Followers had been handled to a blended martial arts (MMA) twosome final night time, as Bellator 290 went down inside Kia Discussion board in Los Angeles, Calif., whereas UFC Vegas 68 went down inside UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In the primary occasion of Bellator 290, Ryan Bader disposed of Fedor Emelianenko within the very first spherical for the second time (see it once more right here), sending him off into retirement with a loss. Within the UFC Vegas 68 headlining act. Serghei Spivac additionally scored a first-round stoppage win after forcing Derrick Lewis to faucet to an arm triangle (highlights).
Greatest Winner (s): Ryan Bader and Serghei Spivac
It was one other fast night time on the workplace for “Darth,” who despatched Fedor packing in 150 seconds, which is 115 greater than it took him the primary time. That’s now three straight title defenses for Bader, who’s now eyeing some new blood for his subsequent problem. Whereas some could also be fast to discredit “Darth” for steamrolling an ageing veteran that was on his means out of the battle recreation, the strain was nonetheless on him to not lay an egg and win like most anticipated. Bader improves to 9-2-1 since shifting to Bellator, which has confirmed to be a fairly affluent transfer for his profession.
Spivac scored himself a fairly straightforward first-round victory over Derrick Lewis, manhandling “Black Beast” from the leap, not permitting the heavy-handed fighter to fireplace off any offense of their 265-pound battle. After scoring a takedown early, Spivac began to melt up the large man with pictures to the aspect of the pinnacle. Lewis managed to stand up, however just for a bit of bit as a result of he was quickly on the mat once more. This time he wouldn’t stand up as Spivac put in an arm-triangle that had him tapping rapidly, That’s now three straight wins for Spivac, who’s eying a spot within the High 10 following his newest conquest.
Runner Up: Lorenz Larkin
If you have not been placing respect on Larkin’s identify, it’s excessive time you do it. “The Monsoon” scored a vicious standing elbow knockout over Mukhamed Berkhamov within the very first spherical at Bellator 290, placing him at 7-0-1 in his final eight outings. The shifting up and down in weight lessons has harm Larkin’s title shot aspirations, but when he stays at Welterweight he may very well be getting nearer to that championship battle. Larkin began his Bellator profession with two straight losses after making the leap over from UFC, however has regarded unstoppable over the past 5 years. What a fantastic turnaround for the 36-year outdated.
Greatest Loser: Derrick Lewis
You actually thought I used to be going to place Fedor on right here…in his retirement battle…in any case he’s finished within the sport? Nah. Most anticipated the result so it’s not a giant shock, sadly. Plus, “The Final Emperor” is now retired so win, lose or draw the result of the battle wasn’t going to do something for his profession or legacy in most individuals’s eyes. The explanation why Lewis will get the spot is as a result of he has now misplaced three in a row, all stoppages, together with his final win coming in December 2021. Total, “Black Beast” is 1-3 in his final 4 fights and can now go tumbling down the Heavyweight rankings after a loss that noticed him put zero offensive output. The place it’s gone incorrect for Lewis is unclear, however he higher discover the treatment to get again to the killer he as soon as was fairly rapidly earlier than he digs himself a deeper gap he received’t have the ability to climb out of.
To see full outcomes for Bellator 290 click on right here, and for UFC Vegas 68 click on right here.
