Bellator 153: “Koreshkov vs. Henderson” took place tonight (Fri., April 22, 2016) from inside Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., streaming live on Spike TV. The main event saw Andrey Koreshkov attempt to defend his Welterweight title for the first time against the debuting Benson Henderson, fresh out of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and getting an immediate title shot off his reputation coming in.
Did “Spartan” shut down the “Smooth” fight style or was a new champion crowned?
For five straight rounds Henderson searched for answers and was unable to solve the puzzle. Koreshkov’s strongest round was the first, but there was no round he didn’t control. He hurt Henderson over and over with knees, fists and spinning kicks. Henderson would respond by looking for takedowns, but he couldn’t take the bigger and stronger Koreshkov off his feet.
On to the 5th and final round! #Bellator153 pic.twitter.com/r0wBLWArAB
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2016
By the fifth round Henderson had to resort to flopping to his back any time he got tagged, praying that Koreshkov would jump on top and let him play the jiu-jitsu game. Koreshkov wisely chose to back away and force “Big” John McCarthy to stand up Henderson, so the strategy never paid dividends. All three judges scored it 50-45 for Koreshkov and for once Henderson didn’t shock the world by outpointing his opponent in a five-round main event.
Jimmy Smith spoke to Andrey Koreshkov and his translator after the fight.
“I knew it from the beginning. My coach Alexander Shlemenko told me that I would win every round in this fight. I won it with him with his help and with the help of my team and all the other teams. I really want to ask you please let my coach Alexander Shlemenko to get in the cage with me now.”
Instead he got Henderson, who gave him a hug and Jimmy Smith an interview.
“I’m sad. I hate losing. I hate it more than anybody else on this entire planet. Props, hats off to Andrey — tough as heck. Coming in we knew how tough he was. We knew it was going to be a good fight, tough fight, big as heck strong as heck. RRRRR. I’m going to listen the bosses, see what they say, talk to Scott to Mike to Rich those guys and see where we go from here. I know one thing though — I don’t like losing. I want to get back in there right away.”
Second from the top, Patricio “Pitbull” Freire took on a late replacement opponent in Henry Corrales, unsuccessful in two previous fights against Daniel Straus and Emmanuel Sanchez, hoping that the third time was indeed the charm.
It was not.
The fans were unhappy with the tentative striking of Freire and Corrales in the fight, which the announcers thought may have been partially because of Freire injuring his ribs, but it ultimately didn’t make a difference. Corrales kicked off to get up from a takedown late in round two, Freire quickly jumped guard, and Corrales tapped via guillotine at 4:09.
Another strong finish by @PatricioPitbull!! #GuillotineWin #Bellator153 pic.twitter.com/od57DdCKtT
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2016
Jimmy Smith spoke to Freire after the fight, answering in both Portuguese and English.
“I did hurt a little bit from the ribs. He was throwing some awkward blows, but I listened to my corner and I was able to take him down and eventually get the submission. After my loss to Straus I am prepared for everything. I am a complete fighter, and I am here to be more complete than the whole division. Straus — I’m ready for you bro. I’m gonna take my belt back bro. Prepare – be ready!”
Welterweights seem to always be featured at the Mohegan Sun and this card was no exception, as Brennan Ward took on the debuting Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos in what was only his second fight over the last two years.
This one was over in just 30 seconds. Ward caught the first kick that Santos threw, and tried to transition from that to a back take, but Santos immediately rolled for a leg. Moments later Ward tapped verbally to the heel hook.
And the very slick heel hook by #CyborgSantos for the win #Bellator153https://t.co/MHzGzY5xUC
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2016
Jimmy Smith spoke to Santos via translator after the fight.
“He has a week heel so I had my eyes on the heel hook — I was looking to take his foot home. I came here to get my hands on the belt.”
Explosive striker Michael “Venom” Page looked to remain undefeated as he faced the challenge of Jeremie Holloway in his second Bellator bout.
Holloway charged straight at Page to open the fight and got knocked down with a right for his trouble. He managed to recover and clinch Page against the fence, but an errant shot to the groin gave Page a restart, where he hurt Holloway standing and submitted him with a toe hold when it went to the ground.
Started like this and ended with the counter toe hold @Michaelpage247 #Bellator153 pic.twitter.com/wjqnFVoKXY
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2016
The entire fight took 2:15. The walkouts to the cage took longer. Jimmy Smith had plenty of time for a post-fight interview and Page took full advantage.
“Man I think everyone’s going to try to do that. They’re going to try and rush me. They don’t want me to be able to do what I do in here. They’re going to try close me down but I’m always ready — it’s loaded all the time. This is the kind of stuff I’m trying to say to people. I’m in the gym working on my all around game. When things like that happen I’m ready for it and I can finish the same way.”
Jimmy Smith revealed that Page will fight Fernando Gonzalez on July 16, 2016, in London, England, asking what’s in store for him.
“The exact same thing — and worse. I like the fact that Fernando Gonzalez can stay in a fight. That just means I get to show you guys even more of my game. I’ve got so much more, so much more, and he is going to GET IT in London. Make sure you tune in!”
Rounding out the card was a Lightweight match between Brent Primus and Gleristone Santos. Primus tried and failed multiple times to get a takedown through two rounds, and Santos would make him pay in each exchange. He was arguably winning round three as well until Primus got a late takedown and some nice ground and pound at the end.
Despite seeming to be ahead after 10 minutes Santos once again found judges rending a split decision. Primus got 29-28 from two judges, with one seeing it 29-28 for Santos.
.@brentprimus155 takes the unanimous victory in a hard fought battle #Bellator153 pic.twitter.com/xdWJdrQNy2
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2016
Primus spoke to Jimmy Smith about how close it was in round three.
“It was really close so I had to really push it. He’s definitely a tough guy, I knew it was going to be a tough fight coming into this, luckily I trained hard so I could push through at the very end. I want somebody — a good name that’s going to move me up in the rankings — a top ten guy.”
The televised bouts were paired with exciting “Prelims” action that aired exclusively on Spike.com.