Bellator 236 Results: The Women’s Flyweight Title Is Defended & The Featherweight Grand Prix Resumes
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Main Card (10pm EST., DAZN)
Bellator MMA Women’s Flyweight Championship
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Kate Jackson by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44) to retain the title
Bellator MMA Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal
AJ McKee def. Derek Campos by submission via arm bar (1:08, R3)
Jason Jackson def. Kiichi Kunimoto by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Juliana Velasquez def. Bruna Ellen by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Raufeon Stots def. Cheyden Leialoha by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Zach Zane def. Nainoa Dung by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Preliminary Card (8:30pm EST., DAZN)
Swayne Lunasco def. Kaylan Gorospe by TKO via strikes (3:29, R3)
Keoni Diggs def. Scott Hao by submission via rear naked choke (2:23, R2)
Kai Kamaka III def. Spencer Higa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Ben Willhelm def. Keali’i Kanekoa by submission via rear naked choke (2:24, R1)
Dustin Barca def. Brandon Pieper by submission via rear naked choke (0:58, R1)
Keoni Diggs vs. Scotty Hao
Round One: The round begins with Diggs attacking Hao with some leg kicks, Diggs nails a kicking Hao with a counter right. Diggs scores a takedown on Hao and he gets the open guard, Diggs attacks Hao with some ground and pound. Diggs advances to the half guard against Hao, Diggs goes back to nailing Hao with some ground and pound. Hao gets Diggs in his full guard while eating more strikes, Diggs regains the half guard as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Diggs
Round Two: The round begins with Hao attacking Diggs with some leg kicks, Diggs backs Hao into the cage wall before scoring a takedown on him. Diggs goes back to attacking Hao with some ground and pound, Hao tries scrambling to his feet and Diggs gains back control. Diggs applies a rear naked choke and Hao goes out cold.
Official Result: Keoni Diggs def. Scott Hao by submission via rear naked choke (2:23, R2)
Kai Kamaka III vs. Spencer Higa
Round One: The round begins with Kamaka III attacking Higa with some leg kicks, Higa backs up Kamaka III by swinging away at him. Kamaka III comes forward and he nails Higa with a short right hook, Huga responds by nailing Kamaka III with a series of rights to the midsection. Kamaka III scores a takedown on Higa and he gets him in a seated position, Kamaka III gains the half guard against Higa. Kamaka III starts attacking Higa with some ground and pound, Higa gets Kamaka III to his full guard while eating more strikes. Higa scrambles to his feet and Kamaka III holds him against the cage wall, the fighters separate as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kamaka III
Round Two: The round begins with Higa attacking Kamaka III with a kick to the midsection, Higa lands more rights to the midsection of Kamaka III. Kamaka III scores a takedown on Higa and he gets the half guard, Kamaka III attacks Higa with some ground and pound. Higa gets Kamaka III back in his full guard while eating more strikes, Kamaka III regains the half guard as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kamaka III (Overall Score: 20-18 for Kamaka III)
Round Three: The round begins with Higa attacking Kamaka III with a jumping knee strike, Higa then attacks Kamaka III with a kick to the midsection. Kamaka III attacks Higa with a high kick that gets blocked, Higa follows Kamaka III around the cage while swinging away at him. Kamaka III starts firing back against a swinging Higa, Kamaka III scores a takedown on Higa and he gets the open guard. Kamaka III transitions to the half guard before Higa gets him back in his full guard, Kamaka III regains the half guard against Higa. Kamaka III advances to the full mount against Higa, Kamaka III looks for a choke and Higa escapes to get Kamaka III in his half guard. Higa scrambles to his feet and he exchanges knee strikes with Kamaka III, Kamaka III scores a takedown on Higa as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kamaka III (Final Score: 30-27 for Kamaka III)
Official Result: Kai Kamaka III def. Spencer Higa by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Dustin Barca vs. Brandon Pieper
Round One: The round begins with Barca attacking Pieper with some leg kicks, Pieper charges at Barca while swinging wildly at him. Barca grabs Pieper and gets him against the cage wall, Barca scores a takedown on Pieper and he gets back control. Barca catches Pieper in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Dustin Barca def. Brandon Pieper by submission via rear naked choke (0:58, R1)
Keali’i Kanekoa vs. Ben Willhelm
Round One: The round begins with Kanekoa attacking Willhelm with a high kick, Willhelm charges forward and the fighters have a brief striking exchange. Willhelm scores a takedown on Kanekoa and he gets the half guard, Kanekoa scrambles to his feet and he exchanges knee strikes with Willhelm. Kanekoa nails Willhelm with a knee strike to the head, the fighters clinch and exchange more knee strikes. Willhelm nails Kanekoa with a series of knee strikes to te midsection, Willhelm gets Kanekoa against the cage wall while landing a few lefts. Willhelm gets Kanekoa to the ground and he gets back control, Willhelm gets Kanekoa in a rear naked choke and a tap out follows.
Official Result: Ben Willhelm def. Keali’i Kanekoa by submission via rear naked choke (2:24, R1)
Swayne Lunasco vs. Kaylan Gorospe
Round One: The round begins with Gorospe attacking Lunasco with some leg kicks, Lunasco responds by landing some leg kicks of his own. Lunasco scores a takedown on Gorospe and he gets side control, Lunasco transitions to back control on Gorospe as Gorospe stands up. Lunasco gets off the back of Gorospe and Gorospe swings away at him, Lunasco scores another takedown on Gorospe and he gets the half guard. Lunasco attacks Gorospe with some ground and pound, Gorospe scrambles to his feet and Lunasco drags him back to the ground after a guillotine choke attempt. Lunasco releases the choke and he gets the full mount on Gorospe, Lunasco catches Gorospe in an arm triangle choke and Gorospe escapes. Lunasco gains back control on Gorospe as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lunasco
Round Two: The round begins with Gorospe taking some swings at Lunasco, Lunasco goes for a takedown and Gorospe nails him with a knee strike followed by elbow strikes. Lunasco responds by kicking Gorospe in the midsection, Lunasco scores a takedown on Gorospe and Gorospe gets back up. Lunasco drags Gorospe back to the ground and he gets back control, Gorospe gets up again and he swings away at Lunasco. Lunasco scores another takedown on Gorospe and he gets the half guard, Lunasco gains side control on Gorospe before gaining the full mount. Lunasco attacks Gorospe with a lot of ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lunasco (Overall Score: 20-18 for Lunasco)
Round Three: The round begins with Lunasco grabbing Gorospe and getting him against the cage wall, Lunasco scores a takedown on Gorospe and he gets the half guard. Lunasco gains the full mount against Gorospe, Lunasco attacks Gorospe with ground and pound until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Swayne Lunasco def. Kaylan Gorospe by TKO via strikes (3:29, R3)
Nainoa Dung vs. Zach Zane
Round One: The round begins with Zane attacking Dung with some leg kicks, Zane scores a takedown on Dung and he gets the half guard. Zane attacks Dung with some ground and pound, Dung gets Zane in his full guard while eating more strikes. Dung scrambles to his feet and he immediately attacks Zane with a knee strike, Zane scores another takedown on Dung and he gets the open guard. Dung scrambles again and Zane almost catches him in a guillotine choke, Zane attacks Dung with more ground and pound until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Zane
Round Two: The round begins with Zane attacking Dung with a high kick that gets blocked, Zane grabs Dung and gets him against the cage wall. Zane scores a takedown on Dung and he gets the open guard, Zane gains the half guard on Dung while landing strikes. Dung scrambles and Zane winds up getting back control on him, Dung sweeps Zane and he gets top control. Zane recovers and he sweeps Dung to regain top control, Zane attacks Dung with more ground and pound. Dung scrambles to his feet and Zane catches him in a guillotine choke as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Zane (Overall Score: 20-18 for Zane)
Round Three: The round begins with the fighters swinging away at each other, Dung comes forward and he attacks Zane with some high kicks. Dung stuns Zane by landing a kick to the midsection, Zane looks for a takedown and Dung catches him in a guillotine choke. Dung releases the choke and he gets back control on Zane, Zane sweeps Dung and he gets top control. Dung scrambles to his feet and he nails Zane with a knee strike, Dung attacks Zane with a high kick before eating a spinning back fist. Dung nails Zane with another kick to the midsection, Zane looks for a takedown and Dung defends before getting taken down. Zane advances to the north/south position on Dung, Dung scrambles and he gets Zane in his full guard. Zane keeps top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Dung (Final Score: 29-28 for Zane)
Official Result: Zach Zane def. Nainoa Dung by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Raufeon Stots vs. Cheyden Leialoha
Round One: The round begins with Leialoha attacking Stots with a kick to the midsection, Stots grabs Leialoha and he gets him against the cage wall. The fighters exchange some strikes while in the clinch, Stots scores a takedown on Leialoha and Leialoha gets right back up. Stots then nails Leialoha with a kick to the midsection, Stots scores another takedown on Leialoha and he gets the half guard. Stots attacks Leialoha with some ground and pound, Stots gains side control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Stots
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Leialoha and Stots exchange high kick attempts. Stots backs up Leialoha while taking a few swings at him, Leialoha scores a takedown on Stots and he gets back control. Stots gets up with Leialoha holding onto his back, Leialoha drags Stots back to the ground while looking for a kimura. Stots gets free and he gets top control on Leialoha, Stots attacks Leialoha with some ground and pound. Stots keeps top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Stots (Overall Score: 20-18 for Stots)
Round Three: The round begins with Stots attacking Leialoha with a combination, Leialoha comes forward and he takes a few swings at Stots. Stots grabs Leialoha and he gets him up against the cage wall, the fighters separate after Leialoha nails Stots with an elbow strike. Leialoha attacks Stots with a kick to the midsection, Stots scores a takedown on Leialoha and he gets him in a seated position. Stots transitions to the half guard against Leialoha. Leialoha rolls for an arm bar on Stots and Stots defends to keep top control, Stots transitions to side control and then back control on Leialoha. Leialoha scrambles to his feet and the fighters swing away at each other until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Stots (Final Score: 30-27 for Stots)
Official Result: Raufeon Stots def. Cheyden Leialoha by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 29-28)
Juliana Velasquez vs. Bruna Ellen
Round One: The round begins with the fighters exchanging some kicks, Ellen starts attacking Velasquez with some leg kicks. Velasquez backs up Ellen after landing a straight left, Velasquez drops Ellen with a left and she gets top control on the ground. Velasquez gets up and she allows Ellen to stand as well, Velasquez and Ellen stay at a distance while taking some swings at each other. Velasquez goes for a jump knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Velasquez
Round Two: The round begins with the fighters taking a few swings at each other, Velasquez and Ellen exchange some leg kicks. Velasquez follows Ellen around the cage while landing a few jabs, Velasquez follows Ellen around the cage while swinging away at her. Velasquez nails Ellen with a few lefts and a jumping knee strike as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Velasquez (Overall Score: 20-18 for Velasquez)
Round Three: The round begins with Velasquez attacking Ellen with a left after eating a body kick, Velasquez starts nailing Ellen with combinations. Velasquez backs Ellen into the cage wall while landing a multiple punch combination, Velasquez follows Ellen around the cage while swinging away at her. Velasquez gets Ellen against the cage wall while pummeling her with lefts, Velasquez gets Ellen against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Velasquez (Final Score: 30-27 for Velasquez)
Official Result: Juliana Velasquez def. Bruna Ellen by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Jason Jackson vs. Kiichi Kunimoto
Round One: The round begins with Jackson attacking Kunimoto with a high kick, Jackson levels Kunimoto with a right and he allows him to get up a short time later. Jackson nails Kunimoto with an elbow strike after avoiding a takedown, Kunimoto starts taking some swings at Jackson. Kunimoto scores a takedown on Jackson and he gets back control, Jackson scrambles at the right time to get top control on Kunimoto. Kunimoto rolls for a kimura and Jackson gets free to maintain top control, Jackson postures up and he allows Kunimoto to stand as well. Jackson pops an incoming Kunimoto with a right uppercut, Jackson grabs Kunimoto and he gets him up against the cage wall. Jackson scores a takedown on Kunimoto and he gets side control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jackson
Round Two: The round begins with Kunimoto attacking Jackson with some leg kicks, Jackson attacks Kunimoto with an overhand right. Jackson continues coming forward while swinging away at Kunimoto, Kunimoto eats a counter right after nailing Jackson with a left to the midsection. Jackson backs up Kunimoto with a head kick attempt, Jackson cracks a kicking Kunimoto with a counter right. Kunimoto grabs Jackson and gets him against the cage wall, Jackson gets free and he separates from Kunimoto as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jackson (Overall Score: 20-18 for Jackson)
Round Three: The round begins with Kunimoto hunting for takedowns against Jackson, Jackson backs up Kunimoto before attacking him with a high kick. Jackson continues attacking Kunimoto with combinations, Jackson stays at a distance while peppering Kunimoto with rights. Jackson scores a takedown on Kunimoto and he gets the full guard, Jackson gets up and he attacks Kunimoto with a knee strike. Jackson scores another takedown on Kunimoto as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jackson (Final Score: 30-27 for Jackson)
Official Result: Jason Jackson def. Kiichi Kunimoto by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Bellator MMA Featherweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal
AJ McKee vs. Derek Campos
Round One: The round begins with McKee attacking Campos with a flying knee strike, McKee slips on a kick attempt and Campos gets top control on the ground. McKee scrambles to his feet and he scores a takedown on Campos, McKee transitions to back control on Campos. McKee looks for a rear naked choke before getting put in the full guard of a scrambling Campos, McKee regains back control against Campos while landing strikes. McKee continues landing strikes on Campos as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McKee
Round Two: The round begins with Campos attacking McKee with a few strikes, McKee drops Campos with a left and he pounces on him with more strikes while getting top control on the ground. McKee catches Campos in a d’arce choke and Campos escapes to get into a striking exchange, McKee falls to his back and Campos gets top control on the ground. Campos attacks McKee with some ground and pound, McKee rolls for an arm bar as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for McKee (Overall Score: 20-18 for McKee)
Round Three: The round begins with Campos popping a leaping McKee with a left, McKee and Campos exchange some leg kicks. McKee backs up Campos after landing a few lefts, McKee scores a takedown on Campos and he gets the full guard. Campos scrambles and McKee catches him in an arm bar to force a tap out.
Official Result: AJ McKee def. Derek Campos by submission via arm bar (1:08, R3)
Bellator MMA Women’s Flyweight Championship
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (c) vs. Kate Jackson
Round One: The round begins with Jackson taking some swings at Macfarlane, Macfarlane grabs Jackson and gets her against the cage wall. Macfarlane scores a takedown on Jackson and she gets the half guard, Jackson quickly gets Macfarlane in her butterfly guard. Macfarlane postures up and Jackson nails her with a few up kicks, Macfarlane gains the half guard while nailing Jackson with a few strikes. Jackson scrambles to her feet and Macfarlane catches her in a standing d’arce choke while landing knee strikes, Jackson gets free and she gets Macfarlane against the cage wall. Jackson attacks Macfarlane with some knee strikes before getting spun into the cage wall, Jackson and Macfarlane swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Macfarlane
Round Two: The round begins with Macfarlane backing up Jackson after landing a two punch combination, Jackson starts attacking Macfarlane with leg kicks. Macfarlane grabs Jackson and gets her against the cage wall, the fighters exchange some strikes while in the clinch. Macfarlane scores a takedown on Jackson and she gets the half guard, Macfarlane starts attacking Jackson with ground and pound. Jackson scrambles to her feet and Macfarlane sweeps her to regain top control as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Macfarlane (Overall Score: 20-18 for Macfarlane)
Round Three: The round begins with Macfarlane taking some swings at Jackson, Macfarlane clinches with Jackson while landing knee strikes. The fighters separate and take some swings at each other, Jackson grabs Macfarlane and gets her against the cage wall. Jackson hits Macfarlane with an elbow strike before separating, Macfarlane continues attacking Jackson with combinations. Macfarlane backs up Jackson while landing more combinations, Macfarlane grabs Jackson and gets her back against the cage wall. Macfarlane scores a takedown on Jackson and she gets the half guard as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Macfarlane (Overall Score: 30-27 for Macfarlane)
Round Four: The round begins with Macfarlane cracking Jackson with a few right uppercuts, Macfarlane scores a takedown on Jackson and she gets the open guard. Macfarlane gains the half guard position against Jackson, Macfarlane attacks Jackson with some ground and pound. Macfarlane transitions to back control against Jackson, Macfarlane rolls for an arm bar and Jackson defends until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Macfarlane (Overall Score: 40-36 for Macfarlane)
Round Five: The round begins with Jackson attacking Macfarlane with a few kicks, Macfarlane charges forward and she swings away at Jackson. Jackson cracks Macfarlane with a body kick before eating a punching combination, Jackson grabs Macfarlane and gets her against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Macfarlane throws a few strikes at Jackson, Jackson grabs Macfarlane and gets her back against the cage wall. Macfarlane spins Jackson into the cage wall after landing a knee strike, Macfarlane scores a takedown on Jackson and she gets the full mount. Macfarlane attacks Jackson with ground and pound as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Macfarlane (Final Score: 50-45 for Macfarlane)
Official Result: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Kate Jackson by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-44, 50-44) to retain the title
