Bellator 208 Results: The 2nd Heavyweight GP Finalist Is Determined, Plus Former UFC Lightweight Champ Ben Henderson Competes!
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Main Card (9pm EST., Paramount Network)
Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semi-Finals
Fedor Emelianenko def. Chael Sonnen by TKO via strikes (4:46, R1)
Ben Henderson def. Saad Awad by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Anatoly Tokov def. Alexander Shlemenko by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cheick Kongo def. Timothy Johnson by TKO via strikes (1:08, R1)
Henry Corrales def. Andy Main by KO via strikes (2:08, R3)
Preliminary Card (6:30pm EST., Bellator.com)
Tommy Espinosa def. Suhrob Aidarbekov by submission via arm bar (1:27, R1)
Jeremy Puglia def. Eric Olsen by TKO via strikes (3:16, R1)
Andrews Rodriguez def. Mike Diorio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dennis Buzukja def. Ryan Castro by KO via strikes (2:53, R1)
Zarrukh Adashev def. Christian Medina by TKO via strikes (1:08, R1)
Nick Fiore def. Jerome Mickle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
David Meshkhoradze def. Shaquan Moore by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Jennifer Chieng def. Jessica Ruiz by TKO via strikes (1:22, R1)
Jerome Mickle vs. Nick Fiore
Round One: The round begins with Fiore looking for a takedown and Mickle attacks him with a combination, Mickle rocks Fiore with a right. Fiore scores a takedown on Mickle and he gets the half guard, Fiore gains the full mount against Mickle. Mickle sweeps Fiore and he gets the top position before standing up, Mickle accidentally nails Fiore low and the fight is halted. The fight resumes with Mickle attacking Fiore with some leg kicks, Fiore nails a swinging Mickle with a counter left. Fiore scores another takedown on Mickle and he gets the full guard, Fiore transitions to side control against Mickle. Fiore moves to north/south position as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fiore
Round Two: The round begins with Mickle taking a few swings at Fiore, both fighters attack each other with two punch combinations. Fiore cracks a swinging Mickle with a counter right hook, Fiore nails Mickle with a two punch combination before scoring a takedown. Fiore postures up and Mickle scrambles to his feet a few moments later, Mickle and Fiore take a few wild swings at each other. Mickle then connects with a straight right against Fiore, Fiore scores another takedown on Mickle and he gets the full mount. Fiore attacks Mickle with some ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fiore (Overall Score: 20-18 for Fiore)
Round Three: The round begins with Mickle attacking Fiore with some leg kicks, Mickle attempts a high kick against Fiore. Fiore scores a takedown on Mickle and he gets side control, Fiore transitions to the full mount against Mickle. Mickle scrambles to get the fight standing again, Mickle backs Fiore into the cage wall while swinging away at him. Fiore grabs Mickle and he gets him against the cage wall, Mickle scores a takedown on Fiore and Fiore sweeps him to get top position. Fiore starts attacking Mickle with some ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Fiore (Final Score: 30-27 for Fiore)
Official Result: Nick Fiore def. Jerome Mickle by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Suhrob Aidarbekov vs. Tommy Espinosa
Round One: The round begins with Aidarbekov and Espinosa attempting high kicks against each other, the fighters also just start swinging wildly at each other. Aidarbekov grabs Espinosa and he gets him against the cage wall, Aidarbekov scores a takedown on Espinosa and he gets the full guard. Espinosa rolls for an arm bar and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Tommy Espinosa def. Suhrob Aidarbekov by submission via arm bar (1:27, R1)
Shaquan Moore vs. David Meshkhoradze
Round One: The round begins with Meshkhoradze attacking Moore with some leg kicks, Moore comes forward and Meshkhoradze catches him with a combination. Morre grabs Meshkhoradze and gets him against the cage wall for a short time, Moore then hits Meshkhoradze with a right. Meshkhoradze eats a few counter lefts while swinging away against Moore, Meshkhoradze nails Moore with a front kick to the midsection. Moore nails a swinging Meshkhoradze with a counter right, Meshkhoradze gets Moore against the cage wall while swinging away at him. Meshkhoradze catches an incoming Moore with an elbow strike, Moore drops Meshkhoradze and gets him against the cage wall when he stands up. The fighters separate and swing away at each other, Moore again nails a swinging Meshkhoradze with a counter right. Meshkhoradze nails Moore with a knee strike to the head, Moore scores a takedown on Meshkhoradze as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moore
Round Two: The round begins with Moore nailing Meshkhoradze with a kick to the midsection, Meshkhoradze charges forward and he swings away at Moore. Meshkhoradze starts attacking Moore with some leg kicks, the fighters clinch and exchange a few strikes. The fighters separate and Meshkhoradze attacks Moore with a few rights, Meshkhoradze attacks Moore with a few axe kick attempts. Meshkhoradze attempts a spinning wheel kick that misses Moore, Moore backs Meshkhoradze into the cage wall as a striking exchange breaks out. Moore scores a takedown on Meshkhoradze as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moore (Overall Score: 20-18 for Moore)
Round Three: The round begins with Moore and Meshkhoradze taking a few swings at each other, Moore backs Meshkhoradze into the cage wall while attempting a punching combination. Moore pops a kicking Meshkhoradze with a counter left hook, Meshkhoradze starts attacking Moore with a variety of kicks. The fighters clinch and exchange a few strikes before separating, Meshkhoradze starts nailing Moore with some leg kicks. Moore barely connects with a counter right against a kicking Meshkhoradze, Meshkhoradze causes Moore to stumble while landing a straight left. Meshkhoradze swings away at Moore and lands a right as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Moore (Final Score: 30-27 for Moore)
Official Result: David Meshkhoradze def. Shaquan Moore by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27)
Jennifer Chieng vs. Jessica Ruiz
Round One: The round begins with Ruiz nailing Chieng with a two punch combination, Chieng looks for a few high kicks against Ruiz. Chieng rocks Ruiz with a straight right and she pounces on her with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Jennifer Chieng def. Jessica Ruiz by TKO via strikes (1:22, R1)
Zarrukh Adashev vs. Christian Medina
Round One: The round begins with Medina attacking Adashev with some leg kicks, Adashev rocks Medina with a two punch combination. Adashev backs Medina into the cage wall while swinging away at him, Adashev then cracks Medina with a series of knee strikes. Adashev drops Medina with a combination and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Zarrukh Adashev def. Christian Medina by TKO via strikes (1:08, R1)
Mike Diorio vs. Andrews Rodriguez
Round One: The round begins with Rodriguez nailing Diorio with a left followed by some knee strikes, Diorio grabs Rodriguez and gets him against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Rodriguez swings away at Diorio, Rodriguez grabs Diorio and gets him against the cage wall. Rodriguez attacks Diorio with knee strikes while in the clinch, Diorio spins Rodriguez into the cage wall while eating some strikes. Rodriguez goes back to attacking Diorio with knee strikes, the fighters separate and Rodriguez kicks away at Diorio. Rodriguez rocks Diorio with a head kick before attacking him with knee strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rodriguez
Round Two: The round begins with Diorio grabbing a swinging Rodriguez and getting him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and kick away at each other. Rodriguez picks apart Diorio with strikes while staying at range, Rodriguez attacks Diorio with leg kicks. Rodriguez continuously attacks Diorio with a variety of kicks, Rodriguez then pops Diorio with a pair of rights. Diorio grabs Rodriguez again and gets him against the cage wall until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rodriguez (Overall Score: 20-18 for Rodriguez)
Round Three: The round begins with Diorio charging forward and swinging away at Rodriguez, Rodriguez attacks Diorio with a variety of kicks. Rodriguez stays at range while picking Diorio apart with combinations, Diorio grabs Rodriguez and gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Rodriguez attempts a high kick against Diorio, Diorio gets Rodriguez against the cage wall again. Rodriguez defends against the takedown by attacking Diorio with a few strikes, Rodriguez briefly gets free and he swings away at Diorio. Rodriguez then attacks Diorio with a spinning heel kick to the midsection, Diorio eats a strikes as he gets Rodriguez against the cage wall to end the round.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Rodriguez (Final Score: 30-27 for Rodriguez)
Official Result: Andrews Rodriguez def. Mike Diorio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ryan Castro vs. Dennis Buzukja
Round One: The round begins with Castro attacking Buzukja with some leg kicks, Castro charges at Buzukja while the two swing away at each other. Castro grabs Buzukja and gets him against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Castro kicks away at Buzukja. Buzukja drops a swinging Castro with a right and he pounces on him with more strikes, Castro rolls for a heel hook and both fighters scramble to their feet. Buzukja again nails a swinging Castro with a counter right, Buzukja backs Castro into the cage wall while leveling him with a combination. Buzukja picks apart Castro with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Dennis Buzukja def. Ryan Castro by KO via strikes (2:53, R1)
Jeremy Puglia vs. Eric Olsen
Round One: The round begins with Olsen attacking Puglia with some leg kicks, Puglia grabs Olsen and gets him against the cage wall. Olsen defends the takedown by attacking Puglia with some knee strikes, Puglia scores a takedown on Olsen and he gets the half guard. Olsen sweeps Puglia and he winds up in top position, Puglia scrambles to his feet and he gets Olsen against the cage wall. Puglia nails Olsen with a knee strike to the midsection, Puglia destroys Olsen with a plethora of unanswered strikes near the cage wall and the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Jeremy Puglia def. Eric Olsen by TKO via strikes (3:16, R1)
Henry Corrales vs. Andy Main
Round One: The round begins with Main peppering Corrales with a few jabs, Main also hits Corrales with a few leg kicks. Corrales attacks Main with some leg kicks of his own, Corrales pops an incoming Main with a left hook. Corrales also nails Main with a few rights to the midsection, Main continues coming forward while swinging away at Corrales. Corrales and Main continue kicking away at each other, Corrales then attacks Main with a multiple punch combination. Corrales follows that up with an overhand left against Main, Main nails a swinging Corrales with a few counter lefts as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Corrales
Round Two: The round begins with Corrales and Main exchanging some leg kicks, Corrales starts taking some power swings against Main. Main nails a kicking Corrales with a counter left hook, Corrales responds by rocking a swinging Main with a counter left of his own. Corrales starts charging forward and swinging wildly at Main, Corrales starts hitting Main with a few overhand lefts. Corrales also catches an incoming Main with a counter right uppercut, Main scores a takedown and Corrales gets right back up. Corrales and Main continue attacking each other with combinations, Main attacks Corrales with a few kicks followed by a spinning back fist as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Corrales (Overall Score: 20-18 for Corrales)
Round Three: The round begins with Main coming forward and taking a few swings at Corrales, Corrales starts attacking Main with punching combinations. Corrales and Main also exchange some leg kicks, Corrales drops a swinging Main with a counter left hook and he pounces on him with a few more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Henry Corrales def. Andy Main by KO via strikes (2:08, R3)
Alexander Shlemenko vs. Anatoly Tokov
Round One: The round begins with Shlemenko attacking Tokov with a kick to the midsection, Shlemenko and Tokov exchange high kick attempts. Shlemenko attempts a knee strike against a swinging Tokov, Shlemenko cracks a swinging Tokov with a spinning elbow strike. Shlemenko grabs Tokov and gets him against the cage wall, the fighters exchange strikes while in the clinch. Shlemenko scores a takedown and Tokov gets right back up, Tokov scores a takedown on Shlemenko and he gets the open guard. Shlemenko gets to a knee while eating knee strikes from Tokov, Shlemenko scrambles to his feet and he separates from Tokov. Tokov grabs Shlemenko and he gets him back against the cage wall, the fighters separate and have a striking exchange. Shlemenko gets a swinging Tokov up against the cage wall, Tokov nails Shlemenko with knee strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Tokov
Round Two: The round begins with Shlemenko attacking Tokov with a spinning back fist, Tokov attacks an incoming Shlemenko with a punching combination. Shlemenko accidentally nails Tokov low and the fight is halted, the fight resumes with Tokov getting a spinning Shlemenko against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Shlemenko kicks a swinging Tokov in the midsection, Shlemenko gets Tokov back against the cage wall. The fighters separate again and Tokov quickly gets Shlemenko against the cage wall, the fighters separate and Shlemenko charges at Tokov while swinging away at him. Shlemenko swings at Tokov before Tokov gets him against the cage wall to end the round.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Tokov (Overall Score: 20-18 for Tokov)
Round Three: The round begins with Shlemenko charging forward and swinging away at Tokov, Tokov looks to land counter strikes against Shlemenko. Shlemenko grabs Tokov and he again gets him against the cage wall before separating and landing a left hook, Shlemenko then hits Tokov with a kick to the midsection. Shlemenko drags Tokov to the mat and Tokov gets up to get Shlemenko against the cage wall, the fighters separate before Tokov scores a takedown on Shlemenko and Shlemenko gets right back up. Tokov gets Shlemenko against the cage wall while landing a few strikes, Tokov drags Shlemenko back to the ground and Shlemenko gets back up again. Tokov scores another takedown on Shlemenko and Shlemenko gets back up while eating a few strikes, Tokov gets Shlemenko back against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Tokov (Final Score: 30-27 for Tokov)
Official Result: Anatoly Tokov def. Alexander Shlemenko by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cheick Kongo vs. Timothy Johnson
Round One: The round begins with Johnson charging at Kongo while swinging away at him, Kongo starts attacking Johnson with leg kicks. Kongo nails Johnson with a right before dragging him to the ground, Kongo attacks Johnson with ground and pound until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Cheick Kongo def. Timothy Johnson by TKO via strikes (1:08, R1)
Ben Henderson vs. Saad Awad
Round One: The round begins with Henderson nailing Awad with a kick to the midsection, Awad comes forward and attacks Henderson with a few kicks of his own. Awad backs Henderson into the cage wall while swinging away at him, Henderson and Awad exchange some leg kicks. Henderson scores a takedown on Awad and he gets the half guard, Henderson transitions to back control against Awad. Awad scrambles and he gets back to his feet against Henderson, Awad rolls for a d’arce choke and Henderson escapes to regain top position. Henderson attacks Awad with ground and pound before regaining back control, Henderson postures up and looks for an axe kick as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Henderson
Round Two: The round begins with Awad cracking a leaping Henderson with a right, Henderson attacks Awad with a variety of kicks. Awad comes forward as Henderson swings away at him, Henderson goes for the takedown and Awad finds a way to get top position. Henderson gets back up and scores a takedown on Awad, Henderson starts attacking Awad with some ground and pound. Awad scrambles to his feet and Henderson drags him back to the ground, Awad gets back up again and Henderson drags him right back to the ground. Henderson applies the arm triangle choke on Awad as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Henderson (Overall Score: 20-18 for Henderson)
Round Three: The round begins with Henderson attacking Awad with a kick to the midsection, Henderson keeps Awad at a distance while attacking him with kicks. Henderson goes for a takedown and Awad nails him with a knee strike, Henderson eventually scores the takedown against Awad. Henderson attacks Awad with ground and pound, the referee stands up the fighters because Henderson held the cage while landing strikes on Awad. The action resumes with Henderson kicking away at Awad, Henderson gets Awad against the cage wall while landing a few knee strikes. The fighters separate and Awad briefly drops a kicking Henderson with a counter right, Henderson scores another takedown on Awad and he gets the open guard. Henderson transitions to back control against Awad as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Henderson (Final Score: 30-27 for Henderson)
Official Result: Ben Henderson def. Saad Awad by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Bellator Heavyweight World Grand Prix Semi-Finals
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Chael Sonnen
Round One: The round begins with Emelianenko dropping Sonnen with a multiple punch combination and he lets him get up, Emelianenko continuously tosses Sonnen to the ground. Sonnen scores a takedown and Emelianenko sweeps him to get top position, Emelianenko gets up and he allows Sonnen to stand. Sonnen scores a takedown on Emelianenko and he gets back control, Emelianenko scrambles to get top position and he attacks Sonnen with a plethora of strikes. Sonnen gets up after Emelianenko lands a few more strikes, Sonnen scores another takedown on Emelianenko and he gets the half guard. Sonnen goes for full mount and Emelianenko sweeps him again to regain top position, Emelianenko gets up and he allows Sonne n to stand. Emelianenko attacks Sonnen with a plethora of strikes, Emelianenko gets Sonnen down and he lands a ton of ground and pound until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Fedor Emelianenko def. Chael Sonnen by TKO via strikes (4:46, R1)