Bellator 222 results: Machida TKO’s Sonnen into retirement

Check out the results and highlights from the Bellator 222 main card, where Lyoto Machida stopped Chael Sonnen in the co-main event.

The Bellator 222 card is in-progress and the co-main event just witnessed Lyoto Machida TKO Chael Sonnen in the second round. Sonnen tried to bring the pressure, but it was the flying knees of Machida that really did the damage, with the ground strikes sealing thew deal. Machida now rides a four-fight winning wave as he successfully returned to light heavyweight. Perhaps a rematch with Bellator champ champ Ryan Bader is on the horizon? As for Sonnen, the 30-17-1 MMA icon left his gloves inside of the cage and said goodbye as a professional fighter. He will surely be missed as one of the greatest fight-sellers the sport has ever seen.

Before that, Dillon Danis made good on his sophomore MMA appearance by submitting Max Humphrey with an armbar in the opening round. Danis is now 2-0 as a professional MMA fighter, with both wins coming by way of sub and occurring in the first round. Patrick Mix had an explosive Bellator debut. He took all of 66-seconds to take the back and choke out Ricky Bandejas. Mix remains undefeated with an unblemished record of 11-0 and in his post-fight interview he requested to fight the ever-brash James Gallagher.

Making a major statement, Juan Archuleta brutally knocked out Eduardo Dantas with a single punch in the second round. Archuleta is now on a 18-fight winning streak with five of those taking place within the Bellator promotion. In his post-fight interview, he claimed to be the number-one contender at bantamweight, featherweight, as well as lightweight. He also called out recently crowned 135-pound champ Kyoji Horiguchi.

Main card:

Lyoto Machida def. Chael Sonnen by TKO at :22 of round 2: Light Heavyweight

Sonnen went after Machida, getting in his face and keeping the distance closed. Once in open space, Machida blasted Sonnen with a flying knee that dropped him. Machida took top position and started blitzing his downed opponent with ground strikes. Sonnen weathered the storm and somehow stood back to his feet just before the round expired.

Sonnen pressured forward to open the second round, but Machida was waiting with another big knee. Sonnen fell to his back and Machida started to drop the hammer. The referee gave Sonnen every opportunity to improve his position, but the onslaught from Machida proved to be too much and the fight was stopped.

Dillon Danis def. Max Humphrey by submission (Armbar) at 4:28 of round 1: 175-pounds

Danis was quick to get the takedown where he began to punch away at Humphrey. He took the back and continued to pound away as if he wanted a TKO finish. Humphrey hung tough long enough for Danis to bail on the ground strikes and lock up an armbar. Danis went belly down and achieved the tap.

Patrick Mix def. Ricky Bandejas by submission (RNC) at 1:06 of round 1: Bantamweight

Mix was quick to take the back while Bandejas was still standing. He worked hard for a rear-naked choke, leaving Bandejas in all sorts of trouble. As soon as Bandejas fell to the floor, he started tapping.

Juan Archuleta def. Eduardo Dantas by KO at 4:59 of round 2: Featherweight

The fighters came out and went toe to toe right away. Each man landed some quality strikes, before Archuleta switched gears and closed the distance. He was able to stifle Dantas up against the cage. It took awhile for the former champ to free himself, but was able to without sustaining much of any damage.

Dantas suffered a cut to his left eye lid from an exchange in the second stanza. Archuleta also landed a big left hook that wobbled Dantas. The former 135-pound king went on to recover and began pressing forward. Just when he had his opponent backed up to the cage, Archuleta uncorked a sinister right hand counter that completely knocked out Dantas. Archuleta realized that no followup was necessary and walked away like a boss.

Kyoji Horiguchi def. Darrion Caldwell by unanimous decision (49-46 x2, 48-47): Bantamweight Title

Prelims:

• Brandon Polcare def. Brandon Medina by submission at 4:33 of round 3: Flyweight
• Kastriot Xhema def. Whitney Jean Francois by TKO at 3:17 of round 2: 165 pounds
• John Beneduce def. Kenny Rivera by unanimous decision: Featherweight
• Taylor Turner def. Heather Hardy by TKO at 3:53 of round 1: 128 pounds
• Adam Borics def. Aaron Pico by TKO at 3:55 of round 2: Featherweight
• Valerie Loureda def. Larkyn Dasch by unanimous decision: (W) Flyweight
• Lindsay VanZandt def. Rena Kubota by submission at 4:04 of round 1: 112 pounds
• Haim Gozali def. Gustavo Wurlitzer by submission at 4:02 of round 1: 175 pounds
• Mike Kimbel def. Sebastian Ruiz by split decision: Bantamweight
• Robson Gracie Jr. def. Oscar Vera by submission at 3:15 of round 1: Welterweight
• Marcus Surin def. Nekruz Mirkhojaev by split decision: Lightweight
• Phil Hawes def. Michael Wilcox by TKO at 5:00 of round 1: Lightweight