Bellator 146 Results: Winners, Scorecards, Reaction from Kato vs. Manhoef

In Friday night’s battle with Hisaki Kato at Bellator 146 in Thackerville, Oklahoma, Melvin Manhoef didn’t disappoint.

In a fast and furious first round that saw both Manhoef and Kato have their moments, it was the 39-year-old masher from the Netherlands who would land the telling blow. 

Backed into a corner, Manhoef struck like a desperate animal. His weapon of choice was a vicious left hook that knocked Kato cold. Here’s another look at the finish:

Manhoef spoke after his big win:

There isn’t a more automatic action fighter in combat sports than Manhoef. His last six fights have all ended via stoppage. Unfortunately for him, he’s been on the business end of three of those finishes. One doesn’t officially count. His loss to Alexander Shlemenko via spinning backfist KO was ruled a no contest because the Russian failed a pre-fight drug test.

At some point, there’s a concern about the amount of wars Manhoef has been involved in. However, on Friday, Kato was the man left picking up the pieces.

H had come off one of the best KOs of the year over Joe Schilling. It looked as if he might be about to get another highlight-reel finish, but then Manhoef‘s left-hand counter sent him sprawling. 

In the end, both fighters walk away from this bout with their cages rattled, but their appeal a few notches higher. Here’s a look at all of the results from the main card.

 

Non-Televised Preliminary Card Results

 

Girtz Gets Revenge on Campos

We expected an explosive finish in the main event, but not necessarily in the rematch between Brandon Girtz and Derek Campos.

Girtz took just 37 seconds to gain vengeance for his 2013 loss to Campos. He landed two hard right hands in the opening seconds that put Campos down and out. Here’s a look at Girtz‘s decimation of Campos:

Because this bout was short—and exciting —we can expect the two men to potentially meet in a rubber match somewhere down the line. 

 

Jenkins Earns Decision

There’s no questioning Bubba Jenkins’ talent. On Friday night against Jordan Parsons, Jenkins avoided the big strike that has been his undoing in previous fights, and he earned a split-decision win.

Using the threat of his vaunted takedown skills and some well-placed striking, Jenkins controlled the action and dictated the tempo of the fight. It was a workmanlike performance from Jenkins against a good fighter.

Jenkins talked about his win after the bout:

 

Njokunai Wins Unimpressively

Chidi Njokuani was lucky to escape with a win on Friday. The bout could have easily been ruled a draw as Ricky Rainey was able to impose his will as a wrestler through the first round and into the second. 

Njokuani did some decent work in the second round with his striking, but the last round felt like more of a stalemate than a frame that should’ve been scored in Njokuani‘s favor. Nonetheless, Njokuani was the man who got the nod from the judges.

 

Viana Smashes Alexander

Houston Alexander showed great heart, but Guilherme Viana had too much firepower for the veteran. From the very beginning of the first round, Viana put pressure on Alexander and hurt him on multiple occasions. Viana‘s striking should have led to a 10-8 first round, but the judges’ scores would be inconsequential.

In the second round, Viana smashed elbows to Alexander’s face. It opened up a cut on the latter’s eyelid. Alexander was trying to hang in the fight, but the cageside doctor took a look at his eye and mercifully called an end to the bout.

Here’s a closeup look at Alexander’s face. Yeah, that’ll do it.

 

What’s Next?

At Bellator 147 on December 4 from San Jose, California, Josh Thomson will face Pablo Villaseca in a key lightweight bout. Georgi Karakhanyan will also battle Daniel Weichel in a featherweight clash. If there are as many finishes in the next card as there were on Friday, fans should enjoy the next card.

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