues to mix up his ground-and-pound, landing right hands to the ribs and dropping elbows. Garcia stands in attempt to escape but gives up his back in the process. Warren with a rear body lock, and Garcia uses elbows to the forearm to try and break his foe’s grip. Warren’s grip is tenacious, however, and he lands a knee as they separate once the horn sounds. 10-9 Warren.

Round 2

Garcia misses a combination and Warren capitalizes by snatching a single-leg. Garcia tries to fend him off with elbows but Warren won’t be denied. Garcia manages to stand, but we’re back where we were in round one, with Warren applying pressure from a rear body lock. A cut appears to be open at the bridge of Warren’s nose. Unfazed, Warren trips his man to the floor. Garcia is stacked on his head with his legs up against the fence, and Warren lands some ground and pound. The New Mexican works his way up, but Warren maintains his grip. Warren lands some knees to the back of the thigh and tries to trip his opponent’s legs. Garcia is still upright, but he’s not mounting any offense. Warren stays busy with knees to the thigh. Garcia tries to separate but Warren just rides him around the cage. Garcia goes back to the elbows to the forearm, but Warren hangs on for dear life. Garcia grabs a standing kimura and drops to his back. Warren is in no real danger and escapes at the end of the round. 10-9 Warren.

Round 3

Garcia presses forward with a combination and a high kick. Warren clinches and secures another takedown near the fence. Now Warren is inside Garcia’s full guard. “Mean Machine” tries to power back up but Warren is relentless. Warren is heavy on top, occasionally posturing up and landing punches. Warren drives a pair of short elbows to Garcia’s mug. Now the wrestler lands a pair of elbows to the ribs as Garcia attempts to sweep. Garcia keeps Warren tight with a body triangle from his back, but Warren continues his suffocating top pressure. The crowd is getting restless, but there is no threat of a referee standup with 1:00 to go. Warren is just active enough with punches and short elbows from above to keep his position. The workmanlike performance continues to the final horn, and Warren should cruise to a clear-cut decision. 10-9 Warren (30-27 Warren).

The Result

Joe Warren def. Steve Garcia via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Emily Ducote vs. Jessica Middleton

Round 1

Middleton lands a two-punch combination and continues to move forward. Ducote ties up for a takedown and Middleton lands a short elbow. Ducote shoves Middleton’s back into the cage. Middleton lands a couple knees to the midsection and then jumps guard for a guillotine. She lets go and the combatants scramble to their feet. Ducote continues to have control in the clinch but it’s Middleton landing knees to the midsection. Ducote looks to trip Middleton to the mat but gives up on that idea. Ducote transitions to a single leg and gets Middleton down. She can’t Middleton down for long, but she remains committed to the takedown with a little more than a minute left. Middleton lands some hammerfists and elbows to the side of the head before a determined Ducote lands the takedown. Ducote is in Middleton’s full guard now, but after a period of inactivity a standup is ordered. Middleton rushes forward with strikes and Ducote clinches as time expires. 10-9 Middleton.

Round 2

Middleton grazes Ducote with a high kick. Middleton lands a three-punch combination and is met by a left hook to the jaw from Ducote. Middleton presses forward and is taken down in the center of the cage for her efforts. Ducote passes from full guard to side control to full mount but Middleton executes a quick reversal to end up on top in her opponent’s full guard. Middleton traps Ducote’s left arm with her knee and lands punches with her right hand. Middleton finds space to land some elbows, but it allows Ducote to frame a potential armbar. Ducote executes a sweep and she’s looking to extend Middleton’s arm. Middleton is out of danger but Ducote is still holding on to the arm. Middleton postures up and lands a couple hammerfists before the round ends. 10-9 Ducote.

Round 3

Middleton moves forward with a wide right hook. Middleton overcommits on a straight right, allowing Ducote to change levels and secure a trip takedown. Ducote sets up in half guard, and she’s working to pass. Ducote eventually passes to side control and moves to full mount as Middleton attempts to bridge escape. Middleton recaptures half guard briefly but Ducote regains full mount. Middleton gives up her back, and Ducote is hunting for the rear-naked choke. Ducote doesn’t have her arm under the chin of her opponent, but she still has more than a minute to work. Middleton breaks the hold, but Ducote remains attached to her back. Middleton escapes back control but gets trapped in an armbar. Ducote goes belly down, but Middleton survives until the final bell. 10-9 Ducote (29-28 Ducote).

The Result

Emily Ducote def. Jessica Middleton via Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Kendall Grove vs. John Salter

Round 1

Salter focuses on low kicks in the early going. Salter blocks a high kick from Grove. Grove looks to find the range as Salter continues to chip away with leg kicks. Grove just misses on a head kick. Salter steps in a misses a right hand. Grove moves in range and lands a straight right hand. Salter times a Grove right hook and shoots, getting Grove down near the fence with a double leg. He transitions to his opponent’s back and gets both hooks in. He unloads a series of right hands to the head and that offense allows Salter to slide his arm under Grove’s chin and squeeze. Moments later, Grove is forced to tap out.

The Result

John Salter def. Kendall Grove via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:37

Brandon Girtz vs. Derek Campos

Round 1

The rivals touch gloves and the rubber match is underway. Campos ducks under a big right hand but eats a body kick from Girtz. Girtz goes inside and lands a knee to the body. Both fighers are throwing power punches in exchanges early. Campos hunts down Girtz and lands a hook. Girtz is loading up on his right hand consistently. Girtz lands a kick to the body and catches Campos with a right hook over the top. Campos knocks Girz off balance with a right hook. Girtz continues to find a home for the rear kick to the body. Campos flurries and lands a combination while Girtz swings wildly with his back to the fence. He finally circles away and resets for another liver kick. They trade heavy right hands. Girtz catches a high kick and a furious exchange ensues. A right hand over the top appears to stun Campos. Girtz ups his aggression and lands a takedown. Girtz is gushing blood from the center of his forehead due to a knee from Campos as they stand. Another right hand lands for Girtz. Girtz follows a body kick with a left hook to the body. 10-9 Girtz.

Round 2

Girtz comes out swinging wildly, but isn’t landing much. Girtz does find a home for another body kick, however. Girtz digs a left hook to the ribs. Campos moves forward and tees off with a combination. Girtz face is covered in blood, but that doesn’t stop him from landing another liver kick. A right hook sends Campos stumbling backward and he gets aggressive. A Campos counter sends Girtz stumbling backward and they exchange near the fence. Girtz continues to throw with ill intent. But Campos backs him up into the fence. They both tee off with power punches. Plenty land, but both men remain upright. “Big” John McCarthy calls time so a doctor can examine the cut. He’s cleared and the action resumes. Girtz changes levels for a takedown, but Campos stuffs it. Campos comes forward with a combination only to eat an uppercut followed by a left hand from Girtz. Campos lands a knee down the middle and is knocked off balance by a right hook over the top. Campos lands a straight right before the round ends. Although Girtz was cleared to continue during the frame, the bout is halted due to the gash on his forehead at the conclusion of the period, giving Campos an anticlimactic victory in the rubber match.

The Result

Derek Campos def. Brandon Girtz via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R2 5:00