Bellator 296 ‘Mousasi vs. Edwards’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros (205.2) vs. Simon Biyong (205.6)

Round 1

Vive la France! For the third year since 2020, Bellator has posted up in Paris for a show to titillate those inside of the Accor Arena. French fans will be treated to 14 bouts of various intrigue, and the show will end with a pair of five-rounders but no belt on the line in either. The proceedings commence in the light heavyweight division between a pair of titanic finishers, as Augusto (7-4, 1 NC; 1-2 BMMA) battles Biyong (9-2, 2-1 BMMA) in a fight that might not last long. Referee Jacob Montalvo is ready and awaiting the violence that is set to begin in front of his eyes, but before that happens, the event begins with the two fighters sharing a sporting glove touch. Biyong leads off with a jab and a body kick, with his significant reach on display immediately. “Gugu” replies with a chopping low kick, and Biyong says two can play that game and gives him two back. Augusto recoils his limb on the second strike, and he chambers and fires one that is out of range. Biyong changes stances to evade a quick punch, and he comes inside only to be greeted with two hooks. As Augusto looks to fire off a few punches, Biyong advances and clinches him up, pressing him to the wall and kneeing him in the gut. Augusto attempts to turn the tables and trip the taller man out, but Biyong keeps his balance and hops back until they split up. Augusto steps through with a solid one-two, and Biyong takes it on the chin and retaliates with a kick that misses and ends up with him falling to the mat. The Brazilian marches him down, finding his target with another clean right hand, and he drives Biyong back to the fencing. As the light heavyweights trade knees, Biyong raises one up that clacks off the cup to cause a pause in the action. Montalvo recognizes this and allows Augusto to recover, and he asks Augusto if he would like the position back. Augusto accepts this and the fight resumes in the clinch, with him on the offense. Biyong shoves him back when restarting, and he circles on the outside and looses a left hand. Augusto beats him to the punch with a right hook, and he surprises the Italian fighter by way of Cameroon with a combination. Biyong gets stood up with a powerful right hand, and his legs are not fully beneath him as Augusto marches him down. “Gugu” slugs him in the chops again and winds up tied up, where he tags Biyong with a sharp elbow before breaking free again. Augusto plods forward, seeing Biyong is still compromised, and he smashes him in the face with two fists before they wind up clinched. Biyong turns him around, seeming to get his bearings back, and they deliver short knees to the body one after the other. Biyong rides the round out in this position, making certain he is fully back with it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Augusto
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Augusto
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Augusto

Round 2

The fighters clap hands to start off the second stanza, and Biyong leads off with a low kick. Augusto strings two punches and a leg kick of his own, and he dodges the counter in time. Biyong stumbles back and suddenly darts forward, swinging, but Augusto is wise to it and defends himself. The Brazilian is pushed back to the wall as the large men tie one another up, and they search for underhooks or an advantageous position. Biyong shucks off the clinch when grabbed in a body lock, and he surges forward with inaccurate punches. Augusto strides forward with a big right hand, and this activates Biyong, who lashes out with several fists that catch the Brazilian on the chin. Biyong’s momentum backs “Gugu” back to the fence, and he knees his man in the breadbasket a few times to score some points. Biyong stalls out the match in this posture, even when Augusto attempts to set up a Thai plum, and Augusto looks to escape with a trip attempt. Biyong falls to a knee and climbs right back up without issue, and he squeezes his body weight into Augusto like he is trying to squeeze Augusto through the chain links like Play-Do. Biyong stays busy enough with body shots, until Augusto explodes out of the position with a big right hand. Biyong gives chase and scores a right, and Augusto strikes with three punches to knock “Hemle” into the wall. Biyong spins him around when backed up, and Augusto breaks free with 20 seconds to spare. Augusto glances a vertical elbow off the top of the head, and Biyong holds on in the clinch until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Augusto
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Augusto
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Augusto

Round 3

The two hug it out to start off the last round, and Biyong takes the middle of the cage and lunges with two whiffing punches. Augusto clubs Biyong in the face with a right, and he tags a leaning Biyong with an elbow right on the chin. As Biyong continues to power forward, Augusto times a knee up the middle. Biyong ducks down, trips Augusto out and sets him on his seat. The Brazilian pops right back up to his feet, with Biyong holding on from behind, and Augusto grabs the fence when Biyong tugs him down to the floor. Biyong still manages to get Augusto down briefly thanks to an observant Montalvo, and once more, Augusto springs upright and turns himself around. Biyong hangs on in the clinch, taking a knee to the sternum and pressing his forehead into the chest of “Gugu.” Biyong half-heartedly considers a single-leg takedown, but Augusto shuts this down and knees his foe in the sternum. Montalvo asks the competitors to work as Biyong stalls, and Biyong grabs Augusto’s right leg for a single that is nowhere close to completion. Augusto elbows Biyong in the side of the head to keep him honest during a takedown effort, and he rips an elbow up high when Biyong stands upright. The Brazilian plants multiple short knees to the midsection as they remain locked up, and he turns Biyong around momentarily to frame up and smash him with a single elbow. “Hemle” once more spins his man about, and they continue to dance around until Augusto lines up a crisp knee to the body. Biyong takes it like a champ and attempts to fire a few back, but they have far less mustard on them. Biyong clings to his foe like a bad penny, grabbing his fingers in the links of the cage to hold him there, and the crowd grows restless. Augusto gains a short modicum of space to pop Biyong in the chops with another elbow, and Biyong dives in for a takedown that is blocked right before the final bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Augusto (30-27 Augusto)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Augusto (30-27 Augusto)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Augusto (30-27 Augusto)

The Official Result

Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros def. Simon Biyong via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Bourama Camara (170.1) vs. Romain Debienne (172.4: Missed Weight)

Round 1

It’s an all-French collision for the second fight of the card, one that will take place outside of a standard weight category because one competitor missed weight. While the 6-foot-4 Camara (5-2, 1-1 BMMA) made his proper marks, the six-inch shorter Debienne (8-4, 0-0 BMMA) stepped on the scale nearly two pounds over the welterweight cap. This de facto catchweight contest will be officiated by referee Kevin MacDonald, and Debienne offers an apologetic touch of gloves to lead off. Camara reaches with his right hand outstretched, length far in his favor, and he tosses out a body kick from two states away that nearly reaches his opponent. Camara fakes a body kick again, pumping his hips to draw a reaction, and he counters an oncoming Debienne with a left. Camara pops out jabs, looking to follow them with straight left hands, and Debienne is watching this and avoids most of them. Debienne lets rip a low kick, and Camara counters him cleanly with a blistering right hand. Debienne wobbles, and Camara switches stances and walks him down. Camara fires off a leg kick and a left hook, and Debienne gets his sea legs back and throws back offense. When Debienne launches a low kick, Camara prepares his left hand across the forward bow. Debienne catches Camara flush with a right hand of his own, and it is one-and-done so that he can evade a head kick zooming at his dome. Camara greets Debienne with a knee up the middle, and he just misses taking a right hand on the temple. Debienne is throwing heat, but few are landing, while Camara is aiming his big left hook back at him. Camara jabs and paws out with punches, beating Debienne to the punch repeatedly thanks to several extra inches in his limbs. Camara snipes his man with a left hook on the inside, and he hops away from a looping punch soaring at him. The two trade power punches, missing with most of them, but swinging hard enough to draw respect from the other. Camara steps through a punch to snap out a left hook, and he swaps stances to jab Debienne with his left twice and follow it with a right down the pipe. Debienne loads up on bombs, and Camara sees them coming from a mile away. Camara snaps out a head kick, and he catches Debienne with a left and a front kick right before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Camara
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Camara
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Camara

Round 2

The fighters touch ‘em up to get started again, and they whiff on alternating hooks. Debienne dips back from the distance strikes that buzz his hairline, and he gets off a few low kicks to the outstretched leg of his rangy opponent. One such kick spurs Camara into action, who runs at him throwing punches. Debienne chambers and looses a massive right hand, rocking Camara badly and separating him from most of his senses. Camara topples to his seat, and he desperately looks for a takedown or some way to stand up and get back with it. As soon as Camara stands, Debienne loads up with another devastating right, and Camara goes down again. Macdonald bumps into them before actually waving off the fight, and Debienne gets off a few more punches to seal the deal before the match concludes. Camara’s eyes roll back in his head during the final salvo, but he snaps right back to consciousness and pleads with MacDonald to not stop the fight. This never works, as by the time the referee has put hands on a fighter, it is all over. This is a big win for Debienne, who becomes the first fighter to stop the long, lanky welterweight with strikes.

The Official Result

Roman Debienne def. Bourama Camara R2 1:04 via KO (Punches)

Asael Adjoudj (150) vs. Georges Sasu (149.6)

Round 1

Keeping things pushing, once again two Frenchmen take center stage, this time at a pre-planned catchweight of 150 pounds. Ever since his first pro loss in 2020, Adjoudj (5-1, 3-1 BMMA) has yet to taste defeat including three wins under the Bellator banner, while Sasu (4-2, 2-2 BMMA) suffered his first decision loss in his most recent fight coming back in November 2021. The two young fighters at 24 and 25, respectively, touch ‘em up while referee Jacob Montalvo observes the proceedings. Adjoudj takes the center of the cage and then some, advancing fast, but not letting his hands go. Sasu leaves his left hand low, unconcerned by the early offense that is not coming. Sasu backs him off and uppercuts his man in the chin, and they wind up clinched. Adjoudj aims a few elbows from up close, and Sasu changes levels in pursuit of a double-leg takedown to elevate Adjoudj. “The Sultan” turns the corner and sets Sasu on his seat, where he stacks him up awkwardly such that Sasu’s legs are up in the air with his back on the wall. Sasu considers a guillotine choke or something to keep Adjoudj honest, but he settles to wall-walk and stand back up. Adjoudj is quick to pursue a mat return, and he leverages Sasu down to the canvas again. The pace slows down significantly with Adjoudj hooking his legs around Sasu’s, thereby pinning him on his seat. Adjoudj smacks Sasu with a few wayward punches when he finds an opening, which staves off a standup from Montalvo for the time being. Sasu looks for butterfly hooks to try to push off or gain some space, and Adjoudj takes advantage of this by tying his legs up again to trap him. The ground-and-pound is methodical but not particularly damaging, as Adjoudj gets off some left hands and elbows. One such elbow forces Sasu to lean over, and Adjoudj jumps down to pursue a guillotine choke. Sasu survives the choke, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj

Round 2

The second round opens with Sasu striding out of his corner as if the last round had never happened. He walks Adjoudj down, and he gets kicked in the body on the way in. Sasu wades forward, doing so recklessly where he cannot pin Adjoudj down and land on him with much. Adjoudj picks and pokes from the outside, moving laterally and chipping with leg kicks or occasional jabs. Sasu no-sells the strikes so that he can lash out with an uppercut and a few follow-up punches. Adjoudj retaliates with a head kick, and Sasu grabs it and pushes him down to the floor. Sasu’s legs may be a bit wobbly, but he shakes it out and continues moving forward fearlessly. Adjoudj intercepts Sasu with a vicious elbow, and Sasu is stunned and may not be with it right now. Adjoudj tags his man with two body kicks, spins with a wheel kick, and steps in with a mighty knee. Sasu is in big trouble, and he shoots for a takedown. Adjoudj grabs hold of a guillotine choke in hopes of sealing the deal, and he bails on it to stand back up. Sasu hangs on with all his might, and Adjoudj responds with a trip takedown to dump Sasu to his back. Adjoudj hammers his downed foe with elbows, and Sasu is hanging on to try to tie Adjoudj up and stop getting bludgeoned. Adjoudj slows himself down so that he does not gas out hunting for a finish, and as he levies down elbows, he rips open a cut on the corner of Sasu’s right eye. Adjoudj hangs on to complete the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Adjoudj

Round 3

The last round is on, and the countrymen clap hands ready to resume combat. Adjoudj sits back to throw a front kick, a body kick, and a third that is intercepted by a blitzing Sasu. Sasu dings Adjoudj with an uppercut and sits down on his own body kick, and he backs Adjoudj up and is not entirely following him. Sasu walks through an elbow and a foot sweep so that he can throw hands, and with his hands low, he is deceptive with his timing. Adjoudj smacks him with a spinning back fist, and Sasu shrugs it off like it was nothing. Sasu trips Adjoudj out, and he manages to land in half guard with three minutes remaining in the match. Sasu spins around when Adjoudj turns to his knees, partially taking the back and putting his body weight down on Adjoudj to keep him grounded. Sasu drags Adjoudj back down and flattens him on his back once more, where he postures up in half guard to bust Adjoudj in the chops with hammerfists. Sasu uses a series of right hands to allow him to pass guard to the side, and he gloms down to disallow Adjoudj from kicking off the fence or otherwise exploding back to his feet. Sasu grinds his elbow on the forehead and swings hammerfists, and he winds up in north-south position working the body. Sasu shifts to the side and then steps back to half guard to keep Adjoudj stuck. Sasu punches the body a few times, perhaps to open up head shots, but he does not throw those punches to the head. Sasu tries to unload with punches with seconds to spare, and Adjoudj pushes off the chest with his foot to gain enough space to hear the final bell without taking much damage.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Sasu (29-28 Adjoudj)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Sasu (29-28 Adjoudj)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Sasu (29-28 Adjoudj)

The Official Result

Asael Adjoudj def. Georges Sasu via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)

Fabacary Diatta (145.4) vs. Keir Harvie (145.8)

Round 1

Unlike the previous prelims, a local fighter in Diatta (8-1, 2-1 BMMA) will be throwing down not with a fellow countryman but instead a foreigner. Fresh out of Edinburgh, Scotland, Harvie (5-2-2, 0-0 BMMA) will aim to make his successful organizational debut in hostile territory. Neither combatant has ever been finished, so a lot could be on the line as the crowd roars. There is a quick glove touch to get things started for the featherweights, and referee Blake Grice is on the scene. Harvie leads off with a sharp jab, and Diatta fires back with the same. This exchange continues a few more times, as the featherweights find their range early. Diatta snaps the head back with one such jab, and he follows it with two hooks. Harvie backs him off momentarily with a front kick, and Diatta springs back into action with a left hook. The two trade leather, with Diatta landing with more power while the Scottish fighter is touching him. The power jab from Diatta gets his foe’s attention, busting Harvie’s cheek up, and Diatta complains of an eye poke that makes Grice intervene. Diatta recovers after about 30 seconds, and Harvie is amped up to get right back to throwing hands. Diatta’s accuracy flusters Harvie, who takes a low kick and several jabs when trying to get his own offense going. Harvie whiffs on three punches, and Diatta stings him with a combination while evading the counters. Diatta steps through a jab to loop a hook on the chin, and two body kicks succeed. Harvie flashes out his own jab, not backing down despite his face transforming from the damage sustained thus far. Diatta paints a canvas of pain on Harvie’s face, smashing his nose up and causing blood to pour from several points in the Scottish fighter’s visage. Diatta does not slow down with his offense, and Harvie does not appear impacted one iota despite looking like a crime scene. Harvie shoots in suddenly for a takedown, where he plants the Frenchman on his back with a minute to spare in the round. Crimson leaks from Harvie’s nose and face as he holds Diatta down, doing little else besides controlling. Diatta explodes back up and knees Harvie repeatedly to the thigh before shooting in for a double. Diatta bails on it to rip an elbow over the top, and he drops down again for a double. This time, he dumps Harvie to the mat, and he surges into action with a final salvo of swinging fists before the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Diatta
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Diatta
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Diatta

Round 2

Between rounds, Harvie’s face is cleaned up well enough, but he has taken some punishment after five minutes. Diatta picks up right where he left off, jabbing and following those jabs with power punches. Harvie slaps a kick down low, and Diatta counters with a massive right hand that sends the Scottish competitor crumpling to the mat. Diatta leaps down to finish the job, working Harvie over and lashing out at any possible target. Diatta beats down the body of his opponent while Harvie leans forward to protect his face from further arm, and Diatta pushes him over. Diatta stands up and lets Harvie up instead of dealing with upkicks, and the two reset on the feet. Harvie charges in for a takedown from afar, and Diatta stuffs him like a brick wall and throws him to his knees. Diatta slams his fists into the sides of his opponent’s head, hurting him but not doing enough to force a finish. Harvie recovers to sit up with his back to the wall, and Diatta pushes him back over and slugs him in the chops with his left hand. Harvie attempts to sit up to quell the bludgeoning, and Diatta styles on him and moves from side to side, even considering a guillotine choke. Harvie grits his teeth and stands back up, and Diatta welcomes this so that he can plant several jabs on his face in rapid succession. Harvie walks into an uppercut, and he rips two elbows and a left hook over the top to surprise the Frenchman. Diatta gathers his thoughts and wings a left hook, and Harvie retaliates with a solid left to the body. Harvie is in this to the bitter end, and he punches his way into a diving takedown effort. Diatta shuts this down and drills him with punches upside the head. The round wraps up as Diatta pummels his man with effective blows.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Diatta
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Diatta
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-8 Diatta

Round 3

The fighters have reached the final frame, and Harvie is not slowing down. Harvie whips up a high kick and chains several punches after, and Diatta sits down on several jabs to further punish the Scotsman. Diatta meets his man in the middle with a left hook, and Harvie rushes forward and shoots in for a takedown that Diatta counters with a knee. Harvie falls to his knees, and Diatta connects with several punches and hammerfists as Harvie hangs on. Grice tells Harvie to fight back, and Diatta continues beating on him and controlling Harvie without a fear in the world. Harvie turns to his back, bloodied and beaten, and he fights his way up so his seat. Diatta strikes again and again to any open target, be it the side of the head, ribcage or even armpit. Harvie looks to explode up or out, and Diatta is on him like a cheap suit. Diatta opens up with several left hands when Harvie leans up to the fencing on a knee, and Harvie shows signs of life by moving and attempting to improve his position. Diatta batters his foe with left hands even as Harvie stands up, and the gutsy Harvie escapes this position thanks to a two-on-one standing wrist lock. Harvie gains a little space, and he shoots for a feeble takedown that the Frenchman welcomes. Diatta shoves him right over and lands in side control, where he pushes past a Hail Mary inverted triangle choke at the remainder of the match. The bell sounds, and this one-sided shellacking has come to a conclusion.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Diatta (30-25 Diatta)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-8 Diatta (30-25 Diatta)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-8 Diatta (30-25 Diatta)

The Official Result

Fabacary Diatta def. Keir Harvie via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Christopher Gonzalez (155.4) vs. Tim Wilde (156)

Round 1

Lightweights inhabit the cage for the next 15 minutes or less, when Britain’s Wilde (15-4-1, 3-1-1 BMMA) aims to push his unbeaten streak to five at the expense of Team Alpha Male product Gonzalez (8-2, 7-2 BMMA). The speedy prelim pace continues on quickly as the fighters come together and bump fists, and referee Blake Grice oversees the two from afar. Gonzalez slaps out a body kick from a distance, and Wilde ignores it and keeps his guard high for the subsequent right hand over the top. Gonzalez sits down on a whipping leg kick, and Wilde turns to try to take some of the venom out of it. They clash together, trading hands, and neither man appears worse for wear from the fierce exchange. Gonzalez leaps forward with a right hand, and Wilde springs back to avoid it and comes out firing with a spinning wheel kick. When Wilde lands, he goes wild with a flurry of punches, forcing Gonzalez to shell up and defend against the wall. Gonzalez bounces off the fencing and throws back with a vengeance, swinging so hard he nearly throws himself off-balance. Gonzalez stays on the outside as Wilde change stances and advances, and the Brit scores a solid kick to the outside of the knee. Wilde looses several punches, and Gonzalez swats them away and wags his finger at him. Gonzalez blocks a head kick and absorbs a flush calf kick that stumbles him, and he rushes forward to consider a low single. Gonzalez abandons this track to push out multiple jabs, and Gonzalez responds with a right hand and a spinning back kick that lands right on the torso. Gonzalez checks a leg kick and circles away, and he reaches his man with a right hand but falls short on a second. Wilde spins with another back kick, and Gonzalez takes it and is nearly countered with a right hand when resetting. Gonzalez dives low for an ankle, and Wilde yanks his leg out and gets free. Gonzalez walks through a body kick to scoop Wilde off the ground, and he slams Wilde to his back. Gonzalez ends the round on top, landing left hands.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wilde
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Wilde
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Wilde

Round 2

The two tap their hands together to start off the round, and they jab at one another simultaneously. Wilde lashes out with two high kicks, one from each leg, driving Gonzalez back and making the American defend himself. Wilde shovels an uppercut through the guard, and he puts a body kick on the target to follow. Gonzalez winds up on a right hook and misses the mark, with Wilde’s footwork frustrating him. Wilde steps in with a right hand, and a subsequent left hook gets Gonzalez’ attention. Gonzalez swings back hard, but Wilde lands harder and cleaner, and he steps in with a vertical elbow. Gonzalez attacks a low takedown, and Wilde hops away and gets right back on the offense, backing Gonzalez right to the wall. Wilde gets off a spinning back kick to the liver, and Gonzalez wags his finger again but that landed cleanly. Wilde lands as right hand, and Gonzalez counters with a right and trips the British man down to his seat. Gonzalez hops over to the half guard and immediately drives down his right elbow, until Wilde recovers the full guard. Gonzalez tries multiple times to pass, and he gets to the half guard on the other side while Wilde scoots his way back to the fencing. Before Wilde can wall-walk, Gonzalez drags him to the side, and he uses heavy shoulder pressure to threaten with an arm-triangle choke. The submission is more for controlling position than to actually elicit a tap, and he releases it so that he can open up with a few body shots. Wilde sweeps him just at the right time, and the two return to their feet with one minute remaining. Wilde chops down low with a kick, and he spins with a wheel kick that puts “The Lion” on rubber legs. Gonzalez engages in a ruthless brawl, getting stung but throwing everything he has with booming hooks. Gonzalez catches Wilde, but Wilde retaliates with a picture-perfect spinning back kick to the ribs. Gonzalez grits his teeth and shoots to take Wilde down to the mat, and he lands in half guard and rides out the round on top.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Wilde
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Wilde
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Wilde

Round 3

There is a double touch of gloves and a hug to start off the final frame, and Wilde leads off the dance with a powerful leg kick. Gonzalez sells out for a takedown, and Wilde springs and hops away like a rabbit to escape the attempt. “The Experiment” spins around and goes right back on the offense, driving Gonzalez back to the wall with pressure alone. Wilde fakes a spin and opens up with a long, straight left hand. Wilde digs a left to the body a few times, and the pace wanes to single strikes. A left front kick from Wilde is caught, and Gonzalez tosses his leg aside instead of pursuing a takedown entry. Wilde sticks out a jab, and Gonzalez counters with a left that stumbles and puts Wilde on his backside. The fatigued Gonzalez does not give chase, instead allowing Wilde back up, where Wilde backs him up again and digs a left to the body and right to the head. Gonzalez chomps down on his gumshield and slings leather, and Wilde sees the telegraphed, labored strikes coming and watches them loop past him. Wilde grazes the foot of a spinning back kick off the midsection, and Gonzalez sits down on two hooks that back Wilde off. Gonzalez pushes forward, ignoring a springing right hook, so that he can wing a right hand over the top. Wilde counters with an uppercut, and Gonzalez jumps back and reaches with a front kick that clacks into the cup. Wilde adjusts his cup, tells Grice he can continue, and they get back to it with 75 seconds remaining. “The Lion” shoots for a takedown, and he gets it, planting the Brit on his back in what becomes the closed guard. Gonzalez softens him up with short punches, but time is not on his side and his strikes are far from the fight-ending variety. Gonzalez scores some more strikes, but they do not have a great deal of oomph on them, and the match comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gonzalez (29-28 Wilde)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Gonzalez (29-28 Wilde)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Gonzalez (29-28 Wilde)

The Official Result

Tim Wilde def. Christopher Gonzalez via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Sarvarjon Khamidov (140.6) vs. Kevin Petshi (140.4)

Round 1

With designs of pushing his spotless record to 15-0 and hoping to make a name for himself on enemy territory, Tajikstan’s Khamidov (14-0, 1-0 BMMA) toes the line with the well-traveled French fighter Petshi (18-5, 0-0 BMMA). This match takes place at 141 pounds, as agreed to by both men. Referee Blake Grice knows there is a decent amount at stake here, and he is ready for wherever the fight may go. It opens with a fist bump, and Petshi initiates offense first with a pair of jabs and a jumping front kick. Khamidov swats them away and responds with a high kick that glances off the shoulder. Khamidov ducks a hook and replies with one of his own, and they clash together in a clinch in the middle of the cage, where they trade knees. They break free, and Petshi kicks low. Khamidov times this leg kick to snatch up a single and dump the Frenchman on his back. Khamidov hangs on in the guard, landing the occasional strike but racking up control time and hunting for passes. Khamidov moves to half guard, and Petshi defends off his back to block any oncoming right hands. The two hand-fight, and Petshi drags him back to a butterfly guard in hopes of a sweep or push-off. Grice tells the fighters to work, with Petshi keeping Khamidov largely at bay until Khamidov lowers himself back into the guard that closes around him. Khamidov hops over to half guard on the other side, and he drops down a solid elbow before Petshi wraps his legs back around the waist again. The fans grow restless, and a person in the crowd starts tooting an airhorn annoyingly. The horn blares louder, and Grice stands the fighters up with 20 seconds left. Petshi thanks Grice by leaping at his man with a knee, and Khamidov is well out of the way. The two do not engage until the round ends, and that obnoxious horn keeps on blowing.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Khamidov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Khamidov
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Khamidov

Round 2

The round kicks off with the fighters meeting right in the center of the cage, and it does not take Khamidov more than 10 seconds to land a takedown. Petshi moves to a knee, and he stands up only to succumb to an immediate mat return. Khamidov lowers himself to the closed guard, and he begins to smack Petshi’s dome around with fists. The strikes are not individually powerful, but they add up and appear to stave off Grice for the time being. Khamidov embraces the grind, with light offense as Petshi is stuck on his back with little to do on his own right. Khamidov’s position is effective but he cannot land anything of note, and Petshi’s sweep attempts or anything of his own are silenced. The French fans are not amused. Khamidov slowly moves to half guard, thwarting a sweep and landing a few right hands. Petshi tosses his legs up with 30 seconds to spare, hopefully snaring his man in something, but Khamidov moves right through it and gets to the side. The round ends, and at least that horn has been silenced.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Khamidov
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Khamidov
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Khamidov

Round 3

A quick glove touch opens the final round, and Khamidov spins with a strike that Petshi tries to counter. Khamidov throws a high kick, and when Petshi strikes back, Khamidov grabs hold of him and pursues a takedown. Petshi rushes to the wall, and Khamidov takes him down from behind and slams him to the floor. Petshi keeps turning, and when moving to his knees, he gives up his back. Khamidov attempts to get his hooks in, and he flattens Petshi out momentarily. Khamidov isolates the neck, latching onto a rear-naked choke with a palm-to-palm grip, and the forearm slides beneath the chin while Petshi is face-down. Petshi has no way out, with Khamidov completely shutting him down, and he taps out. Tajikstan’s Khamidov is now 15-0 as a pro with eight finishes on his ledger, and he may have a tough time finding adversaries going forward.

The Official Result

Sarvarjon Khamidov def. Kevin Petshi R3 1:33 via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke)

Yves Landu (145.8) vs. Piotr Niedzielski (146.2)

Round 1

Although the promotion did not make much mention on weigh-in day, this next prelim comes officially outside the bounds of the featherweight division. Clocking in .2 pounds over the 146-pound max, Niedzielski (17-5, 1-1 BMMA) seems relatively unaffected and it was not certain if his purse will be impacted. Regardless of what happened, Landu (18-9, 3-1 BMMA) would not miss an opportunity to compete in front of loyal fans again, as his last two Bellator Paris appearances ended courtesy of his knees. The Polish fighter has never been knocked out, so something might have to give here. Referee Blake Grice is prepped and ready, and the athletes touch gloves. Landu is fired up from the home fans, and he reaches his arms up and out repeatedly. Neither man engages with much in the first 30 seconds, until Niedzielski tosses out a high kick that misses and a leg kick that turns Landu a bit. Landu recovers and fires off a leg kick of his own, and Niedzielski completely ignores it. Landu strikes with another, and Niedzielski walks him down and reaches him with a left hook. Landu chains a leg kick into a right hook, and Niedzielski leans back to avoid the blow and attacks with a chopping kick. Niedzielski chases Landu down, thumping the Frenchman’s leg up with strikes, and he clubs a left on the side of the head. Landu shakes it off and evades a body shot to paw out a few right hooks. Niedzielski swings with a haymaker that misses the mark, and he recovers and is not made to pay for it as Landu just watches on. Niedzielski plants the ball of his foot on his foe’s midsection, and he lands a second to the same spot as Landu strafes away. Niedzielski hammers the lead calf with his shin, and Landu is unable to get much going on his end. Landu’s right hand is blocked quickly, and Niedzielski does not appear concerned about the power coming his way. The Polish man walks Landu down, getting off leg kicks and letting Landu swing and miss. Niedzielski catches a kick and tosses Landu to the floor, and he does not give chase and instead allows the Frenchman to stand. Niedzielski cracks his man with a right, and kicks Landu’s right leg out. Allowing Landu to stand, Niedzielski is there when Landu stands so he can beat it down with another kick. Landu changes stances, and he comes up short with a body kick before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Niedzielski
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Niedzielski
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Niedzielski

Round 2

The fighters clap hands to get started again, and Landu comes out of his corner aggressively. Landu swings with a vicious left hand, and he stuns Niedzielski immediately. Landu charges like a bull, flailing his fists and popping Niedzielski with a couple additional strikes. Landu calms himself down, having been effectively countered with a thudding right hand on the way in. Niedzielski chips away with body kicks, and he slides to the side to dodge a right hand. Landu circles and takes a clean left hand on the chin, and he does not fire back. When Landu does spur himself into action, Niedzielski is there to bust him in the chops with a straight left. Landu comes up short throwing a body kick, and Niedzielski loops a home run punch that makes Landu run backwards. The fighters largely swing for the fences with single blows, and neither man lands effectively as a result. The blocks are high, the punches are off target, and the pace slows. Niedzielski punches his way forward, and Landu responds with a level change. Niedzielski bucks him off and hammers the lead calf with a kick, and Landu limps back and stamps it out to get some feeling back in it. The Polish fighters pushes out a one-two, and the leg kicks from Niedzielski have actually opened a cut on his lower shin. Niedzielski escapes the blitzing Landu, who throws caution to the wind and fails to hit him. The strange round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Niedzielski
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Niedzielski
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Niedzielski

Round 3

The fighters try to pump up the crowd to start off the last round, and the audience responds with a large amount of whistling. Landu strikes, lashing out with punches that knock Niedzielski clean off his feet and down to the floor. It might not have been a clean knockdown blow but rather one that came when Niedzielski was in transition, but Niedzielski is on his back regardless of the nature of the strike. The Polish fighter throws his legs up, pursuing an immediate defensive triangle choke. Landu pushes past it to set up an armbar, but he is attempting to crank on it before it is actually locked down. This allows Niedzielski to sit up and wriggle his arm out of it without much concern, and the two fighters stand back to his feet. Landu appears the more energized, as he tags Niedzielski with a few punches and drives Niedzielski back. Niedzielski, attempting to recover, backpedals while Landu swings hammers at him. The Frenchman catches him with another strike, prompting Niedzielski to secure a reactionary takedown that deposits Landu to the mat. Landu stays on his back, attempting offense and throwing strikes, while Niedzielski calmly resides over him and slashes down an elbow or two. Niedzielski clings to his man while Landu tries to scoot to the wall, and Grice calls for action as the fighters hit the final minute mark. Landu bursts back up to his feet with the wall at his back, and he punches his way out of the tie-up to get some space. Landu launches a flying knee at his opponent, and Niedzielski is several feet away. Landu’s own momentum allows him to bowl Niedzielski over, and with seconds to spare, Landu claims top position. The fight ends, and this could be a close one.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Landu (29-28 Niedzielski)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Landu (29-28 Niedzielski)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Landu (29-28 Niedzielski)

The Official Result

Yves Landu def. Piotr Niedzielski via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Davy Gallon (155.4) vs. Saul Rogers (155.8)

Round 1

A pair of lightweights born in 1989 that both made their pro debuts in 2011 will collide in this upcoming tilt, as submission-savvy Rogers (15-5, 3-3 BMMA) faces off against Caen, France, rep Gallon (21-8-2, 3-1 BMMA). “Tha Hangman” would prefer to keep his alternating win/loss streak going because a victory would follow that pattern next, while Gallon attempts to bounce back from his first defeat in five years. The fighters touch ‘em up in front of cage steward, referee Jacob Montalvo. Rogers strides forward to take the center of the cage and advance, and Gallon greets him with an inside leg kick and one that slides up to pound into the cup. Montalvo recognizes this and allows Rogers to recover. Rogers does not need more than a few seconds to wave the fight back on, and he re-introduces himself to Gallon with a three-punch salvo. Rogers shoots in for a double, and he lifts Gallon off the ground and puts him down. Gallon stands right back up, and Rogers secures a smooth mat return with emphasis. Rogers lands a single punch before shifting around to pressure Gallon down on his knees, and he jumps guard in pursuit of a guillotine choke. Gallon turns to his side, and he defends by hooking his arms beneath his own leg. As Gallon is holding on, defending himself properly and successfully, Rogers transitions his grip to secure a brabo choke. Montalvo sees something he does not like, and he intervenes to stop the fight. Gallon, still conscious and just fine, is apoplectic that the fight was halted despite his condition. This is a mistake from Montalvo, and it is an unfortunate situation for Gallon. With any luck, the promotion can re-book this match for a future date.

The original ruling of this match is that Saul Rogers defeated Davy Gallon at 2:12 of Round 1 via Technical Submission (Brabo Choke). This is only in place for a few minutes, until the organization announced on the broadcast that the result had been overturned to a no contest.

The Official Result

Saul Rogers vs. Davy Gallon is ruled a No Contest (Overturned) R1 2:12

Oliver Enkamp (170) vs. Luca Poclit (169.6)

Round 1

Two wildly inventive submission practitioners will treat fans to a likely grappler’s delight at 170 pounds up next. Sweden’s Enkamp (11-3, 4-1 BMMA) surprised Mark Lemminger last May with the promotion’s first Buggy choke, while Poclit (8-1, 1-0 BMMA) most recently created his own choke he called “The Lucanator,” which looked like an extremely modified arm-triangle choke mixed with a strangely angled guillotine choke. If those two recent triumphs are any indication, the audience could be in for a treat. Referee Kevin MacDonald is paying extremely close attention in case something unorthodox comes up, and before they tangle, the welterweights touch gloves. Poclit slowly advances, dodging a jab and looking for an angle. Neither fighter commits to a strike for the first 40 seconds, until Enkamp lands a few punches and Poclit shoots for a takedown. Enkamp defends with a guillotine choke off his back, and Poclit pushes past it and moves to the dangerous guard of his adversary. Enkamp holds his legs up high for an unorthodox triangle choke, and succeeds in reversing Poclit to place him on his back. Enkamp rains down a few powerful punches, and Poclit explodes into action and sweeps Enkamp to his back. Enkamp defends with a high guard, keeping his legs in the conversation to threaten with something. Enkamp slides his leg up and his shin under the chin to search for a rare and elusive Gogoplata, and Poclit recognizes this slick maneuver and break out of it. Enkamp attempts to turn his man over, but Poclit hangs on and lands a few punches. Enkamp threatens with a couple upkicks while throwing his legs up and around the shoulder for an inverted triangle choke. Poclit smashes out of it with elbows, and the exciting grapple-heavy round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp

Round 2

The fighters touch ‘em up to get started, and Enkamp swings and misses with a body kick. Unwilling to take things to the mat again, the two tentatively strike at one another, cautious and largely hurling single strikes. Enkamp lands the flusher of the blows as the two paw at one another, doing little but circling the other. This lull of activity continues until Enkamp connects with a hook kick that partially graces the face, and Poclit answers with a takedown that dumps the Swede to the floor. Poclit locates himself in the guard of his opponent, and he calmly does work while not falling into any trap from Enkamp. Enkamp pushes off the wall to gain better leverage, and he twists over in pursuit of an armbar without actually grabbing hold of Poclit’s arm. Poclit jumps to the back, where he clings to it until the round ends. The score could go either way in this five-minute stretch.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Poclit
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Poclit

Round 3

The two men clap hands to start off the last frame, and Enkamp is the early aggressor with stomp kicks to the knee and a grazing right hand. Poclit darts in, changing levels in pursuit of a double, and he easily tackles Enkamp to his back. Poclit lands in half guard, and Enkamp twists while reaching his left leg around the back of his foe. Poclit ignores this while using his full body weight to shut down anything Enkamp throws at him. Poclit nullifies his opponent with his wrestling, thwarting any submission setups before they can materialize. Poclit opens up with a few let hands, doing so until Enkamp’s rubber guard around Poclit’s shoulder makes him think twice. Enkamp considers a triangle choke, and when Poclit moves to pass guard, Enkamp turns that maneuver into an inverted triangle choke. Poclit slides his neck out and shifts to the side, where Enkamp is ready to defend with his legs in some fashion. Poclit keeps grinding, landing a single hammerfist before Enkamp rolls for an armbar. Poclit keeps his limb free, and Enkamp attempts a sweep and manages to flip Poclit to his side. An unsuccessful kneebar from Enkamp concludes this match, and judges have their hands full here.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp (30-27 Enkamp)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp (29-28 Enkamp)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Enkamp (29-28 Enkamp)

The Official Result

Luca Poclit def. Oliver Enkamp via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Paula Cristina dos Santos Silva (126) vs. Denise Kielholtz (125.2)

Round 1

The lone women’s match of the billing headlines the preliminary portion of the card, and it comes in the flyweight class. Former title challenger Kielholtz (6-5, 6-4 BMMA) looks to get back on track after dropping three straight fights – including two split decisions – while “Bittencourt” Cristina (6-1, 0-0 BMMA) will be making her Bellator debut today. The ladies decide not to touch gloves in front of referee Kevin MacDonald, who will be the cage commander for the next 15 minutes or less. Kielholtz sticks out several jabs to find her early range, as the shorter woman, and she backpedals as the Brazilian walks her down. Kielholtz keeps her foe honest with swatting strikes, and she dodges the left hook that zooms past her face. Kielholtz splits the guard with a front kick, and she gets stood up with a clean left hook. The pace is tentative and measured, and they take turns striking at one another. Kielholtz reaches with a right hand, but it is her jab that finds the mark. They trade jabs at the same time, and Kielholtz swings up a high kick that is blocked and low kick that is not. Cristina gets off occasional blows, but she overthrows with punches as she slowly meanders forward. Kielholtz catches her foe at the end of a combination, and she checks a leg kick. Cristina swings and misses with a right hand, and Kielholtz snipes her with a left in response. Cristina keeps her high guard up to block a pair of punches, and the left hand from Kielholtz gets through. Kielholtz threads the needle with a few right hands, and the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz

Round 2

Kielholtz starts off the round with a leg kick and a left hand, and Cristina flails back and counters with a left of her own. Cristina walks forward, preparing counters, but Kielholtz is able to beat her to the punch with faster strikes and movement to protect herself from danger. Kielholtz gets off a jab to the chest, and a punch that is more of a push from the Brazilian sits her on her seat. Kielholtz stands right back up, no worse for wear, and she blasts Cristina in the face with a short left hook. Kielholtz smiles at her handiwork, while Cristina blinks it out. Kielholtz strings together a few punches to back her foe off, and her head movement allows her to dodge the jab aimed at her. When Cristina sits down on a leg kick, Kielholtz immediately counters her with a clean left to make her think again. Kielholtz looks to pierce the guard with her jab, and she kicks the lead leg for good measure. Cristina swings and misses with counters, as Kielholtz is in and out before she gets touched. The former title challenger sticks out a jab, and she stands firm a little too long to get smacked by a right hand from “Bittencourt.” Kielholtz continues her nip-tuck style of striking, not overcommitting to much and largely picking away with single blows. Cristina times a punch to pursue a takedown, and Kielholtz defends it and stands her up to thwart it. Kielholtz jabs repeatedly, and when Cristina lands on her, Kielholtz shakes her head dismissively. Kielholtz gets off a leg kick and two hooks, and she parries a haymaker to score a right hand. Kielholtz keeps moving, using two-punch combinations to decent success. After landing three successive blows, Kielholtz takes a step back and the round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz

Round 3

The last round kicks off with an aggressive Cristina, who pushes forward and keeps her guard up to protect herself from Kielholtz fire. The Dutchwoman does just that, attacking with high strikes and low kicks to mix things up. They trade low kicks, with Cristina seemingly reminded that she can use these strike as she gets tagged with a few. Cristina loads up on a big right, and Kielholtz slips it and bops her on the nose with a left. The fans in the building seems less than thrilled with the methodical, but not scintillating, striking affair playing out before them. The fighters continue their pace until the midpoint of the round, when Kielholtz decides to put some power behind her strikes. Cristina provides plenty of pressure but her volume is low, and Kielholtz is comfortable to back away or circle while landing on her. Kielholtz flicks out jabs and follows some but not all with right hands, and Cristina is out of answers. Kielholtz changes stances a few times to further overload the computer of the Brazilian, who is largely relegated in this round to a heavy bag that occasionally swings back with lumbering strikes. Kielholtz loads up on a power right hand, and Cristina tanks it and does not budge. Cristina lands a single jab, and Kielholtz targets the head, body and legs indiscriminately. Kielholtz connects with power strikes, trying to do some damage, and the match ends with a ringing of the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz (30-27 Kielholtz)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz (30-27 Kielholtz)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Kielholtz (30-27 Kielholtz)

The Official Result

Denise Kielholtz def. Paula Cristina dos Santos Silva via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Thibault Gouti (155.6) vs. Kane Mousah (155.2)

Round 1

Kicking off the main card is a lightweight clash as ex-UFC fighter Gouti (16-6, 1-1 BMMA) returns to home soil and aims to stave off aggressive Brit Mousah (14-4, 3-2 BMMA). The 36-year-olds, ready to put on a show, tap their gloves together as referee Jacob Montalvo stands on the sidelines. Gouti comes into this fight with damage on the bridge of his nose before the bell rings, and Mousah is keen on targeting that right out of the gate. Mousah swings with hooks to get Gouti’s attention, and Gouti circles along the outside chopping with leg kicks. Mousah fakes for a takedown to draw a reaction, and chants for “Gouti” rain down in the building. Gouti lashes out at the lead calf, and he is driven back to the fence from the British man’s punches. Gouti swings and misses with a left hook, and he fakes his own level change. Mousah whiffs on a left hook, darting forward to strike but finding Gouti is well out of the way before he can be reached. Gouti strings together two punches right on the button that knock “The Danger” down to the canvas. Mousah jumps right back up as if nothing had happened, and the crowd is excited and chanting Gouti’s name again. Gouti does not rush in recklessly, and Mousah works his way back into the fight and his balance. Gouti reaches him with an uppercut, and Mousah counters with a right hand that sneaks around the guard. Mousah paws out with his fists, and Gouti catches him with a short right hand. When Mousah comes up missing the mark with a combination, he simply shoves Gouti back. Gouti absorbs a left and a right, and he counters with a clean left hook. Mousah shrugs it of to keep advancing, and he has as right hand collide with the shoulder. Gouti stays light on his feet, beating Mousah to the punch with a right hand. Gouti sticks out a jab to the body, and he follows it with a shin to the same spot. Gouti jumps forward with a short hook, and Mousah takes it and tries to fire back but is blocked. Gouti backs up and absorbs a few punches and a knee to the belly, and the round ends while Mousah swings at him.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Gouti
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Gouti
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Gouti

Round 2

Mousah is ready and fired up between rounds, walking Gouti down and slinging hooks. Gouti dodges or protects himself from the advancing fire, and he absorbs a number of calf kick when Mousah changes things up. Mousah shells up when Gouti comes out swinging, and he times his movement to close the distance on Gouti without putting himself in harm. Mousah stabs his toes to the chest with a front kick, and he backs Gouti up to the wall and wings a body kick and several punches. Gouti times the marching Mousah with several left hook, clubbing Mousah upside the head with concussive blows that keep Mousah honest. Gouti raises his leg, only for Mousah to step in and belt him to the body with a few shots. Gouti lands a left to the body and a subsequent left up top, and he catches his man with a short right hand down the pipe. Gouti mixes in body work, and Mousah rams his shin into Gouti’s ribcage in response. Gouti shakes off an overhand right as Mousah swings at him with reckless abandon, until he turns things up a little to fire back. The two fighters take turns striking one another, with smart guards protect from the worst of the attacks but not all of them. Gouti bounces off the wall when taking a right hand from the Brit, who is getting pressured and struggling to find his rhythm. Mousah connects with two big hooks, and Gouti grits his teeth and is loaded for bear. The Frenchman rips a right to the chest, and launches a right hook that blasts Mousah square on the chin. Mousah collapses to his back, his arms splayed out, and it’s a wrap. Montalvo tries to step in to stop the fight, and before he can, Gouti hammers any remaining nails with a couple crushing hammerfists. The crowd goes wild for “GT,” the home country man, and even Mousah gives it up for him after he comes to. What a way to make a statement at home.

The Official Result

Thibault Gouti def. Kane Mousah R2 3:58 via KO (Punches)

Douglas Lima (185.8) vs. Costello van Steenis (185.8)

Round 1

In hopes of rejuvenating his career on the heels of four tough losses, former welterweight kingpin Lima (32-11, 14-7 BMMA) shifts gears to the middleweight category. He previously did so against this event’s headliner Gegard Mousasi, and it ended poorly for “The Phenom.” Another effort in this new weight comes against van Steenis (14-2, 6-1 BMMA), who has lost just once since joining the Bellator ranks in 2017. Action is sure to come fast and furiously, and referee Bryan Miner is prepared for how it plays out. The fighters show an initial sign of respect with a clap of hands, and the middleweight square up in front of one another, coiled and ready to strike. Van Steenis lands the first strike, in the form of a leg kick, instead of Lima. A stomp kick from van Steenis down on the knee is another successful strike, and he avoids a Lima kick. Lima tries to unload a haymaker of a right, and van Steenis blocks it and pursues a takedown. Lima defends it by dropping to a knee and fighting his way up, where he is pushed to the wall. Lima escapes after a brief lull, and he is nearly caught with a spinning back fist on the break. Van Steenis sticks out a jab and a calf kick, and he slips back when Lima replies in kind with the latter. “The Spaniard” strikes with a jumping front kick, and the punches countering from Lima cannot seem to find their home yet. While he checks a calf kick, van Steenis cannot stop a front kick and then a sweeping kick on his rear leg. Van Steenis strikes with a kick to the side, and he jabs the chest and pushes out a front kick and an inaccurate high kick. Lima brushes his overhand right past the jaw of his foe, and he checks a leg kick with an audible thump. Van Steenis goes up high with his shin, and Lima’s high guard protects him in time. Lima doubles up on his jab, looking to decipher his punching distance, and van Steenis backs him off with a kick and a jab. Van Steenis rips a kick to the upper body, and Lima catches it and strikes low with two nasty calf kicks. They trade low kicks, and Lima overextends with a swing to allow van Steenis to scoop him up and deposit him on the canvas. Lima scoots his way back to the wall and upright, and the tense round ends in the tie-up.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 van Steenis
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 van Steenis
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 van Steenis

Round 2

Lima walks out of his corner ready to strike, and he coils back his right hand and does just that. Van Steenis rolls with it and retaliates with a front kick, and he switches stances to parry a push kick response. Lima whips his shin at his foe, and he absorbs a low kick. Van Steenis kicks low and then spins with a back fist, anticipating an aggressive Lima, but Lima does not crash the pocket. Lima flicks out a few jabs, and van Steenis responds with a kick to the side. Lima strikes the calf, and van Steenis appears irritated from these strikes. Lima capitalizes on this to load up with a right hand on the chin, and van Steenis wobbles back and steels himself to swing another spinning back fist. The low kicks from Lima set van Steenis down, and he continues to abuse the calf with kicks while van Steenis is on his back. Miner stands van Steenis up, and Lima is growing in confidence and adding to volume. Lima walks forward fearlessly, with a straight hand that pushes through the guard and a few leg kicks that give van Steenis some pause. The kicks force “The Spaniard” to change stances, and ultimately shoot in from afar for a takedown. Lima stuffs this with ease and spins him around to the wall, where he buries his knee in the thigh of his adversary again and again. The pace slows as the two stall in their offense, and van Steenis attempts to turn the corner to trip his man out and settles for a trip to take the former champion down. With 30 seconds to spare, van Steenis is in the closed guard, with very light hammerfists bopping Lima to no effect. Van Steenis lets go with a single elbow from above before the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lima
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Lima
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Lima

Round 3

To begin the last round, van Steenis lets out a shout, and he paws out a front kick and suddenly swings a hook kick that Lima avoids by a whisker. Lima takes a left hand on the chin, and he shuts down a takedown and shoves van Steenis back dramatically. Lima steps in with a clean right hand, but it is one-and-done as van Steenis is chambering and releasing a high kick to match him. Van Steenis gets off multiple front kicks while Lima comes out swinging, and the former champ tags van Steenis with a blistering right hook that slips around the guard. Van Steenis wobbles back, and Lima stalks him down and batters him with multiple low kicks and a sharp punch combination that eludes the defenses of his opponent. Van Steenis gathers his thoughts and charges in for a double, and he tackles Lima from one side of the cage to the other, dropping Lima to a knee but ultimately not grounding him. Lima breaks away at the midpoint of the last stanza, and he slams his shin on van Steenis’s calf right before van Steenis rushes for a level change. Lima shuts this entry down and gets pushed back to the wall, where he is quick to turn “The Spaniard” to his back. Lima separates and strings together a one-two and a low kick, but all three blows miss the mark. The former champ reaches with a one-two, and he snaps the head back with a sharp jab. Lima sits up and blasts van Steenis perfectly on the calf twice, and van Steenis desperately pursues a takedown after taking those shots. Lima shrugs it off and turns van Steenis back to the wire, where he knees him a few times. The two frantically knee one another from up close right to the final bell.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Lima (29-28 Lima)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Lima (29-28 Lima)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Lima (29-28 Lima)

The Official Result

Douglas Lima def. Costello van Steenis via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Bellator Lightweight Grand Prix Bout:
Mansour Barnaoui (154.6) vs. Brent Primus (154.6)

Round 1

Representing one section of the lightweight quarterfinals, the co-main event will carry on for five rounds if necessary. A replacement for Sidney Outlaw, who tested positive for banned substances, ex-champ Primus (11-3, 9-3 BMMA) is amped up to get back in the saddle as the selected alternate. He enters the cage absolutely pelted by boos, as there is no love for him in the Accor Arena because of his opponent. Primus faces highly touted prospect, Paris’ own Barnaoui (20-4, 1-0 BMMA), who has only gone the distance in one of his 20 pro wins. With four total decision victories across their 31 combined wins, the judges might not be needed while referee Blake Grice almost certainly will. There is no plan for the quarterfinalists to bump fists, as Barnaoui is ready to destroy. The Frenchman comes out aggressively, pushing into a clinch, and he smashes Primus in the face with elbows and short punches. Primus responds with a low takedown effort, only for Barnaoui to knee him square in the face. When Primus gets out of the tie-up, Barnaoui walks him down, bludgeoning him with punches, and his clinch strikes are hurting Primus early and often. Primus changes levels, only to be stonewalled by “The Afro-Samurai.” Primus manages to ground Barnaoui for a moment, but Barnaoui explodes up and turns him around to take the back. Primus is warned for hooking his fingers in the chain links of the fence, and he spins with a back elbow that glances off the dome. Barnaoui connects with several body shots, and a jump knee gets Primus’ attention and busts his nose up. Barnaoui hammers the body with strikes, and the pace is absolutely frantic at this point, especially from the French fighter. Primus winds up with a powerful right hand, generating a surprising amount of velocity from a short distance, and he succeeds in decking Barnaoui and turning him about. Barnaoui spins his foe’s back to the wall once more, and he lets Primus have it with several ferocious elbows. Primus backs away, as Barnaoui lumbers towards him throwing everything at the kitchen sink, and the two batter each other with clinch strikes. Barnaoui aims several left hands to the body and jumps forward with a flying knee, and he jams Primus up to catch his breath. Barnaoui loops an elbow over the top on the break, and he stands and trades with Primus. The former champ stings Barnaoui with a right hand in the midst of a salvo of swings, dislodging the Frenchman's mouthpiece, and Barnaoui stumbles back and reverses course to dive into a takedown try. Primus falls to his back, where he searches for a kimura to sweep or wrench the arm, and the torrid round concludes.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui

Round 2

It’s anyone’s guess if these two can keep up the pace from Round 1, but they darn sure seem to want to try. They come out swinging, with Barnaoui as aggressive as before, and Primus takes advantage of this constant forward movement to trip the French fighter out and take him down. Primus lands in half guard, where he tries to smother Barnaoui and take the wind out of his sails. Instead of mounting much offense, Primus steps to the side and sets up an arm-triangle choke. Barnaoui holds his arm up in the “answer the telephone” defense to block the leverage, and he turns to his side to break up the choke. Primus gets his neck trapped beneath Barnaoui’s arm and has his limb isolated for a potential armlock that Barnaoui attempts, but he is able to smoothly release the grips before falling into danger. The former champ keeps a knee on the belly to trap Barnaoui to his back, and he shifts around from one side to the other in search of full mount. Barnaoui drags him back to the half guard, and he defends himself from most of the strikes from his foe. Primus utilizes his body weight to pin Barnaoui to the canvas, and he scores a few elbows. With 25 seconds left in the round, Barnaoui hits a sweep to flip Primus over, and Primus clings to a two-on-one wrist lock for Barnaoui’s left arm until the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Primus
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Primus
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Primus

Round 3

The lightweights meet in the middle of the cage, and Barnaoui strikes first with several sharp left hands. Primus flails back, with labored swings, and Barnaoui attacks with straighter blows. The jab from the Frenchman finds its home on the chin repeatedly, and Barnaoui walks through leg kicks. Primus loads up on a right hand counter, and he catches Barnaoui unaware multiple times with that same strike. Barnaoui crashes the pocket with a jump knee, and Primus pushes away to not get stuck in the clinch. Barnaoui keeps moving towards him, with knees, elbows and punches all mixed together. Primus looks to escape, sucking wind after this furious pace, and Barnaoui is on him punching him in the face. Primus’ counters are slowing, and Barnaoui is able to line up knees in a Thai clinch so that he can belt Primus in the face again and again. Primus takes several flush elbows until he can get a big right hand off, and he gets clipped with a high knee from “The Afro-Samurai.” The knees from Barnaoui have had an appreciable effect, and he knocks Primus down to the ground from an accumulation of strikes. Barnaoui climbs on top and beats on him with elbows, and he sits in half guard raining them down. Primus clings to his foe’s waist to stifle the offense, and he manages to turn Barnaoui to his back and climb on top. Barnaoui defends with butterfly hooks off his back, and Primus lowers his weight down and sets up a brabo choke. Primus lets it go when the angle is not right, and he pounds on Barnaoui with slow but effective punches. Primus moves to side control and lands a few more blows, and Barnaoui is warned repeatedly for hooking his toes in the cage. The round ends with Primus’ corner outraged about those fence grabs.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Barnaoui

Round 4

The championship rounds are here, and both men appeared to be fighting as if they only expected to be competing for 15 minutes. Barnaoui is the fresher man, at least upon starting the round, as he walks Primus down and lands on him. Primus responds with his power right hand, which has a lot less sting on it now. Barnaoui sticks out several jabs, and Primus follows one with a right hand over the top. The former champ clubs Barnaoui in the face, and Barnaoui responds with a jumping knee. Primus punches his way into a takedown attempt, having eaten the knee flush and tanked it, and he strips Barnaoui’s leg out beneath him and dumps him to the ground. Barnaoui threatens with one of his legs to lock down Primus’ shoulder, but Primus is wise to it and slides past it. Primus flows into mount, and he instantly hunts for an arm-triangle choke. Primus steps over to side control to lock it down, and he drops his hip down to complete it. Barnaoui toughs it out, and Primus moves back to the half guard while still squeezing on the choke. Barnaoui has his arm between his own head and Primus’ shoulder, and Grice checks on Barnaoui’s hand to make sure he is still in the fight – he is. Primus is hanging on with this choke in half guard, still pressing his weight down but not oversqueezing to totally burn out his arms. Barnaoui looks to buck out by rolling to his side, and Primus takes his back in the process as they slowly but madly scramble. The round ends in an odd position.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Primus
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Primus
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Primus

Round 5

This last round may be for all the marbles, as these two might be tied up with five minutes left to work. They fight like that is the case, trading fists one after the other, sparing no energy and giving it everything they have. Primus scores, Barnaoui responds, and Primus tags him back. They land one after the other, grabbing the other with one arm and slugging with the free arm. This leads to a Primus takedown, as Barnaoui has no more gas in his defensive wrestling tank. The former champ lands right in half guard, and Barnaoui is turned to his side in hopes of standing or getting out. Primus smothers him down flat, where he smacks Barnaoui with unanswered right hands. Barnaoui somehow turns to his knees, willing himself into the position, and Primus follows him and keeps him stuck on his knees with his body weight. Barnaoui rolls, and Primus briefly considers a back take but instead elects to get back on top. When Barnaoui turns once more, Primus does secure the back take, and he latches on to a body lock and starts softening the Frenchman up with punches on either side of the head. Primus flirts with a rear-naked choke when not whacking Barnaoui with a free hand, and Barnaoui is singularly focused on defending a choke setup as he grabs both hands on a single wrist. Primus slides his right forearm on the chin, and he slowly works it to turn it into a rear-naked choke. Barnaoui fights the hand behind his head, and Primus has to readjust his grip. There is no submission here, as Barnaoui toughs it out all the way to the end. The two exhausted sportsmen embrace after 25 grueling minutes of combat, and the victor will have the honor of facing unbeaten champ Usman Nurmagomedov in a few months.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Primus (48-47 Primus)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Primus (48-47 Primus)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Primus (48-47 Primus)

The Official Result

Brent Primus def. Mansour Barnaoui via Unanimous Decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)

Gegard Mousasi (185.6) vs. Fabian Edwards (184.8)

Round 1

Ahead of a potential turning point match in his career, 37-year-old legend – depending on who you ask – Mousasi (49-8-2, 7-2 BMMA) was clear that the end may be near sooner than later. In this Bellator 296 main event, “The Dreamcatcher” vies for win no. 50, a rare feat in the sport among those to compete in the major leagues. To get there, he will have to go through resurgent up-and-comer Edwards (11-2, 7-2 BMMA), brother of current UFC champion Leon Edwards. The middleweights will duke it out under the watchful eye of referee Kevin MacDonald, and there is a stoic glove touch to get things started. Mousasi claims the middle of the cage in a hurry, and he swings out a high kick that Edwards easily avoids. Mousasi kicks low, and he pins the fall of his foot on Edwards’ chest. Mousasi stays active with a leg kick, and Edwards replies in kind. Edwards scores a left hand to back Mousasi up briefly, but Mousasi is unfazed and keeps moving forward. As Mousasi lets loose a low kick, it slides up and bounces off the cup. MacDonald calls the foul when seeing it, and he allows Edwards to take all the time he needs to clear out the discomfort. When he is good to go, the two meet and bump fists to make sure there was no ill will resulting from it. Mousasi walks the younger Edwards down, tossing out kicks and not getting struck much in response. Edwards lunges with a left, and Mousasi responds with a body kick. Mousasi catches a kick to his ribs, and considers a level change, but abandons it. Mousasi throws a low kick naked, and Edwards counters with a right hand and a short combo. Edwards gets off a left hand when Mousasi chips at his lead wheel, and this does not dissuade Mousasi from continuing to work on it. Mousasi stomps at the knee and attacks with a jab, and he eats a body kick shortly thereafter. Mousasi dodges two looping punches, and he blocks the body kick this time around. Edwards sneaks in a left, and he keeps prodding the lead leg of his foe. One such kick makes Edwards take a funny step, and he backs Edwards to the cage to reach him with a one-two. Edwards sticks out several jabs, and every one is parried. Neither man is willing to open up with anything of note, and the tepid round comes to a close.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Edwards

Round 2

The second round begins with Edwards landing flush with a right hand, driving Mousasi back in the opening. Mousasi slowly moves back into range, where he resumes feeding Edwards a steady diet of annoying leg kicks. Edwards reaches him with a looping left hook, and Mousasi responds with three punches and a kick. As Mousasi continues to throw, Edwards changes levels and dumps “The Dreamcatcher” down to the floor. Mousasi is warned for punching the back of the head, as Edwards clings to Mousasi without offering any offense. Mousasi nearly sweeps the younger fighter, putting Edwards entirely vertical, but he cannot quite flip Edwards over. Mousasi keeps a butterfly guard to not let Edwards settle down on top of him, and Edwards elects to simply maintain position over submission or damage. The longtime vet scoots his way to the wall, where he sits up and eventually stands. Edwards falls off the back, and Mousasi follows him to the ground and smashes him in the face with punches. As Mousasi is assaulting Edwards, he throws a knee to the chest that ends up grazing the chin of his opponent. MacDonald halts the match immediately from the foul, and he sends Mousasi to a neutral corner to allow Edwards to recover. Edwards rubs his ear and the side of his head, appearing compromised from the illegal knee. MacDonald checks on the condition of Edwards, and he issues a hard warning to Mousasi but does not deduct a point. Edwards complains that Mousasi is getting away with it, and the fight resumes. Edwards lands several low kicks, and Mousasi falls to his back and goads Edwards into following him down. Edwards does not oblige, instead cracking Mousasi with a right hand in the midst of a series of kicks. Edwards forces the veteran to fight off his back foot, and Mousasi counters with a sharp left hook as Edwards comes forward. The back-and-forth round wraps.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi

Round 3

The two middleweights tap gloves to re-engage, and Edwards flashes out a rapid one-two. Mousasi scores a left hand and ducks a left hook that brushes past his hair, and the two are both preparing to counter the other. Edwards steps in with a knee to the body, and he pushes off with his right hand and scrapes Mousasi in the eye. At the same time, a piece of Mousasi’s shorts is coming off, so MacDonald pauses the action to both clip the hanging thread and allow Mousasi to blink it out. The two fighters get back to it before long, and Edwards is active with a long series of jabs. Mousasi walks him down, and he darts in with two punches that Edwards dodges. Mousasi walks into a body kick after scoring a couple jabs, and Edwards leans back from a speedy left hook that blazes past his mug. Mousasi drives him back with a few punches, and Edwards tries to regain ground with multiple jabs. Mousasi ducks a telegraphed punch and bends down right to a knee, and Edwards aims a subsequent kick to the breadbasket. Mousasi lumbers forward, giving chase to an active Edwards, and the Brit lands several kicks on the outside and evades a big right hand. Mousasi connects with a front kick to the midsection, and Edwards walks forward to connect with a combo. When Mousasi jabs once, Edwards does twice and follows with a left to the body. The youthful Edwards does this again with another left to the liver, and he hops back as Mousasi crashes in with a right hand. The bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Edwards
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Edwards

Round 4

The main event rounds are reached, and Edwards is still energized and ready to meet the veteran wherever they go. Mousasi strikes, and Edwards is able to partially deflect it as he backs off. Mousasi dodges a big punch to counter, and the two trade front kicks up the middle. Mousasi blitzes, landing four or five punches in rapid succession, and Edwards escapes by the skin of his teeth. Edwards stands in front of his man, throwing hands, and Mousasi fights off a leg kick and the two clinch up. The vet punches twice before changing levels for a double, and he easily takes Edwards down and assumes full mount. Edwards turns to his stomach, and Mousasi’s punches inadvertently land on the back of the head as Edwards twists. Mousasi drives down several right hands until the young fighter climbs back up, and Mousasi deftly trips him out and puts him back down again. Edwards fights off the body lock before Mousasi can secure one more mat return, and he returns to his preferred distance. Mousasi walks him down, ignoring body kicks, and he lands a left hand and fakes a takedown. Mousasi backs Edwards up with a punch, and he goes after a double that is stopped. Mousasi has a high knee glance off the upper chest, and Edwards throws Mousasi with all his might with 10 seconds to spare. Mousasi lands on the mat with a thud, and the round ends before Edwards can do anything with it.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Mousasi

Round 5

The last round opens with a body kick from the veteran, who is met with one in response. The two middleweights trade these body and front kicks one after the other, and they then decide to go tit-for-tat with kicks to the thigh. Mousasi catches his man with a short right hand, and he steps in with a one-two that forces Edwards to tie him up. Edwards trips him up and puts Mousasi on the ground, and he latches onto a body lock and secures Mousasi’s back. Mousasi turns around to the cage to get out of it, and he breaks the body lock but cannot get Edwards off of him. Edwards gets both hooks in, and he manages to get the body triangle back. Mousasi punches his foe from behind his own head, and he is warned for hooking his fingers inside his foe’s gloves. Edwards cannot come close to setting up a submission, as Mousasi is too slick and defensively sound. With 30 seconds left in the fight, Mousasi survives as Edwards fishes for a choke. Edwards cannot get it done, but he does ride out the rest of the fight holding Mousasi’s back. The scorecards could be all over the map here, and the event is over after 10 decisions in 14 fights. When the decision is issued, Edwards has earned undoubtedly the biggest win of his career. Champion Johnny Eblen comes into the cage, and the two men start jawing. A shove concludes the staredown, and the security detail has to separate the two from a silly fracas. Eblen and Edwards will square off in Dublin on September 23 for the strap. We will be here for it, and we hope you are too.

Sherdog Scores

Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Mousasi)
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Edwards)
Lev Pisarsky scores the round: 10-9 Edwards (48-47 Edwards)

The Official Result

Fabian Edwards def. Gegard Mousasi via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)