Tag: Bellator 275

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, March 1: Mackhachev, Mousasi climb after dominant wins

Bellator middleweight champ Gegard Mousasi and UFC lightweight Islam Makhachev rise in this week’s rankings update following dominant wins.

Two of the most impressive fighters in the sport climb in their respective divisional rankings following strong wins.

At Bellator 275, middleweight champion [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] (49-7-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) made quick work of previously undefeated Austin Vanderford (11-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) in the main event. In just 85 seconds, the fight was over after Mousasi overwhelmed his opponent with sharp striking, leading to the fast TKO finish to defend his title. With his strong performance, he moved up to the No. 4 spot in the middleweight division, passing UFC’s Marvin Vettori.

Although he needed a replacement opponent on short notice once Beneil Dariush suffered an injury, Islam Makhachev (22-1 MMA, 11-1 UFC) still took care of business in dominant fashion against Bobby Green (29-13-1 MMA, 10-8-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 202. Although the victory wasn’t as fast as Mousasi’s, it was just as dominant, with Makhachev controlling virtually every moment of the fight from the start to the finish at 3:23 of the first round – a performance worthy of a jump up to the No. 4 position.

After UFC Fight Night 202 and Bellator 275, take a look at movement in the middleweight division, as well as the rest of the full rankings ahead of UFC 272 using the dropdown menu above.

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Spinning Back Clique: Islam Makhachev’s dominance, Gegard Mousasi’s statement, UFC 272 look-ahead

Check out “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week, our panel of Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and Brian “Goze” Garcia discuss these five topics with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia:

  • This past Saturday night, [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] defeated Bobby Green in the UFC Fight Night 202 main event. The fight didn’t get out of the first round, and Makhavchev made it known that he wants a title shot in the lightweight division, of course meaning the winner of Charles Oliveira vs. Justin Gaethje. The question here is which matchup would be more favorable to Makhachev, and why? Should he actually be favored?
  • Because the UFC lightweight division is stacked with talent, this might be the marquee division in the sport. So, is Makhachev the clear No. 1 contender? Keep in mind that Rafael dos Anjos fights Saturday. He’s a former champ. He could derails plans. [autotag]Dustin Poirier[/autotag] owns a win over Gaethje. He could derail plans. [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] is a pay-per-view machine that wants to return in the summer. He could derail plans. Even Beneil Dariush, he had an injury setback. He could derail plans.
  • Also this past weekend, [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] ran right through Austin Vanderford to retain his middleweight title at Bellator 275. This was his third overall title defense and afterward, Mousasi staked his claim as the top middleweight in the world. Do you agree? If not, where do you rank him?
  • Turning the page to this week, two guys, who don’t like each other, get to punch each other in the face at UFC 272. You know the story: Former best friends, roommates, training partners, turned enemies. So, does [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] or [autotag]Jorge Masvidal[/autotag] have more at stake on Saturday night, and will the loser be able to rebuild from a loss of this magnitude?
  • With such a big spotlight on Covington vs. Masvidal this Saturday night, the rest of the UFC 272 card hasn’t been spoken about as much. What’s your other most pivotal fight to watch and why?

“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Tuesday on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch the full episode in the video above.

MMA Junkie Radio #3238: Guest Phil Davis, plus UFC and Bellator recaps, more

Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.


Monday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,238, the fellas welcomed guest [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag], a former light heavyweight champion who fights Julius Anglickas in the Bellator 276 co-main event March 12. They also looked back at Bellator 275 and UFC Fight Night 202. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

Austin Vanderford: Bellator 275 loss to Gegard Mousasi ‘will only make me a better fighter’

The first loss of Austin Vanderford’s career was a tough one, but he’s keeping a positive perspective on the experience.

The first loss of [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag]’s career was a tough one, but he’s keeping a positive perspective on the experience.

Vanderford leared a hard lesson – that there are levels to mixed martial arts – Friday at Bellator 275 after middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi schooled him en route to a TKO victory in just 85 seconds at 3Arena in Dublin. The victory was the 49th overall of Mousasi’s decorated career. For Vanderford, it was his first loss in 12 professional fights.

Vanderford didn’t speak to reporters after the fight. On Saturday, though, he posted about the loss on Instagram and was seemingly in good spirits as he thanked wife Paige VanZant and American Top Team.

“Last night wasn’t my night, but I’m thankful that this will only make me a better fighter,” Vanderford wrote.

You can read his full statement below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CacdEwoOzRc/?utm_medium=copy_link

“Humble in victory and defeat. Congrats to @mousasi on the well earned victory. Last night wasn’t my night, but I’m thankful that this will only make me a better fighter. Thank you to the friends, family and fans who support me! We’ll be back better than ever. Thank you to my team @americantopteam @parrumpaatt . Thank you to all my teammates at ATT, best gym in the world ⚔️. And last but most important, thank you to my loving wife @paigevanzant who is there for me forever and always ❤️. I’m good, and motivated to just get back to the gym 👊🏻🙏”

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Vanderford, 31, was victorious on Dana White’s Contender Series in July 2018 but wasn’t offered a UFC contract after his win. He was later signed by Bellator and made his promotional debut in February 2019, reeling off five consecutive wins to earn his shot at Mousasi’s title.

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Gegard Mousasi comfortable calling himself ‘the best middleweight in the world’ for first time after Bellator 275

Could he beat UFC champ Israel Adesanya? Bellator 275 winner Gegard Mousasi weighs in.

[autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] has never been one to pump his own tires – until now.

Following his 85-second TKO dismantling of Austin Vanderford (11-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) in the Bellator 275 main event Friday, Mousasi (49-7-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) called himself “the best middleweight” in the world during his in-cage interview, something he reiterated at a post-fight news conference.

“I was hungry,” Mousasi said. “I was more determined than him and I’m in my prime. I feel I’m the best middleweight in the world right now. I never said that because I never thought that I was the best. But I told everyone this training camp, that this day, I was the best middleweight. I don’t know about tomorrow, but today I was the best.”

While he got a kick out of the speculation as to what will happen if he ever faces current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, Mousasi realizes the odds of it becoming a reality are slim with the two being in different promotions.

“I train with guys who fought Israel Adesanya,” Mousasi said. “They did well against Israel Adesanya or won, and I’m better than them in the stand-up. So of course, I feel like I have a great chance. I can win. But talking about it is like talking about, ‘I want to be Santa Claus.’ It’s not possible.”

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There isn’t an obvious, designated choice for Mousasi’s next foe, but he wants to fight three times total in 2022. Healthy and unscathed coming out of Bellator 275, Mousasi is eager to welcome the next challenger and prove once again that there are levels to the game.

“Middle of the year, I’m going to fight again,” Mousasi said. “Then, at the end of the year, I’m going to fight again. I’m going to sit down and evaluate where my career is going. Then, I’m going to decide if I’m going to continue or not. I’ll have two more fights that I’ll concentrate on. … Those guys who think they can beat me, they have something coming. I’m more confident than ever. Anyone who comes, they’re going to get it.”

Bellator 275 took place Friday at 3Arena in Dublin.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov touts Gegard Mousasi as ‘most underrated fighter in MMA’ after Bellator 275

Khabib Nurmagomedov wants to see Gegard Mousasi get his proper due after a dominant display at Bellator 275

[autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag] wants to see [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] get his proper due after a dominant display in the Bellator 275 main event.

Mousasi (49-7-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) made quick work of Austin Vanderford (11-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) in Friday’s middleweight title headliner at 3Arena in Dublin, dispatching of his challenger with strikes just 85 seconds into the opening round.

It was the 33rd first-round stoppage of Mousasi’s career, and his 39th finish overall. “The Dreamcatcher” has held titles in Bellator, Strikeforce, DREAM and Cage Warriors, but Nurmagomedov doesn’t think he’s properly appreciated for his accomplishments and current performances.

The former UFC lightweight titleholder made that known in the aftermath of Mousasi’s win, touting him as the “most underrated fighter in MMA today” (via Twitter):

@mousasi_mma is the most underrated fighter in MMA today.
Congratulations Gegard #Bellator275

Mousasi, 36, has won 12 of his past 13 fights dating back to September 2015. He put together a five-fight winning streak during a UFC run, but he parted ways with the promotion after his final appearance in April 2017 when Bellator signed him away as a free agent.

Since then, he’s thrived, with the win over Vanderford being the quickest of his Bellator tenure thus far.

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Bellator 275 results: Gegard Mousasi smashes Austin Vanderford in 85-second TKO victory

Gegard Mousasi halted Austin Vanderford’s momentum with a smashing TKO victory.

There are levels to fighting. At Bellator 275, [autotag]Gegard Mousasi[/autotag] proved [autotag]Austin Vanderford[/autotag] is not quite ready to take the jump to the championship level.

During Friday’s headliner at 3Arena in Dublin, Mousasi (49-7-2 MMA, 7-1 BMMA) defeated Vanderford (11-1 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) via TKO at 1:25 of Round 1 to successfully defend his Bellator middleweight championship.

From the get-go, Mousasi showed to be the more technical and accurate striker. The first big shot Mousasi landed hurt Vanderford, who never appeared to fully recover. Patient yet aggressive, Mousasi calculatedly picked apart Vanderford until the previously-undefeated American shot for a takedown.

The attempt to drag the fight to the ground was unsuccessful. Mousasi powerfully stuffed Vanderford, who covered up. Mousasi rained down hellacious strikes until referee Kerry Hatley dove in.

“I’m the best middleweight,” Mousasi said in his in-cage interview. “I never said that because I never believed it. But from now on, you better believe it.”

The win was Mousasi’s 20th career by TKO or knockout and extended his current streak to four including back-to-back title defenses. As for Vanderford, the loss marks the first of his career. Key victories entering Bellator 275 included Fabian Edwards and Vinicius de Jesus.

Official Bellator 275 results include:

  • Gegard Mousasi def. Austin Vanderford via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:25 – for middleweight title
  • Sinead Kavanagh def. Leah McCourt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Ciaran Clarke def. Abou Tounkara via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
  • Khasan Magomedsharipov def. Jose Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Jornel Lugo def. Brian Moore via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Brett Johns def. Khurshed Kakhorov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:00
  • Davy Gallon def. Charlie Leary via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:01
  • Stephanie Page def. Danni McCormack via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:46
  • Darragh Kelly def. Junior Morgan via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:47
  • Vladimir Tokov def. Daniele Scatizzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Gokhan Saricam def. Kirill Sidelnikov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Nathan Kelly def. Scott Pedersen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Lee Hammond def. Jamie Hay via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:32

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Bellator 275 results: Sinead Kavanagh powers through injury against Leah McCourt, earns second title shot

Sinead Kavanagh suffered an injury early against Leah McCourt, but found a way to fight through to the end.

[autotag]Sinead Kavanagh[/autotag] had to fight through an early injury, but managed to get her hand raised on Friday at Bellator 275.

Fighting in front of a home crowd at 3Arena in Dublin, and aiming to rebound from a title challenge loss, Kavanagh (8-5 MMA, 5-5 BMMA) had plenty of motivation to push through an early knee injury that affected a majority of the co-main event bout against Leah McCourt.

Just over a half-minute into the bout after a couple of strikes were exchanged, McCourt (6-2 MMA, 5-1 BMMA) went for a takedown and brought the fight to the mat. However, Kavanagh remained calm off her back and grabbed a kimura, causing McCourt to roll over and defend the dangerous-looking submission.

With her arm twisted behind her back at one point, somehow, McCourt did not tap and survived to see the second round.

McCourt went back to the clinch early in the second round, and after jockeying for position along the fence, Kavanagh ended up on top after reversing a takedown attempt.

Moments later, Kavanagh landed a few hard punches from the top before being pushed off by McCourt. Kavanagh’s knee, which was giving her trouble after the first round, buckled and she fell to the canvas. Kavanagh would limp to her corner, but continue to the third round.

McCourt immediately targeted the knee with kicks to begin the final round as Kavanagh struggled to move around. McCourt then secured a takedown and began hunting for submissions. Attacking arm holds initially, McCourt went for a kneebar on the injured leg with just over 30 seconds remaining, but lost the position. The fight concluded with Kavanagh raining down punches from the top.

The judges scored the contest 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 in favor of Kavanagh.

Kavanagh rebounds from her title challenge loss to Cris Cyborg at Bellator 271 with a big win over McCourt on her home soil. After being carried out of the cage, the broadcast team announced Kavanagh’s next contest would be a rematch against Cyborg “very soon.” With no date given, that timeline will depend on the severity of Kavanagh’s knee injury.

For McCourt, the loss marks the first since her professional debut in 2017 and the first under the Bellator banner. She would win her next six bouts, five of which took place in Bellator, before the setback against Kavanagh on Friday.

Up-to-the-minute results of Bellator 275 include:

  • Sinead Kavanagh def. Leah McCourt via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
  • Ciaran Clarke def. Abou Tounkara via TKO (doctor’s stoppage) – Round 1, 5:00
  • Khasan Magomedsharipov def. Jose Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Jornel Lugo def. Brian Moore via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Brett Johns def. Khurshed Kakhorov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:00
  • Davy Gallon def. Charlie Leary via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:01
  • Stephanie Page def. Danni McCormack via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:46
  • Darragh Kelly def. Junior Morgan via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:47
  • Vladimir Tokov def. Daniele Scatizzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Gokhan Saricam def. Kirill Sidelnikov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Nathan Kelly def. Scott Pedersen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Lee Hammond def. Jamie Hay via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:32

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Bellator 275 results: Khasan Magomedsharipov dominates Jose Sanchez to remain undefeated

Khasan Magomedsharipov turned in a dominant performance at Bellator 275.

[autotag]Khasan Magomedsharipov[/autotag] continues to impress early in his career.

The undefeated brother of UFC’s [autotag]Zabit Magomedsharipov[/autotag] took care of business on Friday against Jose Sanchez at Bellator 275, remaining undefeated in his budding professional career after picking up a dominant unanimous decision win.

In the second fight of his Bellator run, Magomedsharipov (7-0 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) showed a little bit of everything in the first round. He defended takedowns from his opponent, landed a beautiful jumping knee, and implemented his own offensive grappling with a nice takedown.

In the second round, Magomedsharipov dominated virtually every moment. He landed hard knees in the clinch early and then went to work in the wrestling game where he smothered Sanchez (11-2 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) and landed hard ground and pound strikes. At one moment, the referee stepped in closer as if he was thinking about a stoppage.

The final round was much like the second, with the Dagestani overpowering his opponent at every turn as he completed his dominant showing. The judges turned in scores of 30-26, 30-27, and 30-27 in Magomedsharipov’s favor.

Through seven fights, Magomedsharipov has yet to taste defeat. The 21-year-old has a very bright future in the Bellator featherweight division. Thus far, the hype has been as advertised, much like his older UFC sibling.

Up-to-the-minute results of Bellator 275 include:

  • Khasan Magomedsharipov def. Jose Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Jornel Lugo def. Brian Moore via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Brett Johns def. Khurshed Kakhorov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 3:00
  • Davy Gallon def. Charlie Leary via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 3:01
  • Stephanie Page def. Danni McCormack via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:46
  • Darragh Kelly def. Junior Morgan via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:47
  • Vladimir Tokov def. Daniele Scatizzi via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Gokhan Saricam def. Kirill Sidelnikov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Nathan Kelly def. Scott Pedersen via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
  • Lee Hammond def. Jamie Hay via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:32

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Bellator 275 live and official results

Bellator 275 takes place Friday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).

Bellator 275 takes place Friday, and you can join us for a live video stream and official results beginning at 1 p.m. ET (10 a.m. PT).

The event takes place at 3Arena in Dublin. The main card airs on Showtime following prelims on MMA Junkie.

In the main event, middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi (48-7-2 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) puts his title on the line against unbeaten challenger Austin Vanderford (11-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA). In the co-feature, former women’s featherweight title challenger Sinead Kavanagh (7-5 MMA, 4-5 BMMA) takes on Leah McCourt (6-1 MMA, 5-0 BMMA).

Official Bellator 275 results include:

MAIN CARD (Showtime, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Gegard Mousasi vs. Austin Vanderford – for middleweight title
  • Sinead Kavanagh vs. Leah McCourt
  • Ciaran Clarke vs. Abou Tounkara
  • Khasan Magomedsharipov vs. Jose Sanchez
  • Jornel Lugo vs. Brian Moore

PRELIMINARY CARD (MMA Junkie, 1 p.m. ET)

  • Brett Johns vs. Khurshed Kakhorov
  • Davy Gallon vs. Charlie Leary
  • Danni McCormack vs. Stephanie Page
  • Darragh Kelly vs. Junior Morgan
  • Daniele Scatizzi vs. Vladimir Tokov
  • Gokhan Saricam vs. Kirill Sidelnikov
  • Nathan Kelly vs. Scott Pedersen
  • [autotag]Lee Hammond[/autotag] def. [autotag]Jamie Hay[/autotag] via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:32

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