Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
See the top Twitter reactions to Corey Anderson’s TKO win over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 251.
[autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] was successful in his Bellator debut on Thursday when he beat [autotag]Melvin Manhoef[/autotag] in the Bellator 251 main event.
Following a 14-fight UFC stint, Anderson (14-4 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) crossed over to a new promotion and earned a second-round TKO victory over Manhoef (32-15-1 MMA, 4-4 BMMA) in the light heavyweight headliner, which took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
At first, it looked like a no-contest was on the way, but then Mike Beltran went to the videotape.
It wouldn’t be a Bellator event if there wasn’t a crazy sequence due to an apparent illegal blow, would it?
But at Bellator 251, there was a twist in things. In the main-card opener between [autotag]Derek Anderson[/autotag] and [autotag]Killys Mota[/autotag] on Thursday night at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., Anderson (76-3 MMA, 8-3 BMMA) hit Mota (12-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) with what at first appeared to be an illegal kick to a downed Mota.
And when Mota was unable to respond after the kick, which landed flush on the jaw, that made it appear the fight would be yet another in a preponderance of no contests due to illegal strikes in recent Bellator cards.
[lawrence-related id=564222,563867]
But the Mogehan Tribal Commission allows for the usage of instant replay in such situation. Upon viewing the replay, referee Mike Beltran ruled the strike legal. it was actually a magnificently timed kick, which landed flush a split second after Mota, who was attempting to get back to his feet, lifted his knee off that mat, making him no longer a grounded fighter.
The bout goes into the book as a head-kick KO victory for Anderson at 4:27 of the second round.
You can catch the fantastic finish in the video below:
LEGAL shot by Derek Anderson (@DerekBarbaric) 😅😅#Bellator251 | Full results: https://t.co/84d5RQYPrc pic.twitter.com/YH5q0dziC3
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) November 6, 2020
Join us for a live stream of the Bellator 251 prelims and complete official results from the event.
Bellator 251 takes place Thursday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 4:45 p.m. ET (1:45 p.m. PT).
The event takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.
In the main event, former UFC light heavyweight contender [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag] (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) makes his promotional debut against veteran striker [autotag]Melvin Manhoef[/autotag] (32-14-1 MMA, 4-3 BMMA).
Official Bellator 251 results:
MAIN CARD (CBS Sports Network/DAZN, 7 p.m. ET)
PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 4:45 p.m. ET)
Following Bellator 251 weigh-ins, the athletes came face to face for traditional pre-fight staredowns.
UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator returns this week with the promotional debut of a former UFC light heavyweight contender.
Bellator 251 takes place Thursday at Mohegan Sun Arena. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Following Wednesday’s official Bellator 251 weigh-ins, the athletes came face to face for some traditional pre-fight faceoffs.
Check out faceoffs below, including headliners [autotag]Melvin Manhoef[/autotag] and [autotag]Corey Anderson/autotag], who makes his promotional debut since coming over from the UFC.
