Bellator 186: “Bader vs. Vassell” takes place TONIGHT (Fri., Nov. 3, 2017) at Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa., featuring recently-crowned Light Heavyweight champion, Ryan Bader (23-5), against Linton “The Swarm” Vassell (18-5, 1 NC), winner of three straight fights.
Former 205-pound champion Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis is also in action on tonight’s card as he seeks to earn a third fight with Bader against the undefeated Leo Leite (10-0). In addition, a key Flyweight bout will see Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (6-0) accept a rematch with a familiar foe in Emily Ducote (6-2) for the inaugural title.
Bellator 186 will start at 9 p.m. ET on Spike TV with “Prelims” undercard action on Spike.com at 7 p.m. ET. MMAmania.com will deliver results and play-by-play for the entirety of the Bellator MMA card.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action. Feel free to leave a comment (or 186) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
BELLATOR 186 QUICK RESULTS:
Ryan Bader vs. Linton Vassell —
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Emily Ducote —
Ed Ruth vs. Chris Dempsey — Ruth KO 0:27 R2.
Phil Davis vs. Leo Leite — in progress.
Zach Freeman vs. Saad Awad — Awad TKO 1:07 R1.
Matt Lozano vs. Dominick Mazzotta — Mazzotta TKO (doctor) 2:37 R1.
Mike Putnam vs. Scott Clymer — Clymer TKO 3:07 R1.
Francis Healy vs. Frank Buenafuente — Buenafuente UD 30-27, 29-28 X2.
Ethan Goss vs. Andrew Salas — Salas SD 29-28, 28-29, 29-28.
Brett Martinez vs. Mike Wilkins — Wilkins via sub (RNC) 1:09 R2.
Logan Storley vs. Matt Secor — Storley UD 30-26, 30-27 X2.
Tywan Claxton vs. Johnny Bonilla-Bowman — Claxton KO 1:29 R1.
Michael Trizano vs. Mike Otwell — Trizano via sub (d’arce) 2:07 R2.
Josh Fremd vs. Ryan Parker — Fremd via sub (RNC) 1:25 R2.
BELLATOR 186 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Ryan Bader vs. Linton Vassell
The champion Bader is 23-5 and fights out of Tempe, AZ. His opponent Vassell is 18-5 and fights out of Milton Keynes, England.
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Final result:
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Emily Ducote
Macfarlane is a perfect 6-0 and fights out of San Diego, CA. It’s a rematch for her and Ducote, who comes in 6-2 and fights out of Oklahoma City, OK.
Round 1:
Round 2:
Round 3:
Round 4:
Round 5:
Final result:
Ed Ruth vs. Chris Dempsey
Ed Ruth is a perfect 3-0 and the Penn State graduate fights out of Fresno, CA. His opponent Chris Dempsey is 11-5 and fights out of Ambridge, PA. Ruth has the red gloves and black trunks tonight. Dempsey has on the blue gloves and red trunks. Our referee is Dan Miragliotta.
Round 1: A respectful glove tap starts R1. Dempsey is pushed backward as Ruth takes a few shots. Ruth kicks him in the body and circles to his back as Dempsey seems stunned, taking the back and getting one hook in as the partisan crowd chants for him. Dempsey tries to get up at 1:27 but Ruth keeps on riding him from behind, ending up on top in side control at 1:55. He backs out and then gets on top in half guard at 2:27, quickly moving to full mount. Dempsey squirms as Ruth unloads with his hands, giving up his back and getting back to his feet. Ruth tags him with lefts and rights standing. Dempsey keeps the right hand tucked by his chin and lets it follow the left when he unloads for a combo. Ruth pushes him into the fence at 4:15 but Dempsey breaks free. Ruth goes for a single leg and gets it at 4:36. Ruth avoids a guillotine attempt and jumps to side, ending the round North-South. 10-9 Ruth.
Round 2: Both men are content to stand and bang for the first 27 seconds until Ruth lands a KILL SHOT right hand behind the ear that drops Dempsey and leads his former coach Cael Sanderson applauding in the crowd.
Final result: Ed Ruth wins via knockout at 0:27 of the second round.
Phil Davis vs. Leo Leite
Davis is 17-4, a Penn State alum, and hails from Harrisburg, PA fighting out of San Diego, CA. His opponent Leite is a perfect 10-0 and fights out of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Davis has the red gloves and pink trunks on tonight. Leite has on the blue gloves and blue trunks. Our referee in charge of this contest is Keith Peterson.
Round 1: Two left hands reach out and tap gloves to get us underway. Davis is opening up with his hands early, throwing combos and forcing Leite to clinch up with him to avoid the reach advantage Davis has. Davis turns him around against fence and tries to overpower him to the canvas for a takedown. Second attempt works at 1:44, Leite goes for a leg lock, Davis spins his way out and looks to take Leite’s back on the fence. Leite gets back up and eats a couple of knees before Davis backs off at 2:20. Davis thumps a heavy kick into Leite’s left leg. Leite is clipped with a left behind the ear and Davis sails over his head with a kick that shaved a few hairs. Leite lands a left hook as Davis pressures. Davis continues to pressure and Leite responds with a flurry and a leg kick. 10-9 round for Davis.
Round 2: Another glove tap starts this round. Davis clips Leite with a left hook early. Body kick by Davis. Leite takes an accidental poke to the left eye and Peterson calls time. Leite is cleared to continue and Peterson warns Davis to be more careful. Leite charges at Davis but he slips under or away from most of the strikes. Leite tries to grapple with Davis and he slips away. Davis lands a leg kick. Davis is constantly pressuring and controlling the cage. Leite is pushed into the fence to eat some knees. Davis backs off at 3:06. Davis pushes him into the fence again at 3:20. The crowd chants “LET’S GO DAVIS.” Davis gets underhooks and looks for a leg trip. Leite breaks free at 4:16. Davis lands a left hook at 4:38. Another 10-9 for Davis.
Round 3: Leite is running out of time and opportunities to turn the fight around and keeps getting caught with the left hook from Davis. Every now and then he tries to bumrush Davis but “Mr. Wonderful” is easily able to avoid the shots. Davis takes him down at 1:36 with a leg trip but he pops right back up. Davis backs up at 1:50 and sizes Leite up. The right jab is connecting with increasing frequency for Davis. Davis boxes and faints a level change just to keep Leite guessing. Under two minutes remain. Davis nearly takes the back standing but Leite slips away. Another left hook lands for Davis, who drives Leite backward into the fence for more knees. Davis pops Leite with a stiff right when he breaks off at 4:12. Leite needs to sell out for the last 30 seconds to have any chance. He looks gassed. Leite does nothing and Davis will get the decision.
Final result:
Zach Freeman vs. Saad Awad
Freeman is 9-2 coming into tonight’s fight out of St. Louis, MO. His opponent Awad is 20-9 and fights out of San Bernardino, CA. Freeman has the blue gloves and black trunks, Awad the red gloves and red trunks. Our referee in charge is Keith Peterson.
Round 1: Both men exchange a hard glove tap to open R1. Awad holds the center and eats a leg kick. Freeman circles on the outside and eats a leg kick in kind. Freeman lands a left but gets hurt by a right behind the ear, he stumbles and faceplants before Awad can land the next punch, and it’s waved off a few seconds later.
Final result: Saad Awad via technical knockout at 1:07 in the first round.
Matt Lozano vs. Dominick Mazzotta
Mazzotta has a 12-2 record, light blue trunks and red gloves fighting out of Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania. Lozano has an 8-5 record, blue gloves and black trunks fighting out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Keith Peterson is the referee.
Round 1: Mazzotta throws a spin kick early. He gets a takedown at 48 seconds looking for some hammers and elbows. Lozano tries to tie up the arms but the right eye gets split open anyway. Mazzotta backs away at 1:59 and then dives back on top. Lozano is being warned that he has to fight back. Peterson calls time and sends the doctor in to check on Lozano’s cut, which is deep and right on the eyelid. The fight is waved off.
Final result: Dominick Mazzotta wins by TKO (doctor’s stoppage) 2:37 of round one.
Mike Putnam vs. Scott Clymer
Round 1: Unaired on Spike.com.
Final result: Scott Clymer wins by TKO at 3:07 of the first round.
Francis Healy vs. Frank Buenafuente
Healy and Buenafuente are both 7-4. Healy has the red gloves and white trunks, fighting out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Buenafuente has the blue gloves and white trunks with black trim, fighting out of Garfield, New Jersey. Our referee is Bill Bookwalter.
Round 1: Healy takes the center and is pushed back to the fence by Buenafuente as he searches for a takedown. He’s got it at 46 seconds but Healy pops right back up. Buenafuente has it again at 1:05 and is in full guard. Buenafuente is trying to tune him up on the ground with shots to the body. Healy isn’t giving him much chance to posture up and is constantly moving backward toward the fence. He’s trying to push off the fence with his feet to escape, and actually links his toes in the cage, but the ref doesn’t call him on it. He keeps doing it multiple times. Why isn’t Bookwalter doing anything about this? An armbar attempt fails. Healy gets back up and is single legged down at 3:45. Buenafuente now has side control. He’s spun back to between the legs before the round ends. 10-9 Buenafuente.
Round 2: A glove tap opens R2. Buenafuente throws a couple of big rights that don’t land. Healy comes forward jabbing and kicking. Buenafuente tries to throw lefts and rights as he’s backing up but he gets hit with a left and opts for a single leg. Buenafuente tries to improve position once he’s got Healy grounded but Healy is able to sit up at 1:40. Buenafuente keeps trying to suck in the right leg to keep Healy from standing and pop his chin with lefts. Healy nearly gives up his back and goes to his back rather than standing and letting Buenafuente take it. Both men are breathing hard from their effort so far. Healy links his toes in the cage again and Bookwalter isn’t doing jack about it. You’d think it wasn’t even a rule. Buenafuente turns Healy away from the fence and is on top in closed guard. Bookwalter warns them to get busy at with short time remaining. Healy stands back up at 4:27. Buenafuente puts him right back down and lands some elbows. 10-9 Buenafuente.
Round 3: Bookwalter gives Buenafuente a warning to be busier on top before R3 gets underway. Healy comes forward jabbing and kicking and now he’s the one looking for a clinch and a takedown. Healy drops levels but Buenafuente rolls through the attempt and gets back to his feet. They end up on the fence again and Healy can’t stop the takedown. Healy tries to make him pay for it with right elbows to the head. Healy tries to trap Buenafuente there in a crucifix and Bookwalter has seen a stalemate for long enough, resetting them to the feet with under two minutes left. Healy comes forward swinging but gets tagged with a right hand and Buenafuente gets another takedown at 3:48. Healy is trying to get an armbar but he’s not in position to complete it. Bookwalter tells them to work. Buenafuente throws left hands. Healy gets up at 4:34. They grapple against the cage for the last ten seconds. Buenafuente should take the decision.
Final result: The judges score this contest 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 all for Buenafuente.
Ethan Goss vs. Andrew Salas
Round 1: Unaired on Spike.com.
Final result: Andrew Salas wins via split decision 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28.
Brett Martinez vs. Mike Wilkins
Martinez is 6-4 in the red gloves and white trunks, fighting out of Palmerton, Pennsylvania. Wilkins is 7-4 in the blue gloves and white trunks, fighting out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Our referee is Bill Bookwalter.
Round 1: Martinez tries to get a single leg and can’t hang onto it. Wilkins tries to take the back against the cage. Wilkins nails him with an elbow and his corner yells that Martinez is hurt. He drops to his knees looking for a takedown and Wilkins shakes his head to say “NAH.” He keeps nailing Martinez with body shots with his hands and knees. Martinez gets back up and eats another hard right hand. Martinez is squinting. He may not be able to see out of his right eye. 2:30 is gone. Wilkins lands another elbow over the top and a knee to the body. Martinez is having a terrible time against the cage and wisely breaks off with 80 seconds to go. Wilkins tags him with another right. Martinez tries to shoot again and eats about a half dozen knees in a row. This wasn’t a 10-8 round but it was a very one-sided 10-9 for Wilkins.
Round 2: Wilkins is unafraid of anything Martinez has for him and comes in rocking him with shots at 35 seconds. Martinez drops to his knees covering up and Wilkins takes the back looking for the rear naked choke. He has it at 1:09.
Final result: Mike Wilkins wins via submission (rear naked choke) at 1:09 of the second round.
Logan Storley vs. Matt Secor
Storley is 6-0 in the red gloves and black trunks fighting out of Webster, South Dakota. Secor is 9-4 in the blue gloves and black trunks with white trim fighting out of South Glens Falls, New York. Our referee in charge is Dan Miragliotta.
Round 1: Storley is aggressive from the opening bell, throwing lots of kicks and inching Secor backward as he does. The kicks are focusing on Secor’s left leg and thudding loudly when they land. Secor starts throwing hands in response so Storley goes for a takedown and gets it. Storley has split Secor open with an elbow and some heavy right hands. The blood is painting the canvas. Miragliotta warns Storley about a thumb to the throat. The cut is on the forehead above the left eye. Secor rolls back to his knees at 3:10 but Storley is not letting him stand and continues to drive the right knee into his shoulder. Secor tries to stand and gets nailed with a right hand. Secor scoots forward on his butt looking to throw kicks. Miragliotta finally makes him stand at 4:40. Storley dumps him to the mat with authority at 4:50. This is a blowout 10-8 round for Storley.
Round 2: Secor is taken down 35 seconds into the second round. Miragliotta reminds Storley he’s got to work on top. A second warning comes at 1:38 and Miragliotta stands them up 7 seconds later. Storley is wearing Secor’s blood as he stands and delivers a leg kick. Secor’s got his left hand down low and his right cocked. Storley slams Secor to the ground with a double at 2:55. Miragliotta warns Storley to stay busy with a minute left. He stands them up 12 seconds later. Secor comes forward swinging and is taken right back down again. A 10-9 round for Storley who finishes it with some more elbows and a right hand.
Round 3: Storley and Secor exchange hands for 19 seconds until Storley takes Secor down with authority. At this juncture I can’t imagine why Miragliotta would stand them up again, because Storley will just quickly dump him on the mat, but he probably will anyway. Storley works shots to the body as Secor tries to control the arms and work his legs up around Storley’s back. Short left hands from Storley land to the head and Secor says “hit me baby!” Storley blasts him with a right hand. Miragliotta stands them up at 2:40 as predicted. Secor goes for a takedown and Storley sprawls heavy to block it. Miragliotta accuses him of just holding the North-South position and calls for work. Storley turns it into a double leg at 4:11. Please don’t bother with another stand-up. This should be a shutout for Storley on the scorecards. Secor stands up late to no avail as he’s taken right back down at the bell.
Final result: The judges score it 30-26, 30-27 and 30-27 all for Logan Storley.
Tywan Claxton vs. Johnny Bonilla-Bowman
Bonilla-Bowman is 1-0 in the red gloves and blue trunks out of Pomona, New York. Claxton is making his pro debut in the blue gloves and black trunks out of Cleveland, Ohio. Our referee in charge is James Chappell.
Round 1: Claxton has the center early and is pushing Bonilla-Bowman backward, keeping his left hand high and pawing with the right. Both men trade hands at 51 seconds. Claxton nearly sweeps Bonilla-Bowman to the ground with a leg kick and throws a hard follow up to the body. Claxton FINISHES WITH A FLYING LEFT KNEE and the crowd erupts. IT IS ALL OVER.
Final result: Tywan Claxton wins his pro debut via knockout at 1:29 in round one.
Michael Trizano vs. Mike Otwell
Trizano is 4-0 in the red gloves and black trunks fighting out of Ramsey, New Jersey. Otwell is 4-1 in the blue gloves and green trunks fighting out of Ocean City, Maryland. Our referee in charge is James Chappell.
Round 1: Otwell has a takedown 20 seconds into the first round but Trizano gets back to his feet in the next 10. Otwell doesn’t let go but Trizano turns him around into the cage. Trizano takes him down and has a full mount. Trizano is going for an armbar and Otwell escapes and ends up on top in guard. The action stalls there. Trizano is the more active fighter, looking for a triangle off his back. Trizano goes for a kimura and Otwell escapes. Trizano sweeps with a minute left and pulls guard for a guillotine. Otwell is out at 4:33. Otwell gets a takedown and is IMMEDIATELY swept. Trizano blasts him with one right hand before the bell. 10-9 Trizano.
Round 2: Trizano charges forward to open R2. Otwell immediately tries to drop levels for a takedown and pushes him into the fence. Otwell finally single legs him end ends up in side control, almost getting the full mount but Trizano blocked. Trizano sweeps on top at 1:30. They stand at 1:45 and Trizano pulls guard again looking for the choke. Otwell taps at 2:07.
Final result: Michael Trizano wins via submission (d’arce) at 2:07 of round two.
Josh Fremd vs. Ryan Parker
Round 1: Unaired on Spike.com.
Final result: Josh Fremd wins via rear naked choke at 1:25 of the second round.