Bellator put together the best card in company history for its season finale at the Revel in Atlantic City, N.J., with a collection of stars, title fights and tournament finals. The first season on Spike is now in the books—and it has to be considered at least a minor success.
What’s great about Bellator is its insistence on following its own path. The promotion doesn’t try to be “UFC-Lite.” It utilizes a strict athletic architecture, demanding fighters earn championships and title fights in a series of eight-man tournaments.
Although far from matching the kind of numbers the UFC did on the same network, Bellator drew a solid audience that seemed to stay steady throughout the season. It wasn’t a home run, but a solid single, giving the promotion a chance to introduce its stars and make new ones with tournaments in five different weight classes.
The season’s final event was headlined by Pat Curran, arguably among the very best featherweights in the entire world. But Curran wasn’t the lone star on the card. Each fight on the main card was intriguing and meaningful. And, after seeing two more contenders born through fire and blood, it’s safe to say Season 2 looks even more promising than the opening stanza on Spike.
Rick Hawn vs. Karo Parisyan
It feels like a century since Parisyan set the MMA world on fire, winning great fights with Nick Diaz and Diego Sanchez and putting on a clinic of unintentional comedy with his brief “bro-centric” appearance on the fifth season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Struggles with anxiety and prescription drugs knocked his hype train right off the tracks. Now? He’s a sad remnant of his former self. Belly jiggling, he was knocked out by Rick Hawn, a former judo rival, in the second round.
Result: Rick Hawn defeats Karo Parisyan by TKO (punches), Round 2
Doug Marshall vs. Brett Cooper
I’ve said my piece about Doug Marshall, his Iron Cross tattoo and pathetic slogan “Activate the hate.” You can have your head shaved bald. You might be able to explain an Iron Cross. But combine those two things with a hate-based slogan? I think it speaks for itself.
All that said, Marshall hits like a freight train. No one can stand up to his right hand, at least no one named Brett Cooper. The California-based grappler crumpled on contact and Marshall earned a shot at the middleweight title.
The real action was after the fight. Marshall got in an extra shot after Cooper was clearly out, then mean mugged over his prone body for what felt like forever, mocking him with the “go to sleep” sign. That was Tank Abbot-esque in its extended squirm factor.
Result: Doug “The Rhino” Marshall defeats Brett Cooper by KO (punch), Round 1.
Mike Richman vs. Magomedrasul “Frodo” Khasbulaev
Before the fight, Frodo, dead eyes staring at the camera, talked about how looking at someone funny in his village in Dagestan could cost you your life. When did the Shire get so violent?
After sharing this terrifying tidbit, Frodo went out to put a hurting on Mike Richman, a former Marine with love of country in his heart and loads of power in his left hand.
The fight was a three-round masterpiece. Frodo never stopped coming forward, throwing combinations with both hands, always ending with a thudding kick to the body. Richman was patient and countered nicely with power shots, but Frodo was persistent, like a 5’5″ Eastern European Terminator who kept coming and coming, winning a unanimous 30-27 decision, $100,000 and a featherweight title shot.
Result: Magomedrasul “Frodo” Khasbulaev, defeats Mike Richman by unanimous decision.
Featherweight Championship: Pat Curran vs. Shahbulat Shamhalaev
Bellator takes a lot of hits from hardcore fans for its level of talent. And it’s true—across the board the promotion can’t compare to the UFC. But its featherweight champion, Pat Curran, is one of the very best in the world at 145 pounds.
Pundits expected this to be a striking clinic, Curran’s technique against Shamhalaev‘s amazing power. Instead, Curran shot in with a lightning fast takedown. From there, he almost immediately locked in a guillotine, choking the Russian into unconsciousness.
And so, Bellator‘s first season ended as it started—with Curran successful in a title defense. With the Fight Master reality show looming and a second season on the way, 2013 certainly looks to be the best year in Bellator history.
Result: Pat Curran defeats Shahbulat Shamhalaev by submission (guillotine choke), Round 1.
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