Bellator 149 video recap: Gracie defeats Shamrock via controversial first round TKO

Part three of the Royce Gracie-Ken Shamrock rivalry ended in favor of the Brazilian once again.

The night’s main event was another throwback to the old days of MMA. The rekindled rivalry between mixed martial arts’ godfathers Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie still proved to be relevant enough, more than two decades since it all started.

It was still expected that Royce would take the fight to the ground, while Shamrock could find more success on the feet. It would also be a first time both men would be fighting under the regulated setting, unlike the more no holds barred fights they would have during the days of vintage UFC.

What was the high point of the fight?

The entire fight was pretty much a 2016 version of UFC 1 and UFC 5. Royce still employed the same flat-footed stance while trying to ward off Sharmock with his forward kicks.

His game remained the same wherein he would get himself to clinch range, then would already be setting himself up to take the fight to the ground. But this time around, he instead opted to throw knees and was seemingly aiming to put his stand-up skills on display.

One of those knees landed low, and it led to the controversial finish.

Where do these two go from here?

It does not look like Ken Shamrock is hanging it up any time soon, being an active competitor at age 52. A third bout against Dan Severn is currently planned for next month.

Gracie, on the other hand, may head back to the sidelines, unless he wants to take on more nostalgia fights, against Sakuraba, perhaps.

Watch it now, later, or never?

If you are ever curious to see how Gracie and Shamrock would do in today’s MMA environment, this fight could be the perfect answer to that.

A triumphant return to the cage for @realroyce! #Bellator149https://t.co/N0FJbjyMc1

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 20, 2016

Part three of the Royce Gracie-Ken Shamrock rivalry ended in favor of the Brazilian once again.

The night’s main event was another throwback to the old days of MMA. The rekindled rivalry between mixed martial arts’ godfathers Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie still proved to be relevant enough, more than two decades since it all started.

It was still expected that Royce would take the fight to the ground, while Shamrock could find more success on the feet. It would also be a first time both men would be fighting under the regulated setting, unlike the more no holds barred fights they would have during the days of vintage UFC.

What was the high point of the fight?

The entire fight was pretty much a 2016 version of UFC 1 and UFC 5. Royce still employed the same flat-footed stance while trying to ward off Sharmock with his forward kicks.

His game remained the same wherein he would get himself to clinch range, then would already be setting himself up to take the fight to the ground. But this time around, he instead opted to throw knees and was seemingly aiming to put his stand-up skills on display.

One of those knees landed low, and it led to the controversial finish.

Where do these two go from here?

It does not look like Ken Shamrock is hanging it up any time soon, being an active competitor at age 52. A third bout against Dan Severn is currently planned for next month.

Gracie, on the other hand, may head back to the sidelines, unless he wants to take on more nostalgia fights, against Sakuraba, perhaps.

Watch it now, later, or never?

If you are ever curious to see how Gracie and Shamrock would do in today’s MMA environment, this fight could be the perfect answer to that.