Bellator ‘Chandler vs. Alvarez II’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Darren Smith vs. Josh Smith

Round 1

Herb Dean is the referee for tonight’s opening lightweight bout. Darren Smith catches a kick from Josh and trips him to the ground, but Josh is right back up and briefly presses his opponent against the fence before backing away. Darren hits a takedown and passes immediately to side control on the right as he works Josh toward the fence. Josh posts and stands, then uses a trip to the fight back on the ground, but Darren sweeps and escapes to his feet. Darren rushes his man against the cage with a flurry of punches, then scores another takedown, this time into Josh’s open guard. Josh elevates and gets back up before attacking with punches. Darren is backed up against the cage, then comes forward and drops Josh with a left hook on the chin. Darren tries to pounce and finish off the fight with ground-and-pound, but he can’t and instead settles for spending most of the closing 30 seconds in Josh’s guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Darren Smith
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Darren Smith
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Darren Smith

Round 2

Darren lands another hard left hook in the early moments of round two, before being tossed to the ground. Josh can’t hold him there, and Darren gets up to throw Josh to the ground and then gets to work from guard with sporadic, short punches. Josh scrambles to his feet and has his back taken, then tries to throw elbows over his shoulder. Josh succeeds in turning around but is still muscled against the fence, though he denies Darren’s next double-leg attempt. Josh thwarts another takedown try and hits one of his own, landing on top in Darren’s half-guard to drop a few hard elbows. Josh passes to side control and lays his forearm across Darren’s throat, then lands a couple more elbows and forearms from the knee-on-belly position.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Josh Smith
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Josh Smith
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Josh Smith

Round 3

Darren opens up with kicks to the body and legs, then stuffs a shot and counters with one of his own, landing an uppercut on the break. Darren catches a kick, can’t sweep the leg and settles for holding Josh against the cage with an underhook. Josh turns it around and lands a takedown with just over three minutes remaining in the fight. Not much action on the ground as Darren ties up from underneath, trying to walk up the cage while Josh tries to posture up and strike. Down to the final minute now, and Josh is finally scoring with left hands to the temple, using his forearm to grind on Darren’s face and throat.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Josh Smith (29-28 Josh Smith)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Josh Smith (29-28 Josh Smith)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Josh Smith (29-28 Josh Smith)

The Official Result

Josh Smith def. Darren Smith via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Joe Camacho vs. Cleber Luciano

Round 1

Luciano shoots a double-leg and gets stood up, then shoves Camacho against the cage and completes the takedown. It’s side control for Luciano on Camacho’s right side, landing very short left hands as he looks to pass to mount. Camacho puts Luciano in half-guard, causing the action to slow and referee John McCarthy to call for action two minutes into the fight. Camacho has Luciano in guard now, pushing off the fence with his feet and looking to sweep. Luciano thwarts the sweep and again passes to side control, then tries to step into full mount but is halted by the fence. Luciano is getting busy with his ground-and-pound now, still not looking too damaging but landing punches and elbows to the body and head at will.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Luciano
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Luciano
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Luciano

Round 2

Luciano ducks a punch and drives Camacho back to the ground, this time getting caught in Camacho’s closed guard. There’s not much action through the first half of the round, with Camacho trying to control Luciano’s wrists as the Brazilian throws the occasional punch and looks to pass. Luciano does get to side control on the right side midway through the round, goes briefly to north-south position and then back to side control, where he starts landing elbows. Luciano takes full mount with one minute to go, then postures up and begins wailing away with both hands at the 10-second clapper. Camacho rolls and gives up his back just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Luciano
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Luciano
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Luciano

Round 3

The grapplers stay standing for the first 60 seconds of the final round, with Luciano landing a couple leg kicks before ducking another punch and again driving Camacho to the ground. Camacho gets to his knees; Luciano climbs on and briefly establishes his hooks before Camacho flips over and puts his back to the canvas. Camacho lands an elbow from underneath and cuts Luciano above the right eye, but this only seems to irritate Luciano, who starts bashing away with short left hands as Camacho gets to his knees.

Camacho stands with about 90 seconds to go and is immediately taken back to the floor, where Luciano sets up in north-south position and throws lefts to the body. Camacho tries to wall-walk and winds up on his knees, then on his back, where Luciano mounts to finish the fight.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Luciano (30-27 Luciano)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Luciano (30-27 Luciano)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Luciano (30-27 Luciano)

The Official Result

Cleber Luciano def. Joe Camacho via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Mike Guymon vs. Aaron Miller

Round 1

Miller looks to paw his way into range with jabs early on, while Guymon swings and misses with a couple head kicks. Guymon gets inside on a shot, can’t finish it and instead puts Miller against the fence. Miller reverses and trips Guymon to the ground at the base of the cage. Guymon gets back to his feet and holds Miller on the cage for a few seconds before a knee hits Guymon in the groin and “The Joker” falls to the ground in agony. Guymon takes a few minutes to recover before getting back to business and being taken down. Miller gets to full mount, then sinks in both hooks as Guymon turns to give up his back. The lightweights are sat against the fence, Guymon using wrist control and punching over his shoulder to try and fend off the impending rear-naked choke attempt. Guymon rolls over, shakes off Miller’s hooks and gets to his feet, but Miller stays glued to him and takes Guymon back to the floor. Guymon drives forward, looking for a takedown of his own which he can’t complete before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Miller
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Miller
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Miller

Round 2

Guymon wraps up Miller by the waist and pulls him to the ground after a struggle, but Miller is immediately back on his feet. Now it’s Miller on the outside, pushing Guymon against the fence. Guymon reverses and lands a couple hard right hands to the body before putting Miller on the floor.

Guymon has his left hook in but can’t get around Miller’s back, which is pressed against the fence. Miller turns and pushes Guymon to the floor, and Guymon throws up his legs to attempt a triangle choke. Miller steps over and pulls his right arm free of an omoplata, then passes to north-south position and tries a kimura. Guymon pulls his arm out and sweeps with a kimura attempt of his own, so Miller comes over the top and looks for an armbar. The chain submissions continue as Guymon throws up another triangle, and this one sticks, forcing Miller to tap out.

The Official Result

Michael Guymon def. Aaron Miller via Submission (Triangle Choke) R2 4:20

Brandon Halsey vs. Hector Ramirez

Round 1

In just seconds after the opening bell tolls, Halsey gets a quick takedown and puts Ramirez belly-down in the center of the cage. He steps right into back mount and sinks both hooks in. Halsey crushes Ramirez down into the canvas and then starts hammering away. Hard right hands connect to Ramirez’s temple, and the veteran is offering absolutely nothing in return. “Sick Dog” is unable to defend himself with his left arm pinned underneath himself. Referee John McCarthy quickly steps in to rescue Ramirez from any further damage.

The Official Result

Brandon Halsey def. Hector Ramirez via TKO (Punches) R1 0:52

Alejandro Garcia vs. Cristiano Souza

Round 1

The opening minute yields tentative striking as the fighters look to feel out the range, Souza with kicks and Garcia with punches. Garcia gets inside after about 90 seconds and tries a takedown, stuffed by Souza with the help of the fence. A couple short punches score for Garcia as he breaks away, and Souza answers with a chopping low kick. Garcia catches Souza coming in with a counter left hook, then pulls down the Brazilian’s head and scores with a knee up the middle. Garcia cocks his right hand and gets Souza to jump back a few steps. Souza comes back swinging wild punches which are ducked by Garcia. A body shot from Garcia is countered by a takedown from Souza with just over one minute remaining. Garcia wraps up from underneath and gets a quick stand-up order from ref Jason Herzog. Garcia blocks a kick and Souza falls to the ground, but the Brazilian pops right back up and connects with knees in the clinch, including one below the belt which sends Garcia to his knees as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Souza
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Garcia
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Garcia

Round 2

The second frame begins slowly as the first, with Souza leg-kick from the outside while Garcia waits to counter off his back foot. Garcia comes forward now, moving Souza clockwise around the outside but still not pulling the trigger. Garcia whiffs on a spinning back-fist, then changes levels for a double-leg as Souza comes in to close the gap. Souza stuffs it and sends a knee up the middle which lands to the cup and sends Garcia to the ground in a heap. Garcia rolls around for a minute, then stands and takes another 30 seconds before telling referee Herzog he’s ready to go. Garcia lands an outside leg kick, gets clipped by a right hook and wraps up Souza against the cage. Souza gets the Thai clinch and scores with knees to the head until Garcia puts a hand on the ground to avoid the strikes. Souza uses a headlock to pull Garcia to the ground, then gets a rear waistlock when Garcia stands up and uses it to control the action on the cage. Ref Herzog splits them up with 40 seconds left on the clock, and Garcia gets an immediate takedown. Before he can establish top control, Souza slips out the back and stands over his prone opponent, kicking at Garcia’s legs and finishing the round by diving to the ground with a big right hand.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Souza
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Souza
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Souza

Round 3

Garcia eats a leaping knee and connects with an overhand right counter, then waves Souza forward. Instead, Garcia charges ahead and gets clinched by Souza, who shoves him against the fence with an underhook.

They’re only clinched for a few moments before referee Herzog calls for action, and Souza obliges by pulling Garcia off the fence and down to the ground. Souza moves straight to full mount with more than 3:30 left in the bout, then sinks in both hooks as Garcia turns his back. Garcia is flat on his belly, absorbing punches from Souza. Now, Garcia gets to his knees, but Souza has a body-triangle locked on and sits up with him. Rear-naked choke attempt from Souza now; Garcia peels his hands away and they go to the ground. Souza goes for the RNC again, and this time he gets Garcia to submit.

The Official Result

Cristiano Souza def. Alejandro Garcia via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 3:06

Mike Richman vs. Akop Stepanyan

Round 1

The southpaw Richman creeps forward on his opponent, flicking out range-finding jabs and landing a couple outside leg kicks. Stepanyan whirls around with a spinning back-fist which just misses its mark. Richman lands a quick jab, eats a hard right hook on the cheek and slaps at Stepanyan’s body with a kick which draws a nod. Stepanyan is swinging murderous punches but not landing anything cleanly in the first half of the round.

Now cut above his right eye, Stepanyan cracks Richman with a left hook. Both fighters swing and connect with hard, short hooks in the pocket. Stepanyan grazes with a two-punch combination, then scores with a sizzling right hook which puts Richman on wobbly legs. Stepanyan smells blood and tries to close in with uppercuts and more hooks, but Richman stays calm and resets. Richman steps forward with a blistering left hook which sends Stepanyan to the ground, dazed. Referee Herb Dean steps in for the stoppage as Richman dives down with a double-handed chop, and Stepanyan immediately protests the stoppage.

The Official Result

Mike Richman def. Akop Stepanyan via TKO (Punches) R1 4:05

Fight Master Finale:
Mike Bronzoulis vs. Joe Riggs

Round 1

Bronzoulis opens up with a pair of inside leg kicks as the southpaws circle one another. Riggs answers with a leg kick of his own, answered by two from Bronzoulis, one inside and one outside. Riggs swings and misses on a pair of hard punches, and Bronzoulis stumbles as he sprints away. Another leg kick from Bronzoulis takes the lead leg out from underneath Riggs, who pops back up and eats another. Bronzoulis steps in and tries to throw knees up the center with the Thai plum, but he gets clipped by a hard right hand from Riggs and has to bail out. Riggs trips Bronzoulis to the ground from the tie-up and stacks “The Greek” against the cage. Bronzoulis turns and gives up his back, and Riggs leaps on to sink in a quick hook. Both hooks in for Riggs now as the welterweights lean against the cage, but Bronzoulis twists free and Riggs has to maneuver to stay on top. Now they’re in north-south position with Riggs throwing knees to Bronzoulis’ shoulder. Riggs throws punches and is warned to mind the back of the head, so he finishes out the round with a clean right hand on Bronzoulis’ temple.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Riggs
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Riggs
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Riggs

Round 2

Riggs gets a quick takedown, but Bronzoulis is able to get back to his feet this time. The 170-pounders continue fighting on the fence as Riggs comes up with a trickle of blood leaking from the outside corner of his left eye. Referee John McCarthy announces that the cut came from an accidental clash of heads. Bronzoulis creates some space momentarily, gets shoved against the fence and then breaks away. Bronzoulis stuffs a takedown attempt, but Riggs comes back to tie up and trip him to the ground. Riggs passes to side control, then takes Bronzoulis’ back and secures both hooks. Again, the fighters find themselves sitting against the fence with Riggs in back control. Riggs tries to soften up Bronzoulis with punches, but Bronzoulis gets off the fence and slips out the back door. Riggs winds up underneath with Bronzoulis in his open guard and less than one minute to go. Riggs keeps throwing up his legs, angling for an armbar, but can’t get anything to stick.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Riggs
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Riggs
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Riggs

Round 3

Bronzoulis comes forward, windmilling punches, but Riggs evades by stepping backward and then comes back to shove The Greek against the fence. Riggs elevates and slams Bronzoulis to the ground, then quickly moves to take back-control again. Bronzoulis is sat against the fence, defending the RNC and fighting off Riggs’ hands. With just over 60 seconds remaining, Bronzoulis stands up with Riggs still attached to his back. Referee McCarthy warns Bronzoulis not to grab the inside of Riggs’ gloves when defending the choke.

Riggs puts his right foot on the ground and pulls Bronzoulis back to the floor with 30 seconds left. Bronzoulis turns around to finish the fight on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Riggs (30-27 Riggs)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Riggs (30-27 Riggs)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Riggs (30-27 Riggs)

The Official Result

Joe Riggs def. Mike Bronzoulis via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Featherweight Title Fight:
Pat Curran vs. Daniel Straus

Round 1

Jason Herzog is the referee for the first of tonight’s three Bellator title fights. Straus takes about 30 seconds to work his way into range, shoot and take Curran to the ground at the base of the fence. Curran posts up and is back on his feet 30 seconds later. The featherweights move to the middle of the cage, where Straus backs Curran away with some hard kicks to the body. They exchange leg kicks, and Curran’s strays low, prompting referee Herzog to pause the action. Straus takes just a few seconds to regain his composure, and the fight resumes. Straus presses Curran against the cage, but Curran won’t stay there and circles out to land a leg kick which nearly chops out Straus’ lead leg. Straus jumps in with a one-two and then ankle-picks Curran to the ground near the fence again. Curran stands and jogs away, then resets to send a pair of punches down the pipe at the end of the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Straus
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Straus

Round 2

Straus gets in on a leg but can’t take Curran to the ground to start round two. Neither featherweight is coming up with much in the way of clean strikes through the first two minutes of the round. Straus has a high kick blocked, and punches go off the arms of Curran, who is laying back, seemingly waiting to counter. Curran scores with two punches, defends well as Straus pulls the Thai clinch, and exits with a hard hook to Straus’ body. Curran tries to go up top with a high kick, blocked by Straus, who doesn’t do much better with his attempt. Straus wants to clinch, gets elbowed and shoved away by the champion. Curran connects with a left hook, answered by one from Straus, though Straus’ follow-up offense is deflected by Curran’s arms.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Curran
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Curran
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Curran

Round 3

Curran scores a hard leg-kick counter to a punch from Straus, but the challenger sticks another jab in his face and then comes in behind it to try a double-leg against the fence. Curran widens his legs and defends with his back to the fence, so Straus changes to a body-lock. Straus can’t get the takedown there either and instead holds Curran on the fence for a moment before dumping the champion on his head with a throw. Curran hops up instantly, but Straus hits the same toss seconds later. This time, Curran stands and delivers a hard knee to the kneeling Straus’ face. Curran covers his face immediately, clearly aware that he made a mistake, while referee Herzog tends to the dazed Straus. The doctor clears Straus to continue, Herzog deducts a point from Curran, and the fight gets going again after a few minutes. Straus hits a quick takedown and keeps Curran on the floor for the remainder of the round, passing to side control just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Straus
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-8 Straus
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Straus

Round 4

Straus ties up and tries to trip Curran to the ground, can’t get it and instead keeps the overhook to muscle the champion against the cage. Straus moves to the rear-waist cinch and, after 30 seconds of struggling, lifts Curran into the air for a big slam. Curran is keeping tight on his knees, not allowing Straus to get his hooks in, and now the champ gets to his feet. Straus keeps hold of his opponent and changes levels midway through the round to put Curran on the mat. Curran tries a guillotine but Straus’ neck is exposed on the left side, and he eventually pulls his head loose. Straus spends the remainder of the round posturing up to drop elbows on Curran, opening up a cut on the champion’s forehead.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Straus
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Straus

Round 5

Straus sticks a jab in Curran’s face before leaping into range with a one-two. Curran backs him off with a left hook, but Straus comes back with a left hook which is ducked by Curran.

A pair of big leaping knees from Straus appears to go off Curran’s arms. Straus strikes with a left hook on temple that momentarily unbalances Curran, though the champ stays on his feet. Straus digs an underhook and pushes Curran against the cage with just under three minutes to go in the fight. Straus smiles and gives a thumbs-up to his corner as the fighters pick at each other with little punches in the clinch. Curran turns Straus around with seconds left to go, but it’s Straus who hits a takedown and finishes the fight on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Straus (49-45 Straus)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Straus (49-45 Straus)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Straus (49-45 Straus)

The Official Result

Daniel Straus def. Pat Curran via Unanimous Decision (49-45, 48-46, 48-46) R5 5:00

Light Heavyweight Interim Title Fight: Muhammed Lawal vs. Emanuel Newton

Round 1

Herb Dean is the referee for this title fight. Newton goes to the outside, pawing with jabs as he switches between orthodox and southpaw stance. Lawal takes 40 seconds before shooting in and taking Newton to the ground against the cage. Newton gets to his feet but his right arm is pinned behind his back, allowing Lawal to score with some short left hands. Newton tries to spin off the fence and gets pulled back and taken down again. Newton eats several right hands from Lawal as they scramble up, then lands a kick to the cup. Lawal takes a few seconds to recover and, when action resumes, hits a powerful double-leg takedown. Lawal connects with short left hands, then a knee to the chest as Newton gets to his feet. Lawal spends the remainder of the round waiting outside of Newton’s range, mugging with his hands by his waist.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawal
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lawal
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lawal

Round 2

Lawal scores with a short left hook and continues to wait outside of Newton’s range, looking to counter. Newton gets a big overhand right to partially connect, but pulls up short on many other punches. After about 90 seconds, Lawal closes the distance and gets a takedown. Newton gets to his knees and drives forward until he’s able to get to his feet. A left high kick slaps Lawal’s jaw and “King Mo” wobbles backward, sending Newton into finish mode. Lawal absorbs a few punches but seems to have regained his footing 20 seconds later, as he slips a punch. Newton stuffs the next takedown attempt from Lawal, and both men land jabs in close quarters. Newton backs up to the fence and gets grazed by an overhand right. Newton thuds a right kick off Lawal’s body and then sticks a jab as he comes forward, and the light heavyweights finish the round circling.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Newton
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton

Round 3

Newton is hunting for a big kick as round three begins but has to settle for a few to Lawal’s legs. A right hand over the top lands for Newton as he moves around the outside, Lawal striking from a foot away. A spinning back-kick misses for Newton, and Lawal comes in to pump jabs in the titlist’s face. Newton is bleeding from his nose and sporting some damage beneath his right eye. Nonetheless, he continues to kick at Lawal’s body and force the former Strikeforce champ to block hard punches down the middle. Newton puts a spinning kick on the left side of Lawal’s body and lands a left hand before circling out. Lawal closes the gap again, loading up with his hand but not unloading. Lawal shoots a double-leg with 60 seconds left, sprawled on against the fence by Newton, who holds a guillotine until Lawal releases. Lawal is looking fatigued as the round ends, just evading and blocking Newton’s offense and not offering anything in return.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Newton
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton

Round 4

Newton stalks around the perimeter, still looking for a kick and connecting with a few to King Mo’s body. Lawal answers with a hard right hand, then dodges a kick up top and smiles at Newton. “The Hardcore Kid” is hunting now despite being on his back foot, his hands hanging low as he looks for an opening. Lawal dives for a takedown after Newton misses a spinning kick, but Newton stands him up. Another shot from Lawal is denied, and the wrestler ducks a kick. The next takedown attempt from Lawal is successful, though Newton is soon back on his feet. They separate with 90 seconds left and Newton sticks a jab in Lawal’s grill. Newton nearly catches Lawal with a kick as Mo leans over. An uppercut gets through for Newton, who sidesteps and makes Lawal miss with a lunging right hand. Newton keeps jabbing at Lawal’s gloves and has a kick go off his arms before the end of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Newton
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton

Round 5

Both men are throwing to begin the final round, but both are also blocking and sidestepping to avoid the other’s offense. Lawal lands the first big shot of the round with a left straight that bursts the mouse beneath Newton’s right eye.

Lawal ducks a spinning kick and uses a single-leg to rush Newton against the fence, but he can’t finish the takedown. Newton sends a few front kicks up the middle, off the gloves of Lawal, and then lands a short left hook on the chin. Two minutes left in the fight and Lawal pops Newton with a hook, answered by a body shot. Newton sticks a combination, puts an awkward thigh kick somewhere around Lawal’s thighs and then defends a shot. Lawal keeps after the double-leg and finishes it against the cage with 30 seconds to go. Newton stands 15 seconds later and shoves Lawal away, and it’s Lawal sprawling on the last
shot of the bout.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lawal (48-47 Newton)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Lawal (48-47 Newton)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lawal (48-47 Newton)

The Official Result

Emanuel Newton def. Muhammed Lawal via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) R5 5:00

Lightweight Title Fight:
Michael Chandler vs. Eddie Alvarez

Round 1

Both lightweights graze with hard punches in their initial exchange, and Chandler comes away wiping at his right eye. Alvarez stays on the outside, then comes lunging forward with long punches which Chandler sidesteps with his hands by his waist. Alvarez changes levels as Chandler moves in with tight punches, but Chandler snuffs it out and circles away. Alvarez sticks a jab in the already reddened face of Chandler, circles out to the right. Good movement from Alvarez as he jogs away from a combination. Chandler follows him and puts a hook on Alvarez’s forehead, keeps coming and lands a body kick. Alvarez counters with a left hook and continues to cut angles, but Chandler closes in and rocks Alvarez’s head with an uppercut. Alvarez tries a quick takedown, can’t get it, moves to the outside and snaps back Chandler’s head with a stiff straight punch. Chandler catches a kick and pulls Alvarez to the ground. Alvarez stands and gets dumped on his head, then has to fight out of a rear-naked choke attempt with less than one minute to go in the round. Alvarez scrambles up, the fighters accidentally clash heads and Alvarez shoots a takedown. Chandler stuffs the shot, but he slips on a kick just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Alvarez

Round 2

Chandler steps in with a hard right straight, follows up with a short left hook and eats a counter right. Alvarez is sporting a cut underneath his left eye but is still moving fluidly and actively as he makes Chandler chase him around the outside. Alvarez sticks a jab, moves around, sticks another. He ducks as Chandler loads up to throw, then pops up and double-pumps a jab in Chandler’s face. Alvarez keeps the jabs coming and sprawls on a takedown attempt, but now Chandler is using his jab as well, matching Alvarez’s punches and rocking his head. Chandler closes in and slams Alvarez to the canvas, then does it again. Both guys are bleeding from underneath their left eyes now, though Chandler’s looks worse with some serious swelling to go along with it. Referee tells the fighters to get busy as Chandler holds Alvarez against the fence. Alvarez gets up on his own and lands a nifty three-punch combination which draws an exaggerated wobble from the champ. Chandler hits another takedown and grinds on Alvarez throat and face with his forearm and elbows in the last half minute.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Chandler

Round 3

Chandler clubs Alvarez with a right hand in a wild exchange, but Alvarez comes back to score with a body kick and a hard right behind it. Chandler shoots in and is sprawled all over by Alvarez, who takes the opportunity to grab a headlock and thud Chandler’s body with short punches. Chandler breaks away and now it’s Alvarez on the outside, moving in to throw a three-piece combo to the champion’s body. Alvarez stuffs another takedown and continues feeding Chandler quick punches. Chandler shoots again, nearly gets Alvarez down, but the Philadelphian widens his base against the cage and keeps Chandler at bay. Chandler tries a single leg, can’t get it and drops his hands to his waist with a deep breath. Alvarez stuffs another shot, this time mashing Chandler’s face with his hand until the wrestler lets go. A left straight rocks Chandler’s head back, and he comes forward with a pair of punches which land on Alvarez’s chin but yield no discernible effect. Alvarez grazes with a spinning back-fist and lets Chandler off the cage. Chandler closes in and dumps Alvarez to the ground, then tries to jump on him with a rear-naked choke attempt. Alvarez fends it off and gets to his feet, but Chandler completes one more takedown to finish the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alvarez
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Alvarez

Round 4

The cageside physician takes a close look at Chandler between rounds but eventually clears the champion to come out for the start of the championship rounds. Alvarez shoots a takedown, can’t finish and keeps Chandler on the fence. Chandler gets off by leaping at Alvarez with a clean flying knee, and now Alvarez is on his bicycle. Chandler shoots, gets sprawled on, but keeps after it and pulls Alvarez to the floor with the use of a headlock. Both fighters’ faces are streaked with blood, mostly Chandler’s as he leaks onto the grounded Alvarez. Chandler postures up and clubs Alvarez with thunderous ground-and-point, first punches and then elbows. Alvarez is busted open and looking tired with half the round left to go. Chandler briefly pins Alvarez’s arm behind his back, then releases and socks Alvarez with a right hand before he can block. Alvarez is offering some offense from his back, but he’s just being washed out and overwhelmed by the wrestler’s top control. Ref McCarthy repeatedly warns Alvarez not to grab the cage when attempting to stand, and so Alvarez ends the round on his back.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Chandler
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Chandler

Round 5

Alvarez comes out aggressive to start the final round, but his punching is slowed by another jumping knee from Chandler, who backs out of the way of Alvarez’s next combo. Alvarez stuffs a shot and comes into the pocket but eats a hard uppercut. Chandler comes in right behind the uppercut to score a takedown, then moves straight to back-control with both hooks in. Chandler is trying for the rear-naked choke again, but Alvarez fights off his hands and then sits up to escape. Now it’s Alvarez with a standing rear-waistlock on Chandler against the cage, zapping Chandler with a pair of fast punches as they separate after tumbling to the ground. Chandler’s face is looking rough, his left eye nearly closed, and it shows as he lunges after Alvarez with a wild left hand. It takes Chandler off balance and allows Alvarez to push him against the cage and bash away with left hands that worsen Chandler’s grisly face. Chandler goes to his knees and Alvarez jumps on his back, then sinks in a rear-naked choke of his own. Chandler escapes by rolling over, Alvarez stays in mount and goes for another RNC as they turn over. Sixty seconds left and Alvarez is stuck to Chandler’s back, and Chandler is just spraying blood all over the place. With 40 seconds to go, Chandler turns over and takes top position, then holds Alvarez against the fence when he stands. Chandler drags Alvarez to the canvas one last time before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Alvarez (48-47 Chandler)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Alvarez (48-47 Alvarez)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Alvarez (48-47 Alvarez)

The Official Result

Eddie Alvarez def. Michael Chandler via Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) R5 5:00

Jesse Juarez vs. Joe Williams

Round 1

Williams opens up kicking, landing to the lead leg of Juarez. Juarez takes the center of the cage and looks to box. As soon as the pair come together, Juarez gets a front headlock and jumps a tight guillotine that has Williams in trouble, then forces him to tap.

The Official Result

Jesse Juarez def. Joe Williams via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 0:57