Bellator 284 ‘Gracie vs. Yamauchi’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Mitchell McKee (135) vs. Tony Ortega (134.6)

Round 1

Bobby Wombacher is your referee for the first professional bout of the evening. McKee immediately gets a takedown and is able to quickly shift into side control. During a scramble, McKee tightens in a brabo choke. Ortega escapes to his feet but gets taken down for a second time. The round ends with McKee in full control. 10-9 McKee.

Round 2

McKee is able to get Ortega on the ground yet again to start the second frame. McKee takes the back and looks for a rear-naked choke. Ortega gets flattened out and McKee throws hard punches to the head until the fight is stopped.

The Official Result

Mitchell McKee def. Tony Ortega via TKO (Punches); R1, 1:28.

Bailey Schoenfelder (227.8) vs. Mark Currier (260.6)

Round 1

Bobby Wombacher is once again your referee. Schoenfelder rocks the slow-moving Currier with an uppercut. Currier walks into a right hand and is getting pieced up. They begin brawling, which allows Currier to land a few heavy punches. Schoenfelder backs up and is able to land effectively from a distance. A heavy leg kick by Currier lands. He goes for another kick and eats a right hand as a result. Schoenfelder gets a takedown and then takes the back of Currier. A heavy-breathing Currier gets back to his feet and throws some labored punches. Schoenfelder's nose is bloodied, but he gets another takedown. Schoenfelder takes the back again before transitioning to side control. Currier escapes trouble and lands a nice right hand on the feet. Schoenfelder is eating shots, but the left eye of Currier is about closed. The round ends with Schoenfelder getting another takedown and looking for a Von Flue choke. 10-9 Schoenfelder.

Round 2

After trading on the feet, Schoenfelder gets another takedown. He takes the back of Currier and begins landing punches. Currier turns, putting Schoenfelder in mount. After landing a few damaging blows, Schoenfelder takes the back and sinks in a rear-naked choke that forces Currier to tap.

The Official Result

Bailey Schoenfelder def. Mark Currier via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke); R2, 2:35.

Isaiah Hokit (154) vs. Nick Perez (157.4: Missed Weight)

Hokit-Perez has been scratched from the Bellator 284 lineup for currently unknown reasons.

Pat Downey (186) vs. Keyes Nelson (183.6)

Round 1

The middleweight bout will be refereed by Kevin MacDonald. Downey immediately wraps up Nelson and is able to get a takedown straight into side control. Downey locks in an arm-triangle choke and moves into mount. Nelson taps just seconds later.

The Official Result

Pat Downey def. Keyes Nelson via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke); R1, 0:36.

Sullivan Cauley (205.4) vs. Tyson Jeffries (201.8)

Round 1

Ref Bobby Wombacher returns for this light heavyweight bout. Jeffries fails on a takedown and Cauley is controlling the center of the cage. Cauley is deep on a double leg takedown but the grip is broken. Cauley lands a heavy punch and throws a jumping knee that stuns Jeffries. Cauley lands two more standing knees that knock out Jeffries.

The Official Result

Sullivan Cauley def. Tyson Jeffries via KO (Knees); R1, 1:39.

DeAnna Bennett (125.2) vs. Justine Kish (128.4: Missed Weight)

Round 1

Our first women's mixed martial arts bout is refereed by Kevin MacDonald. Both women are feeling out the other on the feet in the opening minute. Both land solid leg kicks with Bennett in the center of the cage. Kish engages in dirty boxing and lands several punches before going for a takedown. Bennett stays upright but Kish is looking for a standing arm-triangle choke before giving that up. Bennett gets a single-leg takedown and moves into mount. Bennett is throwing heavy punches as Kish fails to get into better position. Bennett gets the back momentarily but Kish gets back to the feet as the round ends. 10-9 Bennett.

Round 2

The second frame starts out slowly on the feet with Bennett landing some solid leg kicks. Kish lands some strikes at a distance but is never putting her opponent in danger. A lot of circling and following each other. Bennett lands a standing knee. Bennett is slightly more aggressive but walks into a hook by Kish, who is having success countering her opponent as she comes into range. The timid round ends with Bennett landing a few punches. Very close round that could go either way, but Kish landed the harder punches. 10-9 Kish.

Round 3

Bennett is walking down Kish early and it's clear she wants a takedown. Bennett drops down for a single-leg takedown and Kish is defending well. Bennett can't keep her down and eventually both women are pulled to the floor with Kish looking for a submission before both women get back up. 90 seconds left and nothing has really happened besides a bunch of takedown attempts that didn't land. Both women are circling and Kish is taunting her opponent rather than punching. Kish lands a solid right hand and lands an overhand right as Bennett goes in for a high kick. Kish punches the air and so does Bennett as neither fighter is in range. The last 10 seconds sees the two brawl and Kish gets cut over her left eye. 10-9 Kish, so 29-28 Kish on my scorecard, but neither fighter did much to earn that final round.

The Official Result

DeAnna Bennett def. Justine Kish via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28); R3. 5:00.

Josh Hill (135.8) vs. Marcos Breno (136)

Round 1

Bobby Wombacher will oversee the final bantamweight bout tonight. Breno immediately hurts Hill with a right hand. A left hook to the body lands for Breno, who is staying aggressive. Breno throws a head kick and has bloodied the nose of Hill. Breno lands a nice combination of punches and continues to work the body. Hill goes for a takedown that is easily stuffed. Breno is still walking down his opponent, landing clean shots to the head and body. Hill has another takedown attempt stuffed. Hill lands a solid leg kick and lands a solid overhand right to end the round. 10-9 Breno.

Round 2

Breno continues his pressure approach in Round 2. Hill is looking for leg kicks but is getting backed up against the cage and eating punches. Hill throws a spinning back fist. Hill lands a solid leg kick and is having a much better round here. That being said, Breno is still in control despite lowering his output significantly. Breno gets a takedown with two minutes left in the round. Breno moves into side control and is landing small punches. Hill regains guard and is able to survive but now needs a finish. 10-9 Breno.

Round 3

Hill opens with a solid leg kick and follows it up with swinging left and right hooks. Breno is getting backed up for the first time in the fight before answering with his own leg kick. Hill lands a nice left hook. Breno is still a bit hesitant on the feet compared to earlier. Catching Hill after a combination, Breno lands a bit left uppercut that hurts his foe. Breno is just a level above Hill, even in a round with all of Hill's best work. Breno goes back to the body with a left hook. Hill is able to stuff a Breno takedown and puts his opponent on his back. Hill postures up with 20 seconds left and lands a few punches, then a solid knee as Breno gets up. Hill lands a spinning back fist to end the round. Hill edges this out 10-9 but clearly lost a 29-28 decision to Breno.

The Official Result

Marcos Breno def. Josh Hill via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28); R3, 5:00.

Austin Vanderford (184.4) vs. Aaron Jeffery (185)

Round 1

Bobby Wombacher is the ref for the first main card contest. Vanderford gets dropped immediately by a right hook from Jeffery but is able to compose himself after grappling and going for a takedown. The fight moves to the clinch and Vanderford begins throwing knees to the body. Jeffery avoids the takedown and then floors Vanderford again with a right hook. Jeffery is raining down hammerfists and the fight is stopped.

The Official Result

Aaron Jeffery def. Austin Vanderford via TKO (Punches); R1, 1:25.

Said Sowma (243.3) vs. Gokhan Saricam (248.2)

Round 1

The first heavyweight bout on the main card will be overseen by Kevin MacDonald. Saricam is beating Sowma to the punch early and is landing solid jabs. Sowma begins landing thudding leg kicks. Saricam lands a straight right hand to the body. Really slow start for Sowma, who hasn't landed any punches of note. Saricam rushing forward with punches but mostly missing his mark. A left hand knocks Sowma off balance and Saricam gets a takedown before getting sloppy and being reversed. Sowma lands a few kicks while standing before going into guard. Sowma is unable to land any punches and Saricam scrambles to his knees. Sowma lands a knee to the leg of Saricam as the round ends. 10-9 Saricam.

Round 2

The two heavyweights grapple against the cage, unable to best each other. Sowma gets the back while standing and lands a few knees. Sowma then lifts Saricam and puts him on the ground. Saricam scrambles to his feet and eats a few knees to the leg. The two enter a stalemate against the cage before separating a minute later. A nice right hand lands for Saricam, who follows it up with an accurate jab. The two begin trading jabs and leg kicks before the round expires. 10-9 Sowma.

Round 3

Sowma opens up the round by landing leg kicks. Neither fighter showing any urgency or desire to finish the fight. Both Sowma and Saricam landing single shots, never throwing in combination. The two grapple against the fence again. Saricam lands a few knees but gets turned around with his back against the cage. Sowma lands a solid body kick. Saricam answers with two jabs. The two begin wildly throwing with 30 seconds left with Saricam landing a bit more and knocking Sowma off balance temporarily. 10-9 Saricam, who should take this lousy fight 29-28.

The Official Result

Gokhan Saricam def. Said Sowma via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28); R3, 5:00.

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (129: Missed Weight) vs. Bruna Ellen (125.6)

Round 1

Jason Herzog will oversee the lone women's bout on the main card. Ellen opens up by beating Macfarlane to the punch and landing a straight right hand. Lots of circling. Ellen goes over the top with a left hook that is partially blocked. Macfarlane lands a solid right hand and rushes forward with punches that come up short. Ellen is doing a good job of throwing multiple punches rather than single shots and is initializing the exchanges. Macfarlane lands a nice 1-2 combo, then whiffs with the same punches seconds later. Macfarlane is growing more aggressive and lands a solid right hook. Macfarlane goes for a takedown with 45 seconds left and gets the takedown with two seconds left. The late surge makes the round 10-9 Macfarlane.

Round 2

Macfarlane starts off the second frame by coming forward and throwing punches. Macfarlane goes for another takedown and puts Ellen against the cage. Ellen escapes with a little over three minutes left in the round. Macfarlane is more accurate with her strikes and is touching Ellen, who is missing punches by wildly swinging. Simple combinations are working well for Macfarlane, showing how essential the basics and proper technique are. A right hand from Macfarlane backs up Ellen. A head kick from Ellen misses. Macfarlane is continuing to pressure Ellen and sends her head back with a straight right hand. Macfarlane goes for a takedown but winds up pulling Ellen on top of her instead. Ellen almost gets the back but gets reversed and put into guard instead. The round expires with Ellen unable to mount any offense off her back. A clear 10-9 for Macfarlane.

Round 3

Macfarlane gets a takedown to start the third round. Ellen gets her back against the cage and gets back up before Macfarlane can do anything. Ellen goes for a jumping guillotine to counter a Macfarlane takedown attempt. Ellen is cranking away and it looks tight. Macfarlane gives a thumbs up to the referee and weakly punches Ellen. Macfarlane gives another thumbs up but can't escape. Macfarlane starts using the cage to elevate herself and Ellen is forced to let go with 90 seconds left after a shoulder choke attempt. Macfarlane postures up and lands a few elbows with 30 seconds left. A few glancing punches thrown by Macfarlane as the round ends. The third frame goes to Ellen, but it seems to be too little, too late. 10-9 Ellen, 29-28 Macfarlane.

The Official Result

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Bruna Ellen via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27); R3, 5:00.

Valentin Moldavsky (238.2) vs. Steve Mowry (249.8)

Round 1

Kevin MacDonald will oversee the co-main event. An eye poke occurs early to Mowry so the fight is paused. Mowry is having difficulty regaining his vision. The doctor comes in and the fight is waved off as Mowry can't see out of his right eye. This one is over before it can really begin due to Moldavsky's inability to keep his fingers closed.

The Official Result

Steve Mowry vs. Valentin Moldavsky declared a no contest due to an accidental eye poke at 0:54 of Round 1.

Neiman Gracie (170.4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (170)

Round 1

Jason Herzog is your main event referee. Gracie goes over the guard of Yamauchi with a right hand to land first. Gracie is the aggressor and the two clinch. Yamauchi is able to break free and lands a solid overhand left. Yamauchi throws a head kick that is blocked and Gracie begins pumping out his jab. Yamauchi stuns Gracie with a right hand and gets a takedown. Yamauchi is in side control and lands a few elbows before Gracie gets back to his feet. An overhand left from Yamauchi lands cleanly. Gracie recomposes himself by the end of the round but clearly drops it. 10-9 Yamauchi.

Round 2

Yamauchi is the aggressor early. Gracie flops to the floor, inviting Yamauchi into his guard. Yamauchi lands a few leg kicks. Gracie gets up and Yamauchi fires off several kicks to the body. Gracie looks for his jab once again but can't get past the guard reliably. Gracie backs up Yamauchi and clinches. Yamauchi throws a willing Gracie to the ground but doesn't entice his opponent into his world. Gracie gets back up and starts throwing punches. Yamauchi drops his guard and allows Gracie to land. Gracie recklessly comes forward and counters with a perfect uppercut that folds his opponent. A perfect bait and switch by Yamauchi finishes his opponent.

The Official Result

Goiti Yamauchi def. Neiman Gracie via KO (Punch); R2, 3:58.