Bellator 255 Review

Alejandra Lara vs. Kana Watanabe

Women’s Flyweight Fight

This was a solid enough back and forth fight.  Lara had the first round more or less under her control.  Wantanabe took over in the second by taking a good amount of  control on the ground.  Wantanabe got control early in the third round as well and maintained it once she had it.  This was more of a wrestling match than a fight and Watanabe came ready for it.

Result: Split Decision for Kana Wantanabe

Rating: 7.5/10

Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Mike Hamel

Lightweight Fight

This was a very straight up brawl.  Two guys that have great all around fighting ability, but these dudes wanted a knockout.  Hamel got busted open in the second round and had a very bad nosebleed.  Nurmagomdeov never really lost control of the fight, but Hamel gave him everything he could handle.  Hamel went for a couple takedowns but couldn’t get Nurmagomedov to the mat.  This was Nurmagomedov’s fight based on the eye test alone.  There was also a tremendous showing of respect after the fight between the competitors.

Result: Unanimous Decision for Usman Nurmagomedov

Rating: 7.5/10

Tyrell Fortune vs. Jack May

Heavyweight Fight

This fight was all Fortune.  He got a takedown very early and got himself in a ground and pound position.  He simply pounded on May until the ref stopped it.  May wasn’t knocked out he just simply stopped defending himself and the ref had no choice.  The end of this fight wasn’t nearly as cordial as the last one.  Fortune got in May’s face after and talked trash to him.  The animosity from the weigh-in definitely carried over to the fight itself.  

Result: First Round TKO for Tyrell Fortune

Rating: 8/10

Neiman Gracie vs. Jason Jackson

Welterweight Fight

Gracie took control at first but Jackson kept the majority of top position time in the first round.  Grace got ground control in the second round and kept it while Jackson did his best to fight back from the bottom position.  Jackson thwarted a takedown attempt by Gracie in the third round.  This was a fight that looked back and forth based on control time, but the numbers were all in favor of Gracie.  The decision went the other way however and the win went to Jackson.  It just goes to prove that judges love ground control.

Result: Unanimous Decision for Jason Jackson

Rating: 8/10

Main Event

Featherweight Championship Fight

Patricio Pitbull vs. Emmanuel Sanchez II

We only needed one round for this fight.  Pitbull lived up to his name again, he seemed to feel out Sanchez perfectly and caught him with a big hook to put him down.  The follow up was the trademark guillotine choke that Pitbull is known for.  Sanchez seemed to go out very quickly.  Pitbull almost seemed concerned that the ref didn’t stop the fight quickly enough.  Pitbull was at Sanchez’s side as soon as the fight was over.  AJ McKee and Pitbull go face to face after the fight.  They exchange heated words and McKee even said “I’m bringing a leash and taking him to the pound.”  McKee is a very accomplished fighter, but I have to be honest, I think Pitbull eats him alive.

Result: First Round Submission for Patricio Pitbull (Guillotine Choke)

Rating: 8.5/10

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