Weekend MMA Rundown: MMA World Stays Busy in UFC’s Absence

The UFC was off this weekend, but the MMA world kept turning through numerous regional promotions.To start with, Bellator continued their seventh season with the quarterfinals of their lightweight tournament. There were some surprises, as well as fun f…

The UFC was off this weekend, but the MMA world kept turning through numerous regional promotions.

To start with, Bellator continued their seventh season with the quarterfinals of their lightweight tournament. There were some surprises, as well as fun fights.

Ricardo Tirloni punched his ticket to the semifinals with a D’arce choke over Rene Nazare. Also earning his way into the semifinals with a submission was Dave Jansen, who choked out Magomed Saadulaev with a guillotine.

The last two men making their way to the semifinals are Rich Clementi and Marcin Held, who won their fights by decision. Clementi defeated highly touted Russian prospect Alexander Sarnavskiy by split decision, while Held defeated Murad Machaev by unanimous decision.

Also notably on the preliminary card, Cosmo Alexandre and Lew Polley earned victories. Alexandre earned a doctor’s stoppage over Mike Bannon, while Polley, most known as Junior dos Santos’ wrestling coach on The Ultimate Fighter 13, won a unanimous decision over UFC veteran Carmelo Marrero.

In Japan, Deep 60 put on a fun card with intriguing Japanese talent. UFC veterans Daisuke Nakamura and Kazuhiro Nakamura earned victories in their respective bouts.

Daisuke defeated Takafumi Ito via knockout from a flying knee and punches. It was an incredible knockout that showed why Daisuke Nakamura should earn another invitation back to the UFC.

Kazuhiro Nakamura defeated Ryuta Sakurai by majority decision in a close fight. Plus, Yoshiyuki Nakanishi added another win to his resume with a unanimous decision victory over Yuki Niimura.

In Canada, Score Fighting Series 6 went down with some great fights. That was, until the main event left fans desiring more.

In the main event, Brad Cardinal and Chris Horodecki fought to a no-contest when a cut opened up on Horodecki‘s head from an inadvertent headbutt.

Notable winners by knockout were Rick Glenn and Tony Hervey. Glenn, a Roufusport representative, defeated London Whitlock in the third round, while Hervey knocked out Jorge Patino in the second.

Lastly, top Canadan bantamweight John Fraser earned a unanimous nod over UFC veteran Tyler Toner. It is another win that is moving him closer to the UFC.

In Brazil, Shooto Brazil was active this weekend with a good fight card. Notable winners on the card included Ismael de Jesus, John Macapa and Jose Maria Tome.

Macapa, a veteran of TUF: Brazil, earned a doctor stoppage over Rafael da Silva. Also winning by knockout, Tome destroyed Leo Jacare with some brutal punches.

In the main event, de Jesus submitted respected Brazilan Daniel Acacio with a keylock. It was a big win over a big name, which could go a long way for de Jesus.

Quickly, in Australia and India, several notables fought in less-publicized cards.

In Nitro MMA in Australia, Jai Bradney defeated Greg Atzori via guillotine choke. Plus, in India, Super Fight League hosted a smaller card headlined with a win by Lakhwinder Sekhon over Mohamed Abdel Hamid.

Next weekend, the UFC is still off, but the MMA world will continue to put on good fights. 

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