Tag: Bellator 266

Bellator 266 results: Neiman Gracie brutalizes Mark Lemminger with punches for first career TKO

It was a quick and successful night of work for Neiman Gracie at Bellator 266.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – [autotag]Neiman Gracie[/autotag] has a last name known for grappling prowess, yet his hands were on full display Saturday at Bellator 266.

In the card’s co-main event at SAP Center, Gracie (11-2 MMA, 9-2 BMMA) wasted no time in finishing Mark Lemminger (12-4 MMA, 2-3 BMMA) with strikes at 1:27 of Round 1 to earn the first TKO victory of his professional MMA career.

The fight took place exclusively on the feet with both fighters circling. Gracie was the aggressor while Lemminger circled backward. Gracie hit Lemminger with an overhand right that sent his opponent backward, but it was an uppercut that really marked the beginning of the end for the American.

With Lemminger stunned against the fence, Gracie unleashed a flurry of punches. Referee Jason Herzog eventually jumped in and saved Lemminger, who remained on his feet the entire time but who was not intelligently defending himself.

With the win, Gracie reenters the win column after a unanimous decision loss to Jason Jackson at Bellator 255 in April. Over the span of his most recent four fights, Gracie is 2-2. In 11 professional victories, Gracie has 10 wins inside the distance.

As for Lemminger, the 28-year-old has lost three of his past four fights. Saturday’s fight marked the first on a new multifight deal he signed with the promotion. Three of his four career losses have come via TKO.

  • Phil Davis vs. Yoel Romero
  • Neiman Gracie def. Mark Lemminger via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:27
  • DeAnna Bennett def. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Saul Rogers def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Ben Parrish def. Christian Edwards via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
  • Alex Polizzi def. Grant Neal via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Anthony Adams def. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Bobby Seronio III def. Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
  • Abraham Vaesauvia def. Albert Gonzales via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:17
  • Shane Keefe def. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Edwin De Los Santos def. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:29
  • Jesse Delgado def. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

[vertical-gallery id=1029492]

Bellator 266 results: DeAnna Bennett decisions Alejandra Lara in dominant showing

DeAnna Bennett picked up a memorable win by outpointing Alejandra Lara at Bellator 266.

[autotag]DeAnna Bennett[/autotag]’s first Bellator win was one to remember.

The Bellator women’s flyweight picked up a dominant decision win over [autotag]Alejandra Lara[/autotag] on Saturday at Bellator 266. Bennett (11-7-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) won 30-27, 30-26 and 30-26 on the judges’ scorecards at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif.

It was a special moment for Bennett, as she was fighting close to her hometown and in a venue that had an emotional tie for her. She dedicated the victory to her late father, who used to work in the venue as a police officer.

In the first round, Lara (9-5 MMA, 3-4 BMMA) was tagging up Bennett early with hard kicks and punches. Bennett kept the pressure, but Lara managed to maintain distance and to keep her striking flowing. Around two minutes in the round, Bennett got Lara’s back after a successful trip. She looked for the submission and landed heavy ground-and-pound on Lara from the back mount. It was a strong round by Bennett.

Round 2 was closer, but Bennett was still dictating the action. The two exchanged shots on the feet for the majority of the round. Bennett did most of the pressuring and landed the cleaner shots. Lara was not able to find her rhythm,

In the final round, Lara was able to catch a second wind. The striking exchanges on the feet were more even, but once again Bennett was getting the better of the exchanges. The Colombian fighter took down Bennett in the last minute of the round and controlled the fight until the final bell.

[lawrence-related id=1023528,1038537]

With this result, Bennett snapped a three-fight losing streak. It was also her first victory since signing with Bellator in late 2020. Bennett did miss weight for the fight, coming in 3.2 pounds over the flyweight limit.

On the other hand, Lara is now on a two-fight skid. She was coming off a split decision loss to Kana Watanabe back in April, which put an end to her a two-fight winning streak.

Updated Bellator 266 results include:

  • DeAnna Bennett def. Alejandra Lara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Saul Rogers def. Georgi Karakhanyan via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
  • Ben Parrish def. Christian Edwards via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
  • Alex Polizzi def. Grant Neal via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Anthony Adams def. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Bobby Seronio III def. Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
  • Abraham Vaesauvia def. Albert Gonzales via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:17
  • Shane Keefe def. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Edwin De Los Santos def. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:29
  • Jesse Delgado def. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

[vertical-gallery id=1029492]

6-to-1 underdog ‘Big Tuna’ knocks out top prospect Christian Edwards at Bellator 266

Check out the video of when Ben Parrish sent the SAP Center into a frenzy with a massive knockout of rising star Christian Edwards.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – “Big Tuna” was a massive underdog going into Bellator 266, but he defied the odds in a matter of seconds.

Some online sportsbooks had [autotag]Ben Parrish[/autotag] as high as a 6-to-1 underdog against rising star [autotag]Christian Edwards[/autotag]. So when Parrish (5-1 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) knocked out Edwards (5-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) with a series of punches 38 seconds into Round 1, the SAP Center was sent into a frenzy.

A hard overhand left started off the finishing sequence. As Edwards crumpled to the canvas, Parrish poured on a series of punches that put the lights out.

Check out the knockout and reaction below:

Bellator 266 took place Saturday at SAP Center. The main card aired on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

  • Ben Parrish def. Christian Edwards via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:38
  • Alex Polizzi def. Grant Neal via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Anthony Adams def. Khalid Murtazaliev via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Bobby Seronio III def. Socrates Hernandez via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-26, 29-26)
  • Abraham Vaesauvia def. Albert Gonzales via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 2:17
  • Shane Keefe def. Rhalan Gracie via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Edwin De Los Santos def. Jon Adams via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:29
  • Jesse Delgado def. Joshua Dillon via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

[vertical-gallery id=1029492]

Bellator 266 live and official results

Bellator 266 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

Bellator 266 takes place Saturday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the main event, former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis (22-6 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) takes on former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who is making his highly anticipated Bellator debut.

Official Bellator 266 results include:

MAIN CARD (10 p.m. ET, Showtime)

  • Phil Davis vs. Yoel Romero
  • Neiman Gracie vs. Mark Lemminger
  • DeAnna Bennett vs. Alejandra Lara
  • Georgi Karakhanyan vs. Saul Rogers
  • Christian Edwards vs. Ben Parrish

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Grant Neal vs. Alex Polizzi
  • Anthony Adams vs. Khalid Murtazaliev
  • Albert Gonzales vs. Abraham Vaesau
  • Socrates Hernandez vs. Bobby Seronio III
  • Rhalan Gracie vs. Shane Keefe
  • Jon Adams vs. Edwin De Los Santos
  • Jesse Delgado vs. Joshua Dillon

Bellator 266 faceoff video highlights: Phil Davis, Yoel Romero size each other up

One final time before Bellator 266, Phil Davis, Yoel Romero and the rest of the card went face to face at the ceremonial weigh-ins.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Bellator makes its return Saturday, and the promotion is featuring a key light heavyweight contender bout atop the card.

Bellator 266 takes place at SAP Center with the main card airing on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie. In the main event, former UFC middleweight title challenger Yoel Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) returns to light heavyweight to battle former Bellator champion Phil Davis (22-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC).

In the co-main event, submission ace and top welterweight contender Neiman Gracie (10-2 MMA, 8-2 BMMA) takes on recently re-signed Mark Lemminger (12-3 MMA, 2-2 BMMA) as both fighters look to climb the divisional ranks.

Following Friday’s Bellator 266 official weigh-ins, the fighters came face to face for some traditional pre-fight staredowns.

Check out the faceoffs below, including Davis vs. Romero, Gracie vs. Lemminger, DeAnna Bennett vs. Alejandra Lara, and more.

 

Video: Watch Friday’s Bellator 266 ceremonial weigh-ins live on MMA Junkie at 5 p.m. ET

Check out a live video stream of the Bellator 266 ceremonial weigh-ins.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Bellator 266 ceremonial fighter weigh-ins take place Friday, and you can catch a live video stream of the proceedings here on MMA Junkie at 5 p.m. ET (2 p.m. PT).

The weigh-ins take place at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The same venue hosts Saturday’s event, which has a main card on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In addition to the video stream above, you can check out the early and official Bellator 266 weigh-in results from earlier in the day.

Bellator 266 weigh-in results

Check out the results from the official Bellator 266 fighter weigh-ins.

SAN JOSE, Calif. – MMA Junkie is on scene and reporting live from Friday’s official Bellator 266 fighter weigh-ins.

The weigh-ins take place at the Bellator host hotel in San Jose, Calif. The SAP Center in San Jose hosts Saturday’s event. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Among those weighing in are former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis (22-6 MMA, 9-3 BMMA) and Yoel Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA), who makes his Bellator debut in the main event.

The full Bellator 266 weigh-in results include:

MAIN CARD (10 p.m. ET, Showtime)

  • Phil Davis () vs. Yoel Romero ()
  • Neiman Gracie () vs. Mark Lemminger ()
  • DeAnna Bennett () vs. Alejandra Lara ()
  • Georgi Karakhanyan () vs. Saul Rogers ()
  • Christian Edwards () vs. Ben Parrish ()

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Grant Neal () vs. Alex Polizzi ()
  • Anthony Adams () vs. Khalid Murtazaliev ()
  • Albert Gonzales () vs. Abraham Vaesau ()
  • Erick Gunha () vs. Bobby Seronio III ()
  • Rhalan Gracie () vs. Shane Keefe ()
  • Eddie Abasolo () vs. Art Hernandez ()
  • Jon Adams () vs. Edwin De Los Santos ()
  • Jesse Delgado () vs. Joshua Dillon ()

Phil Davis expects Yoel Romero to be just as powerful as ‘any other light heavyweight’ at Bellator 266

Phil Davis looks to rebound at Bellator 266 against a very dangerous Yoel Romero who is making his promotional debut.

Former Bellator champion [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag] is looking to reach the pinnacle of the light heavyweight division once again but has a tough test to pass first on Saturday.

Davis (22-6 MMA, 9-3 BMMA), who is looking to rebound from a title challenge loss to Vadim Nemkov at Bellator 257, has an explosive and powerful opponent in his way in Yoel Romero (13-5 MMA, 0-0 BMMA).

The bout serves as the main event of Bellator 266, which takes place at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET following preliminary bouts on MMA Junkie starting at 7 p.m. ET.

“I think he’ll be just like any other light heavyweight,” Davis told MMA Junkie when asked about Romero’s size and abilities in moving up a weight class. “Extremely powerful, strong, quick – you just gotta work with what you get once you get there.”

Davis expects the former UFC middleweight title challenger will have made the necessary adjustments to be well-prepared for the change in weight, given the amount of time he’s been away from action. Romero’s last outing was a unanimous decision loss in a title fight against Israel Adesanya at UFC 248 in March 2020.

Despite moving to Bellator coming off a loss, Davis remained excited for the opportunity to take on Romero when it was announced that he signed with the promotion in December.

“Any time you have a guy like him, my mind immediately goes towards, ‘I can’t wait to test my skills against him,'” Davis said. “I know that’s sort of like a weird thing, because a spectator would be like, ‘I would not want to be in there (with Romero),’ but I definitely want to be in there.”

Knowing that Romero is a big name, Davis believes a victory over him would be very good for his positioning in the division but said that it was not a motivating factor in preparation to set himself up for another title shot. The fight against a tough opponent like Romero, who he was a fan of during his UFC tenure.

Both fighters will be entering the Bellator cage coming off title losses, but Davis sees his shortcoming as an opportunity to grow ahead of one of the biggest fights in his career.

“You get fights like that and it’s an opportunity to grow,” Davis said. “Just like anything in life gives you, it’s an opportunity to learn from it, grow from it, and keep moving.”

Watch the full pre-fight interview with Phil Davis in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=551557]

[listicle id=1004776]

Bellator 266’s Christian Edwards admires Anderson Silva, but he has no desire to fight into his 40s

“I’m making as much cash as I can as early as I can, and I’m getting the f*ck out.”

SAN JOSE, Calif. – [autotag]Christian Edwards[/autotag] spoke with the media Thursday ahead of his light heavyweight fight with Ben Parrish at Bellator 266.

Edwards (5-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) shared how surprised he was that his fight with Parrish (4-1 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was rebooked for a third time after twice falling off, given that he expected a bump up in competition. Edwards also praised Anderson Silva, whom he called “my guy growing up,” for his success in boxing. But at 22, Edwards said he already knows he doesn’t want to follow the footsteps of his idol and fight well into his 40s.

“I’m talking about the (Georges St-Pierre) plan,” Edwards said. “I’m making as much cash as I can as early as I can, and I’m getting the f*ck out. I want to make enough money to be good for life, and I want to be able to read bedtime stories to my kids. Yeah, no, I don’t want to do this into my 40s.”

You can watch Edwards’ full interview in the video above.

Bellator 266 takes place Saturday at SAP Center and airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

[listicle id=1004776]

Bellator 266 breakdown: Can Yoel Romero become the first to stop Phil Davis?

MMA Junkie fight analyst Dan Tom takes a closer look at the Bellator 266 main event between Phil Davis and Yoel Romero.

[mm-video type=video id=01ffh8p894wwsts7ch9f playlist_id=01eqvpne7c1q486dvv player_id=01f5k5h8pz3brj4xqb image=https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/video/thumbnail/mmplus/01ffh8p894wwsts7ch9f/01ffh8p894wwsts7ch9f-9ad965abbb24da4205d0da4ef35c2b13.jpg]

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down the Bellator’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for Bellator 266.

Bellator 266 takes place Saturday at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.