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Bellator 207 was the first of a two-event weekend from Bellator MMA. Coming the weekend after UFC 229 last weekend, this was a big start for Bellator's event weekend.
With Bellator 208 coming up tomorrow, featuring Fedor and Sonnen, Mixed Martial Arts fans are not in for any dearth of content this week. You can see what you have to look forward to on Bellator 208 here.
The main event of Bellator 207 puts together Ryan Bader and Matt Mitrione in the semi-final of the Bellator Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament. The two fighters were both the favourites to be winning the tournament, so when they ended up facing each other in the semi-final instead, MMA fans were justifiably disappointed, as they potentially missed out on an immense final clash. On the other hand, with Fedor and Sonnen being the pairing from the other side of things, there is no way this fight is going to be disappointing.
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On top of that, the fans were not robbed of Bader and Mitrione fighting, as the two did end up facing each other in the semi-final main event of the night.
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The co-main event was brilliant as well, with Roy Nelson and Sergei Kharitonov facing each other in the fight.
Before delving into the main card results from the night, let's take a look at what happened in the Preliminary Undercard of the night.
Undercard:
- Mike Kimbel vs. Alex Potts: Mike Kimbel defeated Alex Potts via Knockout (6 Seconds, 1st Round)
- Kastriot Xhema vs. Pat Casey: Pat Casey defeated Kastriot Xhema via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
- Sinead Kavanagh vs. Janay Harding: Janay Harding defeated Sinead Kavanagh via TKO (5 Minutes, 1st Round)
- Lisa Blaine vs. Alexandra Ballou: Alexander Ballou defeated Lisa Blaine via Knockout (3 minutes and 28 seconds, 3rd Round)
- Andre Fialho vs. Javier Torres: Andre Fialho defeated Javier Torres via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Kristi Lopez vs. Sarah Click: Sarah Click defeated Kristi Lopez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
The Undercard delivered in a big way, with each fight showing why the card was important. Moving onto the main card now, let's take a look at what happened in each fight of the night.
#1 Carrington Banks vs. Mandel Nello
Round 1: Mandel Nallo started off really strong, trying to push Banks again and again with kicks. Nallo hit Banks with a big kick which forced him back, following which Nallo got the takedown. It was all-Nallo till this point, as he tried to lock in the Anaconda. Banks escaped but was forced back down yet again. Banks finally escaped and got up, taking Nallo down. This time Nallo was unable to get up, but at the same time, Banks was not able to pick up the win by taking advantage either, with both fighters simply lasting out the round.
Round 2: Only 57 seconds into the second round, Nallo hit a devastating knee, and that was all she wrote for Banks. Banks was instantly out, and nothing more was needed there.
Result: Mandel Nallo defeated Carrington Banks via Knockout (57 seconds, 2nd Round)
#2 Kevin “Baby Slice” Ferguson Jr. vs. Corey Browning
Round 1: Kevin Ferguson Jr. had an impressive record heading into the fight as he had a record for first-round wins. He was looking for a knockout from the very beginning, and the knees that he landed early on, made sure that Corey Browning looked dazed and confused. Browning was quick with attempted submissions, as the two of them were on the ground wrestling. 'Baby Slice' had not had a single loss since his first defeat in his debut.
Corey Browning took advantage in the first round as he slowed things down with technique, looking to get Kevin 'Baby Slice' Ferguson Jr. in a Crucifix. In that position, Browning pounded Ferguson Jr. over and over again, but 'Baby Slice' was able to last out the round!
Round 2: Kevin Ferguson Jr. hit Browning with a shot at the beginning of the second round, but Browning got the shot as well, which dropped 'Baby Slice'. The drop was what Browning needed as he tried to take advantage. Ferguson Jr.'s guard was enough, to last out on that occasion, and he got to the top of Browning for an attempted Rear-Naked Choke. Browning reversed, and he turned things around with exhaustion getting the better of Ferguson Jr. as he took shot after shot to the head from Corey Browning. The official had to stop the fight and Browning won the fight.
Result: Corey Browning defeated Kevin "Baby Slice" Ferguson Jr. via TKO (2 minutes and 8 seconds, 2nd Round)
#3 Lorenz Larkin vs. Ion Pascu
Round 1: Lorenz Larkin and Ion Pascu faced each other in the Welterweight fight of the night. Larkin had predicted that the fight would not be making it to the judge's card heading into the fight and that's how he approached it. The winner of the fight was set to become the alternate in the Welterweight World Grand Prix of Bellator. Larkin was slammed against the cage by Pascu, and while Larkin did not allow him to take him down to the ground, he was hit with knees which shook him.
Larkin hit Pascu with a heavy kick, but both fighters checked each other in the first round, with neither fighters getting an actual crucial blow. The fighters understood how the other was prepped for their fight in the first round, with the final minute seeing kicks exchanged. Larkin was a slippery customer, as Pascu was not able to take him down in the usual manner that he does.
Round 2: Ian Pascu came in hard at the beginning of the 2nd round, as Pascu hit a huge knee to Larkin's diaphragm. The two dodged around each other, with Larkin hit Pascu with a big knee that hurt him. Pascu kept trying for the takedown, but each time Larkin was able to resist the move. Pascu got a one-leg and dropped Larkin, but the fighter popped back right up immediately and hit Pascu with the elbow instead, bringing an end to the second round.
Round 3: The final round saw both fighters looking to get the last minute advantages. Larkin hit the big heavy kick on his opponent, keeping Pascu at a distance. Pascu finally got Larkin down and got on top of him, but Larkin got Full Guard. Pascu sneaked off some shots, but Larkin got a few of his own off the ground as well. In the final moments of the fight, Larkin continued on the ground, looking to keep Pascu close to prevent the big shots. Pascu locked in an ankle lock, but Larkin managed to get on top of him just as the fight came to an end.
Result: Lorenz Larkin defeated Ion Pascu via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
#4 Roy 'Big Country' Nelson vs. Sergei Kharitonov
Round 1: Roy Nelson came into the fight looking for a big win after a long time against Sergei Kharitonov. Kharitonov was definitely the hated fighter in this fight, and he did not help his cause with an illegal knee to the head of the downed Roy Nelson. The fight had to be paused while Nelson recovered.
Being Roy Nelson, he did not stop fighting, in his 39th professional fight. He came back with hard shots of his own. Roy connected more and better fists, as he kept firing and hitting Kharitonov, who looked more eager to dodge the shots. Roy missed a big hook but came back with a back fist. Kharitonov connected with a few hard shots which left Roy shaken. Kharitonov landed shot after shot, but Roy Nelson typically does not fall easily.
Things looked bad for Nelson and Kharitonov actually knocked out Roy Nelson in the final second of the first round, as he hit a right hand, a left hand, an uppercut, knees, and then another two uppercuts.
No one could have survived the shots from Sergei Kharitonov and on this occasion, Roy Nelson was no different, as he suffered his third stoppage loss of his career and his first stoppage since 2014.
Result: Sergei Kharitonov defeated Roy Nelson via Knockout (4 Minutes 59 Seconds, 1st Round)
#5 Ryan Bader vs. Matt Mitrione
Round 1: Matt Mitrione was taken down by Ryan Bader early in the first round. Bader took control of proceedings fast, as he struggled to keep Mitrione down. Mitrione got to his feet but was taken down immediately again. Mitrione got up yet again but was brought down by Bader.
Bader was on the back of Mitrione and pounded his head. Mitrione was able to survive the assault and moved about as he tried to struggle out of the lock. Bader went to the body when he blocked the headshots, and when Mitrione stopped body shots, Bader went for headshots and a submission attempt.
Mitrione looked bad and completely exhausted in the 1st round, as it came to an end. Mitrione only looked to survive as it was obvious he would not be getting any offence in.
Round 2: Ryan Bader took Mitrione down in the second round immediately. Bader kept at Mitrione, who was obviously completely drained in the round. He was hardly able to put up any offence, as he was almost hooked into a Kimura.
Matt Mitrione might have trained for wrestling, but there was nothing possibly that could have prepared him for Bader. Mitrione finally got up at the end of the 2nd round, but it was a dominant one for Bader.
Round 3: The third round started with a predictable takedown by Bader on Matt Mitrione. Matt got up once but was brought down. Bader completely bossed Mitrione, but Matt Mitrione deserved credit for sticking it out nonetheless. Bader pounded away at Mitrione looking for a Knockout, but while he drowned Mitrione with takedowns he could knock him out.
Result: Ryan Bader defeated Matt Mitrione via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-24, 30-25)
Ryan Bader got through to the final of the Heavyweight Grand Prix. Tune in to Bellator 208 tomorrow, and get all your results for Bellator MMA from Sportskeeda!
Who do you think will win between Fedor and Sonnen tomorrow? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!
