Bellator 216 Results: 9-year undefeated streak ends, 20-year-old female fighter debuts

#4 Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson (Heavyweight)

This mouth-watering heavyweight showdown ought to have been an explosive affair as the sprawl-and-brawl legends were about to meet inside the cage for the second time.

Nelson (26-13) got the better of Cro Cop (37-11-2) in their first encounter in the UFC but Cro Cop had the momentum on his side this time around, as he hadn't lost in his last nine fights heading into his Bellator debut at 44 years of age. Did the 42-year-old Big Country get back on the winning ways against the PRIDE legend?

Round 1: Nelson came out flashing the jab as Cro Cop wisely circled around in southpaw. Nelson used his right hand as a decoy to close the distance but Cro Cop stuffed the takedown attempt.

Nelson shot for a single leg yet again but Cro Cop, as we all know, isn't easy to get down to the mat. Nelson kept pressing and got Cro Cop onto the cage. Nelson kept up the pressure but couldn't get Cro Cop down. Cro Cop tagged Nelson with a few shots but we all know Big Country's iron chin can probably even take Hulk's punch.

The fans chanted for 'Mirko' as he connected with a powerful left body liver kick. Nelson closed the distance immediately. Cro Cop landed a left uppercut on the inside at the end of the round.

Round 2: Nelson shot for the takedown from the get-go but Cro Cop did well to avoid going down. Cro Cop kept stuffing the takedown attempts.

This was a great back-and-forth round in terms of the stand-up as both men had their moments. Cro Cop continued to chop away with the kicks and landed a few jabs and straight lefts.

Nelson ended the round on a high with a few hooks and knees. However, Cro Cop won the round as he had more significant strikes and defended all of Nelson's takedowns.

Round 3: Cro Cop targeted Nelson's leg. Nelson went for another takedown. Stuffed. Cro Cop continued to show incredible takedown defense as he first avoided a wild right and then avoided going down using the under hooks.

Nelson did well to close down the distance all throughout the fight but just couldn't take Cro Cop down. He finally got the takedown within a minute to go until the end of the round. Little too late?

Nelson tried to land the ground and pound from the top until the final bell rang.

Result: Mirko Cro Cop def. Roy Nelson via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Cro Cop got his revenge against Nelson in his first Bellator fight which extended his winning streak to ten. Darn good for a 44-year-old, ain't it?