Bellator 253 Results: AJ McKee Advances To Featherweight Grand Prix Finals
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Main Card (7pm EST., CBS Sports Network)
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Semi-Finals
AJ McKee def. Darrion Caldwell by submission via neck crank (1:11, R1)
Jason Jackson def. Ben Henderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Joey Davis def. Bobby Lee by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Raufeon Stots def. Keith Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Card (4:45pm EST., Youtube)
Jeremy Kennedy def. Matt Bessette by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Kaheem Murray def. Baby Slice by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jaleel Willis def. Mark Lemminger by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jay Jay Wilson def. Sergio De Bari by KO via strikes (0:20, R1)
Sullivan Cauley def. Jason Markland by TKO via strikes (0:28, R1)
Bellator Featherweight World Grand Prix Semi-Finals
AJ McKee vs. Darrion Caldwell
Round One: The round begins with McKee attacking Caldwell with a side kick, Caldwell scores a takedown on McKee and he gets the open guard. The fighters trade some strikes while on the ground, McKee catches Caldwell in a neck crank and a tap out follows.
Official Result: AJ McKee def. Darrion Caldwell by submission via neck crank (1:11, R1)
Ben Henderson vs. Jason Jackson
Round One: The round begins with Jackson popping Henderson with a right followed by a left hook, Henderson fires back and he eats a body kick a short time later. Jackson backs up Henderson while swinging away at him, Henderson starts attacking Jackson with some leg kicks. Henderson looks for a takedown and Jackson defends against it, the fighters exchange some more leg kicks. Jackson cracks Henderson with another kick to the midsection, Henderson and Jackson get into a brief striking exchange. Jackson grabs Henderson and he briefly gets him against the cage wall, Jackson barely lands a head kick against Henderson. Jackson follows up by cracking Henderson with a left hook, Henderson starts landing his own kicks to the midsection of Jackson. Jackson stuns Henderson with a back fist as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jackson
Round Two: The round begins with Jackson landing a counter right on a swinging Henderson, Henderson lands a few shots on Jackson before eating a counter right uppercut. Henderson goes for a takedown and Jackson winds up getting top control, Jackson transitions to back control on Henderson as Henderson tries getting back up. Henderson scrambles and he gets Jackson in his half guard, Henderson scrambles again and Jackson gets back control on him. Henderson scrambles to his feet and Jackson drags him back to the mat, Henderson scrambles to his feet and he gets Jackson against the cage wall. Jackson cracks Henderson with a knee strike to the face, Jackson scores another takedown on Henderson as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jackson (Overall Score: 20-18 for Jackson)
Round Three: The round begins with Jackson dropping Henderson with a leg kick, Henderson gets back up and Jackson attacks him with a high kick. Henderson comes forward and he cracks Jackson with a few lefts, Henderson scores a takedown on a swinging Jackson and he gets him in a seated position. Jackson scrambles and Henderson gets back control on him, Jackson scrambles to his feet and he gets Henderson against the cage wall. Henderson drops for a kimura and Jackson defends to get top control on the ground, Jackson gets up and he allows Henderson to get up. Henderson slips just about everytime he attacks Jackson with kicks, Jackson keeps Henderson grounded after a slip during a missed kick. Jackson attacks Henderson with some ground and pound, Henderson rolls for the leg of Jackson and Jackson gets free as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Jackson (Final Score: 30-27 for Jackson)
Official Result: Jason Jackson def. Ben Henderson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Joey Davis vs. Bobby Lee
Round One: The round begins with Lee attacking Davis with some jabs, Lee also nails Davis with a kick to the midsection. Lee charges at Davis while swinging wildly at him, Davis scores a takedown on Lee and he gets the open guard. Davis attacks Lee with some ground and pound, Davis gains the half guard against Lee while nailing him with more strikes. Davis turns up the pressure with the ground and pound as Lee gets him back in his full guard, Davis attacks Lee with more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis
Round Two: The round begins with Lee attacking Davis with a few spinning back kicks, Davis scores a takedown on Lee and he gets the half guard. Davis starts attacking Lee with some ground and pound, Lee wall walks to his feet and Davis gets him up against the cage wall. The fighters separate and Davis attacks Lee with some leg kicks, Davis scores another takedown on Lee and he gets the full guard. Davis transitions to the back control position against Lee, Lee scrambles and he gets Davis back in his full guard. Davis cracks a downed Lee with a few more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis (Overall Score: 20-18 for Davis)
Round Three: The round begins with Lee charging at Davis while swinging wildly at him, Davis and Lee exchange some leg kicks. Davis scores a takedown on Lee and he gets the full guard, Davis gains the half guard on Lee while landing ground and pound on him. Lee gets Davis back in his full guard, Davis attacks Lee with a few more strikes as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Davis (Final Score: 30-27 for Davis)
Official Result: Joey Davis def. Bobby Lee by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Raufeon Stots vs. Keith Lee
Round One: The round begins with the fighters taking some swings at each other, Lee goes for a head kick and Stots blocks it. Lee cracks Stots with a few left hooks during an exchange, Stots comes forward and he cracks Lee with a multiple punch combination. Stots and Lee start exchanging some leg kicks, Stots gets Lee up against the cage wall after getting into a striking exchange. The fighters separate and take some more swings at each other, Lee nails Stots with a head kick and Stots gets him against the cage wall afterwards. Stots drags Lee to the ground and he gets back control right away, Stots hunts for the rear naked choke until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Stots
Round Two: The round begins with Lee attempting a jump knee strike against Stots, Stots cracks Lee with a kick to the midsection. Lee cracks a kicking Stots with a counter right hook, Stots pops a backing Lee with a right hook to the midsection. Stots starts attacking Lee with some leg kicks, Lee comes forward and he cracks Stots with a short right. Lee comes forward and Stots cracks him with a short right hook, Lee goes for a jump knee strike on a swinging Stots and Stots gets him up against the cage wall. Stots scores a takedown on Lee and he gets back 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 and Lee swinging away at each other, Lee cracks a swinging Stots with a counter right hook. Stots then cracks Stots with a right hook before eating a left hook, Stots grabs a swinging Lee and he drags him to the ground. Stots looks for a guillotine choke and Lee defends to get top control on the ground, Stots scrambles to his feet and he attacks Lee with leg kicks. Stots comes forward and he has a striking exchange with Lee, Lee goes for a head kick and Stots manages to block it. Stots grabs a swinging Lee and he gets him up against the cage wall, Stots drags Lee to the ground and Lee gets back up. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Stots (Final Score: 30-27 for Stots)
Official Result: Raufeon Stots def. Keith Lee by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jeremy Kennedy vs. Matt Bessette
Round One: The round begins with Bessette popping a swinging Kennedy with a counter right, Kennedy starts landing some leg kicks on Bessette. Bessette charges forward and he takes some swings at Kennedy, Kennedy scores a takedown on Bessette and he gets the half guard. Bessette scrambles and he gets Kennedy in his full guard, Bessette scrambles to his feet and Kennedy keeps him against the cage wall. Kennedy drags Bessette back to the ground and he gets the half guard, Kennedy starts landing some ground and pound on Bessette. Bessette scrambles to his feet again and Kennedy gets him against the cage wall, Kennedy attacks Bessette with knee strikes to the thighs. Kennedy drags Bessette back to the ground and Bessette gets right back up, Kennedy keeps Bessette against the cage wall as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kennedy
Round Two: The round begins with Kennedy kicking Bessette in the midsection, Bessette responds by landing a body kick of his own on Kennedy. Kennedy looks for the takedown on Bessette as he gets him against the cage wall, Kennedy scores another takedown on Bessette and he gets back control. Kennedy gains the full mount before returning to back control on Bessette, Kennedy attacks Bessette with a ton of ground and pound. Bessette scrambles to his feet and Kennedy keeps him against the cage wall, Kennedy scores another takedown on Bessette and he gets the half guard. Bessette scrambles to his feet and Kennedy again gets him against the cage wall, Kennedy gains another takedown on Bessette and he lands some strikes on him as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kennedy (Overall Score: 20-18 for Kennedy)
Round Three: The round begins with Kennedy attacking Bessette with some leg kicks, Kennedy starts hunting for takedowns against Bessette. Bessette drops for a leg on Kennedy and Kennedy defends to get top control on the ground, Kennedy gets in the full guard of Bessette while landing some ground and pound. Kennedy advances to the half guard on Bessette while landing more strikes, Kennedy also attacks Bessette with a plethora of elbow strikes. Bessette scrambles to his feet and the fighters swing away at each other until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Kennedy (Final Score: 30-27 for Kennedy)
Official Result: Jeremy Kennedy def. Matt Bessette by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-26)
Jaleel Willis vs. Mark Lemminger
Round One: The round begins with Willis attempting a high kick against Lemminger, Lemminger and Willis take some swings at each other. Willis goes for a jump knee strike while Lemminger looks for a takedown, Lemminger backs up Willis by popping him with a left. Willis eats a left hook while hitting Lemminger with a right hook, Willis cracks Lemminger with a side kick to the midsection. Willis cracks a swinging Lemminger with a multiple punch combination, Willis then pops Lemminger with a short right hook. Willis then cracks Lemminger with a two punch combination, Lemminger cracks Willis with a kick to the midsection. The fighters swing away at each other as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Willis
Round Two: The round begins with Lemminger taking some swings at Willis, Willis goes for a high kick and Lemminger blocks it before landing a left. Willis starts landing multiple combinations against Lemminger, Willis comes forward and Lemminger catches him in a standing guillotine choke. Willis gets free and he swings away at Lemminger, Willis also starts landing leg kicks against Lemminger. Willis goes for a takedown and Lemminger sweeps him to get top control, Lemminger gains back control while landing strikes on Willis. Lemminger attacks Willis with some ground and pound, Lemminger hunts for the rear naked choke until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Lemminger (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with Lemminger cracking a kicking Willis with a counter left, Willis then pops a kicking Lemminger with a counter right uppercut. Willis then hits Lemminger with a kick to the midsection, Lemminger and Willis also exchange some leg kicks. The fighters stay at a distance while taking some swings at each other, Willis nails an incoming Lemminger with a body kick. Willis also starts landing some jabs to the face of Lemminger, Lemminger backs Willis up while throwing a few left hooks. Willis again nails a swinging Lemminger with a kick to the midsection, Lemminger charges forward and Willis cracks him with a short right hook as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Willis (Final Score: 29-28 for Willis)
Official Result: Jaleel Willis def. Mark Lemminger by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jay Jay Wilson vs. Sergio De Bari
Round One: The round begins with De Bari attacking Wilson with some leg kicks, Wilson levels De Bari with a right before landing a few follow up strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Jay Jay Wilson def. Sergio De Bari by KO via strikes (0:20, R1)
Baby Slice vs. Kaheem Murray
Round One: The round begins with Murray taking a few swings at Slice, Murray and Slice exchange some leg kicks. Slice grabs Murray and he gets him up against the cage wall, Murray cracks Slice with a knee strike while defending against the takedown. The fighters separate and Slice attacking a kicking Murray with a counter overhand right, Murray stays at a distance while taking some swings at Slice. Murray and Slice exchange some right hooks as they swing at each other, Slice goes for another right as Murray goes for another knee strike. Murray goes for a spinning head kick and Slice blocks it, Slice lands more leg kicks on Murray as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Slice
Round Two: The round begins with Murray tripping up a swinging Slice after landing a leg kick, Murray charges at Slice while throwing a three punch combination. Slice starts landing leg kicks of his own against Murray, Murray scores a takedown on Slice and he gets the full guard. Murray attacks Slice with some ground and pound, Slice scrambles to his feet and Murray pops him with a few rights. Murray continues charging at Slice while swinging away at him, Murray goes for a jump knee strike and Slice blocks it. Murray stuns Slice after cracking him with a left, Murray trails Slice around the cage as the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Murray (Overall Score: 19-19 for Draw)
Round Three: The round begins with a backing Slice taking some swings at Murray, Murray starts landing some leg kicks on Slice. Murray pops a swinging Slice with a counter right hook, Slice starts landing leg kicks of his own against Murray. Slice lands some jabs at the advancing Murray, Murray backs Slice up after going for a jump knee strike and right uppercut. Murray swings away at a backing Slice until the round ends.
Fightful scores the round 10-9 for Murray (Final Score: 29-28 for Murray)
Official Result: Kaheem Murray def. Baby Slice by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sullivan Cauley vs. Jason Markland
Round One: The round begins with Cauley dropping Markland with a right, Cauley pounces on a downed Markland with more strikes until the referee jumps in.
Official Result: Sullivan Cauley def. Jason Markland by TKO via strikes (0:28, R1)
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