Bellator 177 results and highlights: Eduardo Dantas takes split decision over Leandro Higo

Here are the results and highlights from Bellator 177, including Eduardo Dantas besting Bellator newcomer Leandro Higo in a split decision.

Budapest, Hungary was the scene for Bellator 177: Dantas vs. Higo, as the evening’s highlight matchup saw Bellator’s bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas put his title to the side to earn a split decision victory over Bellator newcomer Leandro Higo. The co-main event on the evening saw a tightly contested tilt between top featherweights Daniel Weichel and John Teixeira, but it was Weichel that walked away with the win to set himself up for a shot at the winner of Daniel Straus and Patricio Freire.

Main Card:

Eduardo Dantas def. Leandro Higo by Split Decision (30-27x 2, 28-29): Bantamweight

Dantas instantly started the bout with a lightening quick jab to the face of Higo, before tenderizing his opponents leg with some well-placed leg kicks. Higo followed the lead of his opposition and landed a few leg kicks of his own, but Dantas proved to be the more refined fighter on the feet.

Dantas continued to show off his striking polish as he would jab at Higo, and move out of range before his opponent could return fire. Dantas switched up the gameplan and closed the distance with opponent, but it was Higo who came up with the takedown. The round would end with Higo pressing Dantas up against the Bellator cage.

The third round saw Dantas use his superior movement to move just out of harms way of Higo’s strikes. Higo did show more urgency coming down the stretch, as Dantas would backpedal a bit to avoid his opponent’s strikes. Higo found a moment of success as he held Dantas against the fence, but was unable to do much with the dominant position. Dantas would go on to pick up the split decision victory, as 2 of the 3 judges scored it for the bantamweight champion 30-27.

Watch Eduardo Dantas throw some spinning ish at Leandro Higo:

The champ’s technique is flawless! @dududantasmma #Bellator177 pic.twitter.com/ifiQMxgHcj

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 15, 2017

Daniel Weichel def. John Teixeira by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 28-29), : Featherweight

Teixeira hurt his opponent early with a jumbo right hand, but Weichel was able to recover rather quickly, to get himself back in the fight. As the opening round went on, the contest began to even out as Weichel managed to land a few clean straight punches, and Teixeira was launch his leg kicks.

Both men were content to stand and trade to open the second round, before Teixeira shot in after about 2 minutes. Weichel stuffed the takedown attempt to remain vertical, then began to land a bit of volume with his hands, as Teixeira’s output began to dwindle.

Weichel came out aggressive to start the final round, landing clean punches on a less fresh Teixeira. Although Teixeira landed a few strikes of his own, it was Weichel who was landing at a much higher clip down the stretch. Bellator 177’s co-main event was a razor close affair, but the judges awarded the split decision victory to Daniel Weichel.

Check out John Teixeira connect with some big bolos on Daniel Weichel:

.@JOHNMACAPA opens round one stunning “Drake” with a HUGE combination! #Bellator177 NOW on @spike! pic.twitter.com/NyQ735OXh6

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 15, 2017

Lena Ovchynnikova def. Helen Harper by TKO at 5:00 of round 2: (W) Flyweight

Helen Harper secured a takedown in about a minute into the match, and wasted little time in moving to full mount to land some ground strikes. Ovchynnikova reversed the position thanks to a failed Americana attempt, but ended up in a chain of Harper’s submissions; Armbar to Triangle. Ovchynnikova would slam her way out of danger, and return to her feet in time to secure a takedown of her own before the opening round expired.

The flyweights were going toe to toe before Harper secured a takedown, as brief as it was. Once back on her feet, Ovchynnikova seemed to pull away with the round as she continuously put hands on Harper. To put an exclamation point on the second frame, Ovchynnikova scored a takedown in the last 10 seconds of the round.

Helen Harper did not come out for the third round, and Lena Ovchynnikova picked up her first TKO finish in her 16-fight MMA career.

Watch Lena Ovchynnikova summon her inner Quinton Jackson and slam her way out of danger:

How did @LenaUniongym survive that onslaught of submission attempts by @hhhellraiser??? #Bellator177 pic.twitter.com/LRlQYatwbW

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 15, 2017

Ádám Borics def. Anthony Taylor by Submission (RNC) at 4:12 of round 1: Featherweight

Both men came out looking to bang, with Taylor landing an overhand right that cut Borics around his left eye. Taylor would find early top position, but stood back up as if he wanted no part of the ground game of Borics. After an inadvertent kick to the groin by Borics, Taylor came out with wild punches once the action resumed. Borics was able to find standing back control of Taylor, and began to unload punches to distract his opponent. When the opportunity presented itself, Borics locked up the standing Rear-Naked Choke, and Taylor was forced to tap. With an impressive first round stoppage in his promotional debut, Bellator’s featherweight division has a new prospect to keep an eye on.

Here are the results and highlights from Bellator 177, including Eduardo Dantas besting Bellator newcomer Leandro Higo in a split decision.

Budapest, Hungary was the scene for Bellator 177: Dantas vs. Higo, as the evening’s highlight matchup saw Bellator’s bantamweight champion Eduardo Dantas put his title to the side to earn a split decision victory over Bellator newcomer Leandro Higo. The co-main event on the evening saw a tightly contested tilt between top featherweights Daniel Weichel and John Teixeira, but it was Weichel that walked away with the win to set himself up for a shot at the winner of Daniel Straus and Patricio Freire.

Main Card:

Eduardo Dantas def. Leandro Higo by Split Decision (30-27x 2, 28-29): Bantamweight

Dantas instantly started the bout with a lightening quick jab to the face of Higo, before tenderizing his opponents leg with some well-placed leg kicks. Higo followed the lead of his opposition and landed a few leg kicks of his own, but Dantas proved to be the more refined fighter on the feet.

Dantas continued to show off his striking polish as he would jab at Higo, and move out of range before his opponent could return fire. Dantas switched up the gameplan and closed the distance with opponent, but it was Higo who came up with the takedown. The round would end with Higo pressing Dantas up against the Bellator cage.

The third round saw Dantas use his superior movement to move just out of harms way of Higo’s strikes. Higo did show more urgency coming down the stretch, as Dantas would backpedal a bit to avoid his opponent’s strikes. Higo found a moment of success as he held Dantas against the fence, but was unable to do much with the dominant position. Dantas would go on to pick up the split decision victory, as 2 of the 3 judges scored it for the bantamweight champion 30-27.

Watch Eduardo Dantas throw some spinning ish at Leandro Higo:

Daniel Weichel def. John Teixeira by Split Decision (29-28 x2, 28-29), : Featherweight

Teixeira hurt his opponent early with a jumbo right hand, but Weichel was able to recover rather quickly, to get himself back in the fight. As the opening round went on, the contest began to even out as Weichel managed to land a few clean straight punches, and Teixeira was launch his leg kicks.

Both men were content to stand and trade to open the second round, before Teixeira shot in after about 2 minutes. Weichel stuffed the takedown attempt to remain vertical, then began to land a bit of volume with his hands, as Teixeira’s output began to dwindle.

Weichel came out aggressive to start the final round, landing clean punches on a less fresh Teixeira. Although Teixeira landed a few strikes of his own, it was Weichel who was landing at a much higher clip down the stretch. Bellator 177’s co-main event was a razor close affair, but the judges awarded the split decision victory to Daniel Weichel.

Check out John Teixeira connect with some big bolos on Daniel Weichel:


Lena Ovchynnikova def. Helen Harper by TKO at 5:00 of round 2: (W) Flyweight

Helen Harper secured a takedown in about a minute into the match, and wasted little time in moving to full mount to land some ground strikes. Ovchynnikova reversed the position thanks to a failed Americana attempt, but ended up in a chain of Harper’s submissions; Armbar to Triangle. Ovchynnikova would slam her way out of danger, and return to her feet in time to secure a takedown of her own before the opening round expired.

The flyweights were going toe to toe before Harper secured a takedown, as brief as it was. Once back on her feet, Ovchynnikova seemed to pull away with the round as she continuously put hands on Harper. To put an exclamation point on the second frame, Ovchynnikova scored a takedown in the last 10 seconds of the round.

Helen Harper did not come out for the third round, and Lena Ovchynnikova picked up her first TKO finish in her 16-fight MMA career.

Watch Lena Ovchynnikova summon her inner Quinton Jackson and slam her way out of danger:


Ádám Borics def. Anthony Taylor by Submission (RNC) at 4:12 of round 1: Featherweight

Both men came out looking to bang, with Taylor landing an overhand right that cut Borics around his left eye. Taylor would find early top position, but stood back up as if he wanted no part of the ground game of Borics. After an inadvertent kick to the groin by Borics, Taylor came out with wild punches once the action resumed. Borics was able to find standing back control of Taylor, and began to unload punches to distract his opponent. When the opportunity presented itself, Borics locked up the standing Rear-Naked Choke, and Taylor was forced to tap. With an impressive first round stoppage in his promotional debut, Bellator’s featherweight division has a new prospect to keep an eye on.