HYDEN BLOG: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from Bellator 233 and UFC Moscow

Frank Hyden MMATorch Columnist

Zabit vs Kattar
Sep 8, 2018; Dallas, TX, USA; Zabit Magomedsharipov (red gloves) reacts after defeating Brandon Davis (not pictured) during UFC 228 at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports Jun 8, 2019; Chicago, IL, USA; Calvin Kattar (blue gloves) defeats Ricardo Lamas (red gloves) during UFC 238 at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Bellator 233 and UFC Moscow were this past weekend. Let’s get to the rundown.


HYDEN BLOG: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from Bellator 233 and UFC Moscow
Bellator 233

GOOD- Tyrell Fortune stops Zu Anyanwu

There wasn’t a lot of action early in the fight but Fortune turned up the heat and dropped Anyanwu and then finished him with some ground-and-pound for the stoppage. Good win for Fortune.

GOOD- Arlene Blencowe vs. Leslie Smith

This was a nice and solid fight. Nothing spectacular but Blencowe fought effectively and wore down Smith with her striking. Blencowe got the decision win as she just outpointed Smith and was the better fighter tonight. Good win for Blencowe.

GOOD- Andrew Kapal stops Mohammed “King Mo” Lawal

Kapal landed some heavy shots in this fight, including the finish where he dropped King Mo and pounded him out. Lawal had come back for one last fight but it didn’t go the way he wanted. It would have been nice for him to retire with a win but I guess it wasn’t to be. Good win for Kapal.

GOOD- John Salter vs. Costello Van Steenis

Salter got some takedowns and worked his grappling in the first two rounds to win them, but he got tired and Van Steenis started landing more of his striking in the third round. It wasn’t enough to get the decision but Salter had to work for the win. Good win for Salter.

UFC Moscow

GOOD- Shamil Gamzatov vs. Klidson Abreau

They fought hard and this was a close fight. I thought Abreau won the decision but Gamzatov won the split decision. Good win for Gamzatov.

GOOD- Ramazan Ameev vs. Anthony Rocco Martin

This was another really close fight. Martin got the decision win but this could easily have gone to Ameev. Neither man seemed to have a big advantage as they seemed to be matched up well. Good win for Martin.

GOOD- Ed Herman vs. Khadis Ibragimov

Ed Herman is still winning fights in 2019. Herman was a finalist on The Ultimate Fighter 3. He just keeps plugging along. He landed some big shots in this fight, and had some good grappling work as well. Herman won the clear decision in this fight. Good win for Herman.

GOOD- Danny Roberts stops Zelim Imadaev

Roberts landed several takedowns but he couldn’t do much with them, as Imadaev would get back to his feet or counter to a better position. Late in the second round Roberts blasted Imadaev with a right hand that put him to sleep. Good win for Roberts.

GOOD/BAD- Alexander Volkov vs. Greg Hardy

This was a frustrating fight to watch. Volkov was clearly the superior fighter but he fought so safely that this fight was dull and lifeless. It was smart strategy but damn, it sucked to watch. I don’t want to criticize Volkov too much though, as his first goal should always be to win by whatever means necessary. It doesn’t have to be pretty as long as it’s effective. Hardy was outmatched and Volkov fought smartly to try to avoid the big shot of Hardy, which was his only chance at winning. Nice win for Volkov.

GOOD- Calvin Kattar vs. Zabit Magomedsharipov

They were throwing a lot of strikes during this fight. There was a few takedowns but this was primarily fought on the feet. Magomedsharipov worked his jab a lot and that helped lead the way for him to get the decision from the judges. This was a good solid fight. They both worked hard and had a good pace. Good win for Magomedsharipov.


Comments and suggestions can be emailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com and you can follow me on Twitter at @hydenfrank

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