Bellator 150: “Kongo vs. Queiroz” took place tonight (Fri., Feb. 26, 2016) inside Kansas Star Casino in Mulvane, Kansas, streaming live on Spike TV.
The main event featured two Heavyweight contenders who needed another win to solidify their claim to face Vitaly Minakov — if Bellator can ever get the champion to return that is. Either way Cheick Kongo and Vinicius Queiroz both set out to prove they’re next in line after Bellator 150.
Kongo fought the kind of fight that he wanted to. He let Quieroz move forward and countered with leg kicks, turned him into the fence to land knees, and held Quieroz chest to chest when “Spartan” got takedowns to avoid damage.
It was a technical if unexciting performance resulting in a 30-27, 28-29, 29-28 split decision in Kongo’s favor. No post-fight interview was attempted or needed after this grueling fight.
Kongo seemed half asleep before this fight even began.
The heavyweights are hitting the #Bellator150 cage! #MainEventTime pic.twitter.com/Oa4XT6I4L3
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2016
Popular Lightweight fighter David Rickels came home to Kansas after a disappointing rematch with Michael Chandler. “The Caveman” had to hope a rebound was in order on home turf as he faced “Super Duper” Bobby Cooper.
Another tremendous walkout by @TheCaveman316 #Bellator150https://t.co/1vyK6B03ln
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2016
Rickels seemed calmer and more reserved for the first minute of the fight, bouncing around on his feet like a boxer and attacking Cooper with leg kicks, but you can’t keep a good “Caveman” from brawling for long. Even though Cooper landed some good counter shots in the exchanges, it was a big knee by Rickels that led to a big TKO at 3:49 of R1.
Rickels spoke to Jimmy Smith after the first round finish.
“Man I promised savagery! Caveman promised savagery and I brought it tonight! I’m always adding to my arsenal but it’s that Caveman savagery. I’m coming at you man and sometimes you’ll end up in a pool of blood on the canvas. Thank you for coming out to the Kansas Star — I LOVE THIS CITY!!”
Smith asked Rickels if he wants to tie Patricio Pitbull for the most wins in Bellator history.
“I’m coming for that number one spot!! We need an American up there!!”
Jimmy Smith spoke to Royce Gracie to fill some time and asked about his fight with Ken Shamrock last week.
“I tried to step away but Scott Coker pulled me right back in. Man — it’s hard to step away. I stopped fighting, but (that) didn’t mean I stopped training and teaching and so (I) always kept myself in shape. When I received the phone call I was like ‘Nahhh’ but then I was like ‘Yup! I wanna do this.'”
Smith asked him about Shamrock trying to get the result overturned.
“Man! I beat him in the past, and I beat him this time. With result (or) no result he knows I won.”
Jimmy Smith promised that Spike TV would air a full replay of Bellator 149 on Sat., Mar. 5.
Long time Middleweight veteran Kendall “Da Spyder” Grove looked to halt the momentum of Francisco “Kiko” France, who hadn’t lost a bought in seven fights coming into the Kansas Star Casino on Friday night.
France had a very effective strategy for the first 300 seconds – stay at distance and punish Grove’s lead leg with kicks. Several were so hard that they made Grove wince or stumble. Grove had his fill of that game and closed the distance to open R2, landing a right hand for the KO at 35 seconds.
HUGE KO by @kendallgrovemma #Bellator150 #DaSpyder pic.twitter.com/uwiR7gnXjl
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2016
Grove spoke to Jimmy Smith after a highlight reel win.
“I’d like to dedicate this fight to my brother. He lost his life a month ago today. This is for you Martini! I didn’t expect the leg kicks but I think I adjusted well. When it was time I had to let the beast out. I didn’t let it out when my brother died, I was in camp, but he was with me here tonight and that’s how he wanted it to be done.”
The returning Gaston Reyno looked to notch his sixth first round win at Featherweight, but former World Series of Fighting competitor Chuka Willis stood in his way.
Reyno was taken to the limit for the first time in his career, as Willis seemed to be physically stronger and more precise with his shots, dropping Reyno in the first minute of R2, throwing him to the ground almost at will. A couple of guillotine attempts (including one very late) were all Reyno could muster — going down 29-28 and 30-27 X2.
And just like that, Chuka Willis takes the win! pic.twitter.com/rjafa5f0G0
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2016
The Spike TV card opened with a pair of promising female Flyweights in the form of Lena Ovchynnikova and Rebecca Ruth. Ruth looked strong in round one, reversing a takedown and unloading with knees to the ribs, keeping Ovchynnikova pressed into the fence eating shots in the last minute.
Things did not get better for Ovchynnikova in R2 as she got dropped by a right hand, rocked by another, and had all attempts at a throw blocked or reversed. Ruth had an armbar late but Ovchynnikova was saved by the bell. Round three did not go her way either. The judges gave it to Ruth 29-28 X2 and 30-27.
Unanimous decision victory by @RebeccaRuthMMA in her #BellatorMMA debut!! #Ruthless #Bellator150 pic.twitter.com/DUwSBnX5zb
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 27, 2016
Ruth spoke to Jimmy Smith after her dominant win.
“I felt wonderful. She’s a wonderful opponent, she’s great. USA — right here! You can’t always take the easy road — you’ve got to make it rough sometimes.”
The televised bouts were paired with exciting “Prelims” action that aired exclusively on Spike.com.