Bellator 125 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Granson Clark vs. George Zuniga

Round 1

Clark opens up with a combination, then drives Zuniga’s back to the cage. Clark lands a knee up the middle, but Zuniga explodes forward with a torrent of left and right hooks. Zuniga tags Clark with a hard right hand, dropping the Fresno fighter to his back. A few follow up shots render Clark unconscious, and this one is over.

The Official Result

George Zuniga Def. Granson Clark KO (Punches) R1 0:34

Jesse Juarez vs. Ron Keslar

Round 1

Keslar opens with a jab-cross combination, and Juarez answers with a spinning back kick that is off it’s mark. Referee Marcos Rosales calls for action and Juarez obliges with a right hand over the top. Juarez changes levels looking for a takedown against the cage, and turns to take Keslar’s back. The California native drags his man to the canvas and begins looking for a rear-naked choke, but Keslar turns to defend. Juarez now going to work in half-guard, landing short punches to the head and body. Keslar tries pushing off the cage but the Torrance California native turns his back to the fence. With 1:00 left in the round, Keslar uses the butterfly guard to create some space as Juarez continues landing light ground and pound. With 20 seconds left in the round, Marcos Rosales calls for a stand up, and Juarez lands a right hand upstairs to close the frame. 10-9 Juarez.

Round 2

Keslar now stalking forward with a combination and Juarez again changes levels for a takedown. He doesn’t quite have it as the fighters are grounded against the cage. Keslar lands some solid elbows to the temple as Juarez continues to drive for the takedown. Keslar circles out and attaches himself to Calfiornia native’s back with one hook. Keslar trying to put pressure on Juarez as he begins fishing for a choke. Under 2:00 left in the round and Juarez remains in the turtle position with Keslar on his back. Keslar secures his second hook and tries to flatten his opponent out.

The former tournament finalist looks to create an opening with some strikes as he begins sinking his arm under Jurarez’s neck. Juarez defends well and the round closes in the same position. 10-9 Keslar.

Round 3

The final round begins with Keslar throwing out a 1-2 combination. Juarez trying to stay busy, but mainly throwing out range finding strikes. Keslar backs his opponent to the cage, and Juarez drops for a takedown, briefly completing it against the cage. Juarez jumps on his foe’s back, but Keslar reverses position and takes his back. With one hook in, Keslar begins going to work in the same position as round two. The American Kickboxing Academy product is trying to create openings, but Juarez using good wrist control. Under two minutes now left in the fight, and Juarez spins out to take top position. Juarez with a solid right hand down the middle and Keslar tries to get back to his feet. The Bodyshop Fitness Team fighter has his opponent’s back, but seems content with holding on here. Keslar tries to roll out of position, giving Juarez the space to secure both of his hooks, and the final round ends. 10-9 Juarez.

The Official Result

Jesse Juarez Def. Ron Keslar Decision (Unanimous) [29-28, 29-28, 29-28] R3 5:00

Jonny Bonilla-Bowman vs. Art Becerra

Round 1

Bacerra snaps out a couple jabs as he tries to play the outside early. Bonilla-Bowman stalking forward and throws a lunging right hand. Bacerra tags his Bonilla-Bowman with a stiff right hand that spins the New York native around, but he recovers. Bacerra staying light on his feet, and lands another stinging right hand upstairs. The movement of “Mighty Mouse” is giving Bonilla-Bowman some trouble here, as Bacerra continues to land the more accurate strikes. Bacerra with a strong outside low kick. Bonilla-Bowman continues to stalk while throwing out right hands, and lands a solid punch-low kick combination. Bacerra continues with his lateral movement, stopping every few moments to land a combination. The California is mixing it up well with his kicks, and follows with a left-right hook combination. Bonilla-Bowman trying to cut off the cage, but has not been successful thus far. Bacerra briefly takes Bonilla-Bowman to the ground, but he pops up to his feet as the bell sounds. 10-9 Bacerra.

Round 2

Bacerra opens the round with a solid right low kick and Bonilla-Bowman misses with a high kick. Bacerra with a stinging right hand upstairs which the New York native answers with a leg kick. “Mighty Mouse” circles out and continues trying to use movement to throw his opponent off. With 3:00 on the clock, Bacerra continues frustrating his opponent as Bonilla-Bowman lunges forward with a right hand that is way off the mark. Halfway through the round and Bonilla-Bowman finally having some success with some low kicks.

Bacerra lands a right hand up top, but the New York native seems doesn’t seem effective. Bonilla-Bowman continues landing chopping low kicks as he stalks forward. Under one minute left in the round and Bacerra fires off a switch kick that is partially blocked. Bonilla-Bowman closes the round with another solid inside leg kick. 10-9 Bonilla-Bowman.

Round 3

Bacerra opens up with a leg kick and Bonilla-Bowman answers with one of his own. Both fighters seem to be upping their pace here, and the New Yorker is finally having some success near the fence. Bonilla-Bowman continues working the lead leg of the Californian. Bacera lands a jab-cross combination that wobble’s Bonillla-Bowman, who answers with a left hook. Bacerra briefly manages to take his opponent’s back, but is shook off easily. Bonilla-Bowman continues pressing forward with low kicks. Bacerra signals for an eye poke, but referee Jason Herzog forces him to continue. Under two minutes now and Bonilla-Bowman is keeps his forward pressure with a left hook to the body followed by an outside low kick. Bacerra with a jab-cross combination. In the final seconds of the fight, Bonilla-Bowman changes levels for a takedown. The Calfornian defends, and as the New Yorker stands to his feet , Bacerra tags him with a solid right hand that wobbles his opponent. 10-9 Bonilla-Bowman.

The Official Result

Jonny Bonilla-Bowman Def. Art Becerra Decision (Split) [29-28, 28-29, 29-28] R3 5:00

Poppies Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Neves

Round 1

Jason McCoy will officiate this featherweight contest. Neves takes the center of the cage, but is Martinez who opens with a low kick. Neves begins pawing out left jabs trying to find his distance. Neves lands a solid outside leg kick and begins taunting Martinez. Neves continues to hold the center of the cage and lands a powerful spinning back kick that knocks “The Tachi Kid” to his back. Neves continues his attack with several punches, but decides to allow the Californian to stand. Neves explodes forward with a flying knee to the thigh, and Martinez falls to the canvas.

“Morceguinho” continues his pursuit landing several follow up shots. Neves swarms Martinez and the Lemoore native turns his back, prompting Jason McCoy to intervene.

The Official Result

Julio Cesar Neves Def. Poppies Martinez TKO (Spinning Back Kick and Punches) R1

Aaron Wilkinson vs. Chris Honeycutt

Round 1

The fighters take the center of the cage and Honeycutt feints a takedown. He explodes forward with an explosive double-leg against the fence, tossing the Englishman to the canvas. Honeycutt lands half-guard and resumes his ground and pound attack. The All-American postures up and starts landing short elbows. Wilkinson is trying to escape this position, but Honeycutt keeps good control while landing short shots. Under 2:00 left in the round, and Honeycutt now stands up to land several hard punches to the ribs of Wilkinson. The NCAA wrestler is landing some solid punches here as he continues punishing the body of “The Daywalker”. Honeycutt briefly threatens with a kimura, but decides to continue his punching attack. Referee Jason McCoy warns Wilkinson to fight back, but the Englishman has no answer here. Honeycutt lands a few more punches to the head and McCoy steps in to prevent further punishment

Round 2

The fighters take the center of the cage and Honeycutt feints a takedown. He explodes forward with an explosive double-leg against the fence, tossing the Englishman to the canvas. Honeycutt lands half-guard and resumes his ground and pound attack. The All-American postures up and starts landing short elbows. Wilkinson is trying to escape this position, but Honeycutt keeps good control while landing short shots. Under 2:00 left in the round, and Honeycutt now stands up to land several hard punches to the ribs of Wilkinson.

The NCAA wrestler is landing some solid punches here as he continues punishing the body of “The Daywalker”. Honeycutt briefly threatens with a kimura, but decides to continue his punching attack. Referee Jason McCoy warns Wilkinson to fight back, but the Englishman has no answer here. Honeycutt lands a few more punches to the head and McCoy steps in to prevent further punishment.

The Official Result

Chris Honeycutt Def. Aaron Wilkinson TKO (Punches) R2

Matthew Ramirez vs. Oscar Ramirez

Round 1

The flyweights take the center, and it’s Oscar Ramirez on the attack. Matt Ramirez fires off a high kick that is off it’s mark and slips to the canvas. Matt Ramirez completes an outside trip and immediately steps over for a far-side armbar. “The Machine” torques the submission and Oscar Ramirez is forced to tap.

The Official Result

Matthew Ramirez Def. Oscar Ramirez Submission (Armbar) R1 0:42

Joe Neal vs. Paul Ruiz

Round 1

Jason Herzog with officiate this bantamweight fight. The two bantamweights take the center and begin measuring each other with jabs. With one minute off the clock, there’s not much action to speak of, as both fighters continue feeling each other out. Neal keeps a low flat-footed stance as Ruiz circles on the outside. Ruiz lands an inside low kick and Neal answers with one of his own. Ruiz changes level for a takedown but Neal defends. Neal pushes his opponent to the cage and Ruiz threatens with a guillotine. “Nine Lives” manages to drag the Team Alpha Male fighter to the mat and ends up in half guard. Under two minutes left in the round and Neal remains in half guard landing short punches. Neal trying to pass, but Ruiz is holding position. Neal returns to his feet and the fighters both stand in the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Neal.

Round 2

The second round begins similar to the first, with both bantamweights measuring in the center. Ruiz throws a right hand upstairs. Neal doubles up the jab and Ruiz answers with a right hand over the top. With two minutes off the clock the fighters continue to gauge their distance in the center of the cage. Near fires off a jab and Ruiz answers with a winging combination followed by a right hook. Halfway through the round neither fighter seems to be willing to engage. Neal changes levels for a takedown and drags his opponent to the mat while fending off a guillotine.

The Californian goes to work in top position, but decides to return to his feet. Neal fires off a chopping low kick. Ruiz answers with a right hand and the round closes with the bantamweights in the center. 10-9 Neal.

Round 3

Neal opens up with a jab and slowly stalks forward. “Nine Lives” with some showboating as he shuffles his feet. Step in jab from Ruiz, but he’s having a lot of trouble finding his range tonight. Neal fires off a jab, and Ruiz rushes him to complete a takedown. Neal bounces to his feet and responds with a takedown of his own. After a scramble, the bantamweights return to their feet, but Neal completes a trip. Neal now sitting in his opponent’s guard while throwing elbows over the top. With 2:00 left in the bout, Neal is keeping his foe close while firing off the occasional elbow. Neal now increases his output of elbows landing a few solid shots up top. Ruiz has his opponent’s arms tied up so Neal slowly drags him to the base of the cage. Neal stands and dives into the guard of Ruiz. “Nine Lives” with some solid hammerfists as the final bell sounds. 10-9 Neal (30-27 Neal).

The Official Result

Joe Neal Def. Paul Ruiz Decision (Unanimous) [30-27, 30-27, 30-27] R3 5:00

Goiti Yamauchi vs. Martin Stapleton

Round 1

Jason Herzog is the referee for the evening’s first televised bout. Yamauchi quickly takes the center and looks for a single leg. Yamauchi pulls guard and transitions to an omoplata. The Brazilian keeps the hold and and begins landing short punches. Yamauchi holds the shoulder lock in place but Stapleton rolls out. Yamauchi immediately takes his back and locks up a body triangle. Now Yamauchi threatens with a rear-naked choke, landing peppering shorts trying to find an opening. Stapleton keeping good wrist control as the submission ace continues to look for the submission.

With 90 seconds left in the round Stapleton bucks out, and Yamauchi ends up in half guard. Yamauchi again transitions to the back, this time with a single hook. He quickly moves to a body lock and sinks in the rear-naked choke. Stapleton does his best to defend but is left with no choice but to tap.

The Official Result

Goiti Yamauchi Def. Martin Stapleton Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:37

Javy Ayala vs. Raphael Butler

Round 1

Marcos Rosales is the third man in the cage for this heavyweight bout. Ayala rushes Butler with a left-right combination and presses his opponent against the fence. The Californian has an underhook on the left side but quickly changes levels for a takedown. Ayala hoists “The Silencer” in the air and slams him to the canvas. Once the heavyweights hit the ground, Ayala immediately locks up a rear-naked choke, forcing Butler to submit.

The Official Result

Javy Ayala Def. Raphael Butler Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 1:03

Brian Rogers vs. Rafael Carvalho

Round 1

Rogers opens with a pair of low kicks and then lands a right hand upstairs. Carvalho trying to find his range as he fires off a couple straight punches. The Brazilian is trying to clinch up, but Rogers is lighting him up on the inside. Rogers completes a takedown and briefly threatens with a guillotine, but the Brazilian escapes. Under three minutes left in the round and the the fighters again take the center. Rogers appears to be visibly tired here and Carvalho lands a solid knee upstairs in the clinch. The Rio de Janeiro native rushes forward with punch combinations rocking Rogers with several punches.

Carvalho continues the attack with Rogers' back to the fence, and a stiff right hand puts the Ohio native down. “The Professional Predator” is doing his best to return to his feet, but several flush left hands by Carvalho force referee Marcos Rosales to intervene.

The Official Result

Rafael Carvalho Def. Brian Rogers TKO (Punches) R1 3:06

Melvin Manhoef vs. Doug Marshall

Round 1

Jason Herzog draws officiating duties for this middleweight main event. The fighters touch gloves and Manhoef quickly takes the center. The middleweights exchange combinations and Manhoef lands an accidental low blow, causing a break in the action. The fight resumes and Manhoef lands a huge right hand upstairs. Manhoef with a punch-low kick combination. Marshall wades forward with a lefr-right combo of his own. Solid right hand over the top scores for Manhoef and Marshall backs up to the cage. The Dutchman fires off several low kicks. Manhoef feints a right hook to the body and follows with a crushing right hand to the temple, planting Marshall face first into the canvas.

The Official Result

Melvin Manhoef Def. Doug Marshall TKO (Punches) R1 1:45