Bellator 218: “Sanchez vs. Grimshaw” airs TONIGHT (Fri., March 22, 2019) on Paramount Network (and DAZN) from WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma. Former No. 1 contender Emmanuel Sanchez (17-4) will look to rebound from his last fight in a Featherweight main event against a familiar face — and former foe — Georgi Karakhanyan (28-8-1, 1 NC).
Bellator 218’s main card will start at 9 p.m. ET with “Prelims” undercard bouts at 7 p.m. ET on DAZN (watch it). MMAmania.com will deliver results and play-by-play for the entirety of the Bellator MMA card below.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action. Feel free to leave a comment (or 218) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
BELLATOR 218 QUICK RESULTS:
Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Georgi Karakhanyan — Sanchez UD 29-28 X3.
Valentin Moldavsky vs. Linton Vassell — Moldavsky UD 29-28 X3.
Anatoly Tokov vs. Gerald Harris — Tokov sub (guillotine) 0:37 R2.
Norbert Novenyi vs. William Lavine — Novenyi sub (head and arm choke) 4:05 R2.
Johnny Eblen vs. Chauncey Foxworth — Eblen UD 30-27 X3.
Nation Gibrick vs. Nicholas Page — Gibrick sub (RNC) 3:14 R1.
Ky Bennett vs. Deborah Kouzmin — Kouzmin UD 30-27 X3.
Aaron Vickers vs. Isaiah Gutierrez — Gutierrez UD 30-27, 30-26 X2.
Malin Hermansson vs. Victoria Leonardo — Leonardo sub (armbar) 4:49 R1.
Craig Fairly vs. Luis Erives — Erives TKO 2:40 R2.
Vladimir Tokov vs. Ryan Walker — Tokov UD 29-28 X3.
John Teixeira vs. Kevin Croom — Teixeira UD 30-26, 29-27, 30-26.
Jordan Newman vs. Joseph Holmes — Newman UD 30-27, 29-28 X2.
BELLATOR 218 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Georgi Karakhanyan
Karakhanyan has the black trunks and blue gloves for our main event, bringing a record of 28-8-1-1 (though to hear him tell it that’s 29-8-1) for this contest. Sanchez has on black trunks and red gloves and a record of 17-4 coming off a loss in his last bout against Featherweight champion Patricio Freire. Karakhanyan fights out of Riverside, California. Sanchez fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our referee is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: Glove tap to start. Both men let their hands go. Karakhanyan and Sanchez are both connecting with left hooks. Sanchez lands a leg kick and Karakhanyan responds with a takedown. Karakhanyan works rights to the body as Sanchez fishes for submissions off his back. He’s nearly able to sweep off a triangle attempt but Karakhanyan sees it coming and counters to stay on top in half guard. By no means has Karakhanyan done anything drastic or devastating in this round but he’s been on top scoring points for almost the entire frame so it’s a definitive 10-9 for Karakhanyan.
Round 2: Five second into this round it’s another takedown for Karakhanyan, although this time Sanchez has his back to the fence so he might be able to get up. Karakhanyan is trying to hang onto his legs and keeps that from happening. Sanchez draws a warning to not hit the back of the head. Both men are stood up at 1:40 for inactivity and Sanchez immediately scores a takedown after the restart. Sanchez climbs onto the back and gets his hooks in looking to roll for a rear naked choke. Karakhanyan is able to defend well, which is no surprise given he’s never been submitted in nearly 40 fights, but he’s still taking hammerfists from behind. The momentum has swung 10-9 in Sanchez’ direction.
Round 3: Double glove tap before both men go on the attack. Karakhanyan shoots hard against the cage but as with the last round he’s having a hard time controlling Sanchez there. Sanchez gets to one foot at 1:49. Karakhanyan drags him back down momentarily and tries to land knees. Sanchez is back up again at 2:16. Herzog breaks them up just as he did in the last round. Sanchez goes for an an axe kick and Karakhanyan goes for a single leg. He gets it but Sanchez turns on top with 100 seconds left. Sanchez fires left hands at Karakhanyan’s chin, including backing up and coming down with a big power left. He’s also grinding the right elbow into Karakhanyan’s face. He pulls out and jumps right back on top into half guard. Big left hand hammerfists cause Herzog to take a close look and make sure Karakhanyan can survive. Karakhanyan tries to sweep and Sanchez goes for a kimura and takes the back in the process. 10-9 Sanchez in another close (but much cleaner) fight.
Final result: Emmanuel Sanchez wins 29-28 X3 from all three judges.
Valentin Moldavsky vs. Linton Vassell
Black trunks and blue gloves for Vassell. His pro record is 18-7 (1) and he’s a two time No. 1 contender at 205 lbs. This is a Heavyweight bout though, and his opponent Moldavsky is 7-1 in the blue trunks and red gloves. Vassell has both height and reach on his opponent at 6’4” with an official 80.5” reach (some list it as 82”). He weighs 246 pounds for this bout and fights out of Milton Keynes, London, England. Moldavsky is 6’1” and 232 pounds, and he fights out of Stary Oskol, Russia. Our referee in charge is Jerin Valel.
Round 1: Vassell’s first strike is a body kick. Moldavsky circles and backs away as Vassell comes forward, then Vassell has to duck as Moldavsky swings hard. Vassell goes for a single leg then gets both arms around the waist, getting the takedown at 1:14. Vassell pulls his left leg through going for full mount but Moldavsky springs back to his feet. Moldavsky backs away at 2:26 and Vassell comes forward with his left hand high. Moldavsky just misses with an overhand strike. Vassell shoots again and gets the double at 3:35 and ends up in half guard. 10-9 opening round for Vassell.
Round 2: No glove tap in the last round or this round. Moldavsky circles on the outside but then comes forward and briefly gets an off balance Moldavsky to the ground, but as he tried to transition he over committed and Vassell got on top. Blood is trickling to the ground from around Moldavsky’s left eye. Moldavsky tries to sweep when Vassell moves to pass but Vassell gets right back up and immediately shoots the takedown and gets it at 1:53. Moldavsky gets a reversal at 2:38 and is on top in guard. Vassell gives up his back as he looks to get to his feet. Moldavsky spins to stay on top and wrestles him back to the ground for an arm triangle choke attempt. Vassell blocks it but Moldavsky takes his back with 30 seconds to go. 10-9 Moldavsky.
Round 3: Both men look a little more sluggish now after two hard rounds. Moldavsky gets a takedown 22 seconds in and is throwing short lefts. Moldavsky isn’t doing a lot of damage from the top but he’s earning riding time and Vassell isn’t doing anything in response. Vassell looks to get up at 2:08 but Moldavsky wraps his arms around Vassell’s waist and keeps him grounded. He’s on top now in half and draws a warning for shots to the back of the head. He fires lefts to the body and rights to the head. Vassell is running out of options AND time with a minute remaining. Moldavsky moves to Vassell’s back. Vassell draws a warning to fight back as he eats multiple right hands. 10-9 Moldavsky.
Final result: The judges all score it 29-28 for Valentin Moldavsky by unanimous decision.
Anatoly Tokov vs. Gerald Harris
Red trunks and blue gloves for Harris. Black trunks and red gloves for Tokov. Harris is 25-7-1, Tokov is 27-2. Harris fights out of Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tokov fights out of Stary Oskol, Russia. Our referee is Kerry Hatley.
Round 1: Harris sprints to the middle to tap gloves. Tokov quickly pushes him to the outer circle and fires a head kick. Tokov tags Harris with a body kick as he hunts for the timing to throw his right hand. He bounces back and forth on the balls of his feet and unloads another loud kick to Harris’ left side. Harris rocks him with a left hand shot and unloads with right hands but Tokov is able to get back to his feet even as Harris is pounding away. Tokov is wobbly but he’s clinched up and doing his best to recover as Harris tries and fails to get a takedown. McCarthy is calling for Harris to break off and let his hands fly. Tokov turns Harris around with two minutes left in R1. They push against each other throwing knees. It’s Tokov who gets the takedown at 3:24. Harris is quickly back on his feet. Short right hands to the body by Tokov. Harris backs away at 4:13. Tokov presses him into the cage and has a takedown at 4:42 looking to do damage on the ground. 10-9 Harris.
Round 2: Harris goes for that left hand early in R2 but he gets tagged with a body kick and left hook in return and as he’s wilting Tokov grabs a headlock, wrestling Harris to the ground and getting the submission as he does with the “ten finger” guillotine choke.
Final result: Anatoly Tokov wins via submission (guillotine) at 0:37 in the second round..
Norbert Novenyi vs. William Lavine
Novenyi is 2-0 in the red gloves and purple trunks, fighting out of London, England. Lavine is 1-1 in the blue gloves and black trunks, fighting out of Independence, Kansas. Our referee in charge is Blake Grice.
Round 1: Glove tap to start. Novenyi quickly gets a takedown and takes the back with both hooks in. Commentary reminds us he’s the youngest member of the London Shootfighters team. He moves to top position in guard to unload with hammerfists and Lavine gives up his back in response but still manages to stand up. Novenyi responds by grabbing a standing guillotine and pulling back with all his weight but Lavine survives. Novenyi drags him to the ground in the headlock and steps over. He spins to take the back and Lavine gets up, but he goes for a ride as a result. Novenyi takes the back with hooks in after the suplex. Lavine gets up but Novenyi goes for a heel hook. Novenyi stands up from that and hits a takedown to side control going for a Von Flue choke with short time. Lavine survives. 10-8 Novenyi.
Round 2: Novenyi dances around Lavine to open R2 then cracks him with a spinning elbow. Lavine pushes Novenyi into the fence for knees and stomps. Novenyi takes him down than 1:11. Novenyi hammers away as Lavine tries to sit up, driving him back into the canvas face down to hammer him with left hands. Novenyi is warned to watch the back of the head. Novenyi takes full mount and quickly goes to side control looking for a choke. He’s got the submission at approximately 4:03 but Michael C. Williams will make it official shortly.
Final result: Norbert Novenyi via submission (head and arm choke) at 4:05 in round two.
Johnny Eblen vs. Chauncey Foxworth
Eblen is 4-0 in the red gloves and black trunks out of Kansas City, Missouri while Foxworth is 9-7 in the blue gloves and black trunks fighting out of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Our referee in charge is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: Foxworth gets tagged with a right hand eight seconds in. Eblen grabs a foot, Eblen hangs onto the leg and drives him into the fence. Body lock takedown. Foxworth gets back up at 52 seconds. Knee to the body by Eblen. They break apart at 1:23. Eblen continues to chase the right hook as Foxworth loads up on leg kicks. Eblen drops Foxworth at 1:52 but he gets right back up. Eblen works right hands to the body, throws a left elbow to the head and another big right, and they clinch on the fence at 2:25. Foxworth breaks free at 2:53 and goes for a takedown but Eblen blocks it and turns him around. Eblen picks Foxworth up high in the air and slams him down. Foxworth is trying to kimura the left arm off his back but can’t get it. Eblen blocks Foxworth from getting back up as we move into the last minute and gets a full mount with short time left, but Foxworth is able to buck him off. 10-9 Eblen.
Round 2: Tap of gloves to start. Foxworth goes for a headlock as Eblen goes for a takedown, then lets his hands go momentarily as Eblen shakes it off, but Eblen immediately takes him down while he’s going for the kill. Closed guard for Foxworth. Eblen is trying to do damage on top and is doing just enough to not be stood up, but not much more as Foxworth is defending well. Eblen takes Foxworth down with a body lock right as he gets up. Eblen takes the back throwing left hands once Foxworth lets go of a kimura attempt. Foxworth gets back to his feet at 3:59. Eblen with another takedown at 4:37 to side control. 10-9 again for Eblen.
Round 3: Foxworth tries a spin kick that misses and Eblen catches the leg and gets Foxworth down to a knee against the fence. He sweeps to get back to his feet and goes for a flying knee that doesn’t get it done. Eblen gets the back as he takes Foxworth down again. He winds up on top throwing lefts right at Foxworth’s chin. Herzog warns him to get busy. Eblen postures up and ends up taking side control then North-South. Foxworth gets back to his knees as Eblen has the front headlock. Foxworth escapes with 90 seconds left. Eblen takes him down again at 4:02 and has the back with 40 seconds left. Foxworth is back up with short time left. Up and down again. Foxworth connects right as Eblen goes for one last takedown. 10-9 Eblen.
Final result: The judges score it 30-27 across the board for Eblen.
Nation Gibrick vs. Nicholas Page
Gibrick fights out of Dallas, Texas in the blue gloves. He’s 1-0. Page fights out of Arlington, Texas in the red gloves. He’s 0-2. Our referee in charge is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: Glove tap to start. Gibrick gets a takedown at 12 seconds and quickly moves to a full mount, getting his trapped arm free at 56 seconds. He starts pouring it on with right hands as Herzog keeps a close eye on Page. Pages is pressed right into the fence and has nowhere to go. Page gives up his back. Hammerfists and elbows from behind. Rear naked choke is sunk in and it is all over.
Final result: Nation Gibrick wins via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:14 in round one.
Ky Bennett vs. Deborah Kouzmin
Kouzmin is 1-0 in the red gloves and bodysuit out of Paris, France. Bennett is 1-1 in the blue gloves with gray outfit, fighting out of Arlington, Texas. This fight is at 130 pounds. Our referee for this contest is Blake Grice.
Round 1: Kouzmin rushes forward immediately and has Bennett tied up on the cage. Grice warns them to watch fingers to the eyes. Kouzmin vocalizes every time she throws a strike. She breaks off with a right hand and takes a kick to the face before they tie up again. Left hand over the top for Kouzmin. Kouzmin backs up and they trade hands. Bennett clinches to throw a knee. Bennett pushes Kouzmin into the cage. Knee to the body for Bennett. Kouzmin turns her around and throws knees and short rights to the body and head. She backs up and lands a few good combos. 10-9 Kouzmin.
Round 2: Kouzmin comes forward swinging at the bell and puts Bennett against the fence, then puts her right back there when she tries to escape, backs up to throw shots, taking a body kick but far out landing her opponent. They break at 2:08 but not for long — Kouzmin pushes her right back into the cage and stomps on Bennett’s feet. Bennett tries to turn out at 3:22 and Kouzmin turns her right back. Grice calls for more activity. Lefts and rights to the head at 4:19. Grice breaks them at 4:40. Kouzmin comes forward swinging to end the frame. 10-9 Kouzmin.
Round 3: Kouzmin and Bennett immediately let their hands and knees go. Kouzmin ties her up and — yup you guessed it — drives Bennett into the cage. Grice calls for work at 1:09. Kouzmin lands a left hand. Grice paces back and forth looking to see activity. Kouzmin drives multiple knees to the body and stomps on Bennett’s feet. Grice says throwing strikes isn’t enough, you have to be working to a finish or this position isn’t going to remain. He again calls for activity at 3:00. He finally resets them at 3:42. Kouzmin lands rights coming forward and puts Bennett on the fence again. Let’s just call it what it is right now with short time left — another 10-9 for Kouzmin.
Final result: The judges score it unanimously 30-27 X3 for Deborah Kouzmin.
Aaron Vickers vs. Isaiah Gutierrez
Vickers is 3-1 and wears the red gloves and black trunks, fighting out of Fort Worth, Texas. Gutierrez is 4-1 in the blue gloves and black trunks, fighting out of Mineral Wells, Texas. Our referee in charge is Jerin Valel.
Round 1: Glove tap starts this one off. Vickers side steps his way toward Gutierrez, who circles off to avoid him cutting angles. Valel warns them to watch their fingers. Gutierrez presses Vickers into the fence but Vickers crabs a clinch and starts to unload with knees and body shots. Gutierrez gets 80% of a takedown but Vickers butt on the fence kept him upright. Both men reset to look for strikes. Gutierrez lands a wheel kick and a left hook as Vickers is coming forward. Gutierrez with a spin kick. Two minutes left in R1. Right high kick by Gutierrez. Vickers shoots at 3:32 and finally gets a takedown at 3:48. Gutierrez gets back up and lands multiple leg kicks as Vickers is getting up. Knee kick and inside leg kick for Gutierrez. 10-9 Gutierrez.
Round 2: Gutierrez slaps Vickers in the face with his left foot early in this frame. Vickers tries to spin his way into range with an elbow but doesn’t land it flush before they clinch. Gutierrez hurts Vickers and starts pouring it on against the fence, then backs up and resets before he burns himself out. Vickers shoots and Gutierrez is warned not to grab the cage. He completes the takedown at 2:31 and tries to get on Gutierrez’ back as he stands back up. Gutierrez elbows Vickers in the head repeatedly as he makes the unwise choice to go for a banana split. Vickers finally flattens him out and gets on top in closed guard for the remainder of the round, even as Gutierrez tries and fails to push off the fence with his feet and sweep. 10-9 Gutierrez.
Round 3: Gutierrez chops away with Vickers at leg kicks before he closes the distance. Knees to the legs of Gutierrez but he comes over the top with an elbow before they break. Right high kick to the head. Vickers shoots for a takedown, Gutierrez initially blocks it, Vickers gets a full mount on the next attempt but Gutierrez sweeps on top, blocking an armbar attempt by pressing his knee into Vickers’ head. It looks like Gutierrez is going to be able to win this round now. He’s sliced Vickers forehead with an elbow and turned Vickers’ face into a crimson mask. He may even get a stoppage. He’s pouring it on with hands and knees. Vickers gets back to his but the blood is spraying all over the head and back of Gutierrez. 10-9 Gutierrez.
Final result: 30-27 and 30-26 X2 all for Isaiah Gutierrez.
Malin Hermansson vs. Victoria Leonardo
Blue gloves, American flag top for Leonardo, 4-1, fighting out of Shreveport, Louisiana. Red gloves, black top for Hermansson, 2-0, fighting out of Orebro, Sweden. Our referee for this fight is Jason Herzog.
Round 1: Leonardo comes forward quickly and pressures Hermansson into the fence at 25 seconds. She tries and fails to get a leg trip and mashes a right elbow into Hermansson’s face before she breaks free. Leonardo puts Hermansson on the cage again at 1:26. Hermansson throws knees to the body as Leonardo looks to take her to the ground. Hermansson pushes away but Leonardo pushes back and finally gets the takedown. Full guard from Hermansson. Leonardo tries to pass, gets to half, starts to work for the back but Hermansson stands back up. Leonardo has another takedown with 75 seconds left and quickly moves to side control. Full mount at 4:13. Hermansson sweeps on top with 25 seconds to go. Leonardo is unfazed and rolls for an armbar to tap Hermansson out.
Final result: Victoria Leonard by submission (armbar) at 4:49 in round one.
Craig Fairly vs. Luis Erives
Black trunks, blue gloves, 1-1 for Erives out of Sherman, Texas. Yellow trunks, red gloves, 2-1 for Fairly out of Derby, Kansas. Our referee in charge is Kerry Hatley.
Round 1: Erives is the aggressor early, forcing Fairly to backpedal and not get his striking game going. Erives nearly gets taken down when he throws a wild overhand right. Erives is doing a lot of wiggling and head feinting trying to keep Fairly guessing. Erives lands a nice combo at 1:55. Fairly tries to rush forward for uppercuts but he gets hurt by some knees coming back his way and has to back off. Hatley warns the fighters to watch their fingers. Body kick by Fairly. Jump knee by Fairly. Side kick. He’s getting more comfortable in the fight but he just got popped with a big left. He tries a spinning head strike that misses. Leg kick from Erives. Fairly returns the favor. 10-9 Erives.
Round 2: Erives is once again the pressure fighter to start the round. In fact that’s the exact word you can hear being yelled out by the corner man. Fairly goes for a single leg but he can’t get Erives down. Erives lands the two piece and a biscuit and throws Fairly to the ground looking for the finish after his big right hand. He takes full mount and pounds out the stoppage for his first Bellator win, bloody nose and all.
Final result: Luis Erives by technical knockout at 2:40 in round two.
Vladimir Tokov vs. Ryan Walker
Vladimir Tokov is 3-0 in the red gloves and trunks, fighting out of Stary Oskol, Russia. Ryan Walker is 8-4 in the blue gloves and yellow trunks, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nevada. Our referee in charge is Black Grice.
Round 1: A tap of gloves gets us underway before both men start swinging and Walker drives Tokov into the fence. Tokov avoids the takedown attempt and has Walker’s back against the cage. They spin back and forth and Walker does a foot stomp. Walker finally gets a leg trip to side control at 1:01. Tokov is going for an armbar off his back. Walker pulls free at 1:27 and Tokov jumps back to his feet. Walker gets another takedown at 1:42. Tokov scrambles to his feet 15 seconds later. Walker throws him down 9 seconds later and Tokov jumps right up again. Both men are swinging hard. Tokov goes for a flying knee. Walker nearly has Tokov down again at 3:14 but he squirms away.Tokov is throwing hands and uppercuts wildly and breathing heavy. His left hooks are occasionally connecting. Walker fails to complete a takedown with 45 seconds left. Tokov had Walker hurt at 4:38 and wound up on top on the takedown attempt throwing lots of right hands. Walker’s arm was over his head protecting him so he didn’t do much damage. Tokov may have narrowly edged a 10-9 but the other way is just as likely thanks to Walker’s takedowns.
Round 2: Tokov is the aggressor to start the round but Walker turns that into a takedown and takes his back at 18 seconds… but he’s riding too high so Tokov slips out. They’re both standing at 0:41. Walker immediately shoots and has a takedown at 0:53. Tokov is trying to tap the head for a choke. Grice warns the fighters not to hold the shorts. They stand up at 90 seconds. Tokov throws a head kick that’s checked with one hand. Walker gets another takedown at 1:46. Tokov is back up at 2:20. Leg trip takedown at 2:39. Tokov is back up at 2:55. This fight has become very repetitive. Another takedown at 3:13 and at 3:20. Walker takes the back with both hooks in. Walker is pounding away from behind as time ticks away late in the round. 10-9 for Walker.
Round 3: Tokov gets a takedown of his own five seconds into this round. Tokov pulls him away from the fence so he can’t wall walk and gets busy with right hands. Walker throws elbows to the head and shoulder off his back, while Tokov’s shots aren’t doing much at all. Tokov even draws a warning to get busy or he’ll be stood up. A stronger warning comes at 2:10. He’s finally stood up at 2:30. Walker stuffs a takedown attempt but Tokov completes the second. Walker momentarily had a guillotine but couldn’t hang onto it. Tokov tries to posture up and can’t. Walker draws a warning for elbows to the spine. Tokov gets a warning to work at 3:50. Walker draws a warning for elbows to the back of the head. Tokov is stood up at 4:30 and visibly leans on his knees. He tries to take Walker down but he rolls through and ends up on top, but Tokov reverses it and they stand up. Walker was shooting for one more takedown at the bell. Was that a 10-9 for Tokov off the takedowns or did he stall too much, and was Walker in fact the busier fighter in the round? The judges will decide.
Final result: The scores are 29-28 X3 unanimously for Vladimir Tokov.
John Teixeira vs. Kevin Croom
Blue gloves and black trunks for Croom, 18-11, fighting out of Kansas City, Missouri. Red gloves and black trunks for Teixeira, 21-4-2, fighting out of Macapa, Brazil. Our referee in charge of this fight is Jerin Valel.
Round 1: Glove tap to start. Teixeira catches him with two right hooks early and 23 seconds in Croom already looks a little staggered, but he knocks Teixeira off his feet at 44 seconds and presses him into the fence. Croom looks for a leg trip. Teixeira reverses the position and drives a knee to the ribs. He backs away at 2:08. The right hand lands again but he’s loading up the left as well. Croom tries to clinch up for knees, then dives for the legs, neither works. He goes for the legs again at 2:52 and Teixeira stuffs it. Teixeira rocks Croom and tags him again with the right as Croom dives for the legs one more time. Short uppercut catches Croom. He lands a left hand. Croom is just swinging wildly and praying at this point. Teixeira ducks a kick aimed at his head. Croom shoots and has Teixeira down to a knee for the last 30 seconds. 10-9 Teixeira.
Round 2: Teixeira quickly tags Croom with a combo as R2 gets underway. Croom tries to grab a thai plum but Teixeira has the dominant position and breaks at 52 seconds. There is blood streaming down the left side of Croom’s face. Teixeira is landing multiple hooks and uppercuts.Croom lands a leg kick at 1:48. Croom goes for the clinch again but Teixeira throws him and then locks in an anaconda choke. Croom drops to a knee to get out of it and Teixeira lets it go. Croom pushes Teixeira into the cage and draws multiple warnings to not grab it. Teixeira breaks free and lands a left. Teixeira with a hard knee to the body and a big right uppercut. Croom shoots and Teixeira sprawls to block it then chops the left leg with a kick. Croom’s takedown is stuffed again. That right uppercut is nasty for Teixeira. There’s a chance of a medical TKO between rounds. 10-8 Teixeira.
Round 3: Croom’s left eye is nearly swollen shut as R3 gets underway but they allowed him to continue to fight. Teixeira tags him with uppercuts again and takes him down at 21 seconds. Croom gives up his back and Teixeira gets both hooks in quickly. Croom slips out at 1:13 but is taken right down at 1:20. He gives up his back again at 1:32. If Teixeira could slip an arm under the chin he could end this quickly. Croom slips out of just that at 2:06. You can’t say Croom isn’t tougher than a two dollar steak. Teixeira keeps wrestling him to the ground over and over as we pass the halfway point. Teixeira has the back with both hooks in and 90 seconds left, firing away right hands as Croom tries to keep a hand up to defend himself. Teixeira rolls to his side looking for a choke with a minute left. He ends up with the back mount again and draws a warning for shots to the back of the head. Teixeira pitches a shutout but Croom was game throughout. 10-9 Teixeira.
Final result: 30-26, 29-27, 30-26 all for John Teixeira by unanimous decision.
Jordan Newman vs. Joseph Holmes
Red gloves for Newman, blue gloves for Holmes. Both men are 23 years old and making their pro debut in this Middleweight fight. Holmes is 181.4 and fights out of Mesquite, Texas. Newman is 185.7 and fights out of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our referee is Kerry Hatley.
Round 1: Newman gets a quick takedown to open the fight. John McCarthy tells us he was a two time division three NCAA champion. Mike Goldberg tells us he was also once “Wrestler of the Year” in division three. Holmes eats a knee as he gets up at 1:08. Both men square off in the center at 1:20. Holmes presses Newman into the cage moments later. He spins free at 2:09. He’s got a takedown at 2:30 and takes the back with one hook in as Holmes stands up. Holmes slips out and blocks a takedown attempt. Holmes pushes him away and Newman lets his hands go. They move to the center and Newman lands a flush left. Holmes lands a body kick. Newman gets another takedown at 4:12 to half guard. Newman goes for a d’arce choke with short time left. Homes survives. 10-9 Newman.
Round 2: Holmes hammers on Newman as he goes for a takedown, but he eventually gets it at 1:12. Holmes has his back against the fence so Newman has to turn him away so he can’t sit up or get up. Newman is considering a kimura as he throws left hands. The indecision lets Holmes get back up at 2:25. Holmes keeps him pressed into the cage and clocks him with a right hand. Newman tries to throw a kick as Holmes backs off. Newman shoots, lifts Holmes high in the air and slams Holmes down. Holmes was in guillotine but didn’t have the squeeze to finish it and quickly lets it go. Closer round but still 10-9 Newman.
Round 3: Holmes runs to the center to open R3. Newman throws a right and clinches with Holmes. He spins behind Newman and is looking to get the right hook in. Holmes is back up at 1:40. Holmes tags Newman with a combo and he falls as he tries to step to the side. He gets back up but Holmes has him against the cage attacking with elbows and knees. Holmes backs up at 2:52 and then Newman tries to tie him up. Holmes pulls free and comes forward. They move to the cage. Holmes was grabbing at the trunks but didn’t get a warning for it. Newman throws knees at Holmes as his back is on the fence. Newman gets a takedown at 4:02 to side control. This is a 10-9 round for Holmes since he came closer to finishing even though Newman was on top at the end.
Final result: The judges score it 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 for Newman by UD.