Bellator 213 “Macfarlane vs. Letourneau” airs TONIGHT (Dec. 15, 2018) from Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The main event will see Flyweight “Iliminator” Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (8-0) facing off with former UFC contender Valerie Letourneau (10-6). In addition Lyoto Machida (24-8) will make his Bellator debut against former Middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho (15-2) while undefeated Welterweights will collide as Brazilian jiu-jitsu sensation Neiman Gracie (8-0) takes on former collegiate standout Ed Ruth (6-0).
Bellator 213’s main card will start at 10 p.m. ET on DAZN (watch it). 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 213) about the bouts and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show — it’s always a lot of fun!
BELLATOR 213 QUICK RESULTS:
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Valerie Letourneau — Macfarlane sub (triangle) 3:19 R3.
Lyoto Machida vs. Rafael Carvalho — Machida SD 29-28 X2, 28-29.
Neiman Gracie vs. Ed Ruth — Gracie sub (RNC) 2:17 R4.
Muhammed Lawal vs. Liam McGeary — McGeary KO 0:53 R3.
Kona Oliveira vs. Nainoa Dung — Dung TKO 2:05 R3.
Ryan Dela Cruz vs. Spencer Higa — unaired on DAZN.
Dustin Barca vs. Isaac Hopps — Barca SD 29-28, 28-29, 30-27.
Kai Kamaka vs. Shojin Miki — Kamaka UD 29-28 X3.
Timothy Teves vs. Canaan Kawaihae — unaired on DAZN.
Maki Pitolo vs. Chris Cisneros — Pitolo sub (RNC) 2:40 R3.
Kala Hose vs. Marcus Gamble — unaired on DAZN.
Russell Mizuguchi vs. Michael Nakagawa — unaired on DAZN.
BELLATOR 213 PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Valerie Letourneau
The 10-6 Letourneau is out first in the black bodysuit, blue gloves and black/yellow trunks. If she wins her third Bellator fight in a row she’ll become Flyweight champion. The 8-0 champ Macfarlane is getting a ceremonial introduction and the crowd is chanting along as they pound the Hawaiian flags on the stage. She walks out with the flag draped over her shoulders and the belt around her waist, draped in flowers and clearly overwhelmed with emotion as she sings along to her entrance song. It’s hard not to be happy for her right now. She has on a black bodysuit, black trunks and red gloves.
All Hawaii, stand together, this is your main event of the evening. Letourneau hails from Montreal and fights out of Boca Raton, Florida. Macfarlane hails from Honolulu, Hawaii and fights out of San Diego, California. Our referee in charge is Mike Beltran.
Round 1: Tap of gloves during final instructions and to open the round. Letourneau is happy to back up and let Macfarlane come toward her. Macfarlane and Letourneau trade leg kicks. Letourneau sprawls to stuff a single leg but eats a right hand as she stands up. Macfarlane lands a combo at 2:44. Letourneau pumps the left jab. Macfarlane lands one back. Leg kick by Letourneau. Right hook by Macfarlane. Head kick misses for Letourneau. Letourneau backs away from a flurry with 30 seconds left. Left jab for Macfarlane. 10-9 Macfarlane.
Round 2: Macfarlane has a takedown 12 seconds into the round. Macfarlane lands a right hammer fist and backs up. Letourneau scoots backward and Macfarlane jumps back on top. Letourneau tries to go for the right leg as she gets up too high and Macfarlane hits her with elbows. Macfarlane gets her back as she gets back up and throws a couple of right hands at her head. Macfarlane breaks free at 2:10.
Leg kick by Macfarlane. Letourneau keeps backing up as Macfarlane throws combos and the crowd is chanting for Macfarlane. Letourneau may have taken a poke to the left eye but didn’t call for time and Beltran didn’t stop it either. Macfarlane backed off but Letourneau told her to continue. Letourneau misses a head kick. 30 seconds. Leg kick for Macfarlane. Combo for Letourneau. Letourneau was the better striker this round. 10-9 Letourneau.
Round 3: Tap of gloves to start the third round. Macfarlane digs for a takedown as Letourneau widens her base against the fence but Macfarlane gets her to her knees at 1:27 and takes her back at 1:40. Macfarlane has a lot of time to work and she’s already trapped an arm. Letourneau is trying to break free but now she’s in a triangle. Macfarlane keeps elbowing her in the head and Letourneau finally succumbs and taps to the triangle!
Final result: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane moves to 9-0 with a triangle choke at 3:19 in R3.
Lyoto Machida vs. Rafael Carvalho
In case anybody missed this during the live weigh-ins, Carvalho waited until almost the last minute to step on the scale and still came in a half pound over. The 15-2 former Bellator Middleweight champion forfeits 20% of his purse up to and including a win bonus if he happens to beat the 24-8 Machida, who looks to extend a win streak to three tonight in his promotional debut. Carvalho has on white trunks and blue gloves for the co-main event. Machida comes down in his karate gi and red gloves with black trunks. Carvalho hails from Curitiba, Brazil and Machida hails from Belem, Brazil. Our referee is Mike Bell.
Round 1: Both men touch gloves during and after final instructions. Machida throws a body kick. Carvalho pushes forward and Machida circles around him. They clinch up at one minute and Carvalho pushes him into the cage. Bell calls for work. Carvalho lands a knee to the groin and Bell breaks them up for a brief time out. They resume with a glove tap and Carvalho throws a right and presses Machida into the fence again. Machida turns him around and breaks free at 2:28. He’s got a trickle of blood running from his nose.
Machida switches his stance and throws a leg kick. Carvalho throws a body kick and a high kick that’s checked. Carvalho misses with a right hook. Machida goes for a head kick and Carvalho takes him down, although Machida threw a flurry at him from the ground off his back and Carvalho let him up in response. One minute to go. Machida circles to his left and throws a kick. Carvalho walks into a right hand from Machida, and Machida lands a left to boot. Hip kick by Machida. Carvalho backs away before the bell. 10-9 Carvalho.
Round 2: Herschel Walker is shown in the crowd between rounds, and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is popping a bottle of champagne backstage for Neiman Gracie. Back in the cage Machida lands a head kick and Carvalho seems to be woken up by it as he throws a violent flurry and then closes distance for a clinch on the fence. Bell is nonplussed and the crowd agrees with him. He tells both men to improve then finally restarts them at 1:53.
Machida catches a Carvalho kick and lets it go to throw his own. Machida lands a left kick behind the ear. It didn’t drop Carvalho but he felt it for sure. Carvalho lands two kicks to the right leg. Carvalho just misses with a left hook. Front kick and superman punch for Machida but he eats a left hand while he’s off balance and has to pop back to his feet. Both men trade leg kicks. Bell calls time as Machida lands an unintentional eye poke and draws a warning to watch it going forward. He reminds both men to keep it clean as we restart with a half minute left. Machida does a late rush forward and Carvalho responds in kind. 10-9 Machida.
Round 3: Double glove tap for the third and final round. Body kicks for both men. Carvalho chases Machida around the cage. Body kick by Machida. Front kick. Carvalho charges across the cage but only the fence eats his knee. Carvalho catches a kick and Machida backs up, then he ducks under a shot for a takedown a minute in. Carvalho tries to turn it into a kimura but fails. Machida is in half guard and moves up to full mount at 1:50. Shoulder strike by Machida. Machida with a left forearm to the face as he moves up with two minutes remaining. Carvalho bucks him off at 3:14. Leg kick by Machida. Clinch. Knee by Machida. Knee to the cup by Carvalho and the ref calls time. Bell says no more warnings — next time it’s a point. 1:10 to go. Machida takes Carvalho down with a minute to go on a leg trip. Machida goes for a guillotine as Carvalho stands back up. Carvalho survives to the bell but that’s a 10-9 for Machida and will earn him the decision.
Final result: The judges score it 29-28 Machida, 29-28 Carvalho, 29-28 Machida by split decision.
Neiman Gracie vs. Ed Ruth
Lime green trunks and blue gloves for the 6-0 Ruth. Red gloves and black trunks for the 8-0 Gracie. This is the second bout of the Welterweight Grand Prix. Ruth fights out of San Diego, California and Gracie fights out of New York, NY. Our referee is Mike Beltran.
Round 1: Glove tap starts us off. Ruth comes forward with jabs and Gracie throws multiple leg kicks. Beltran warns Ruth to close his fingers. Gracie clinches up but Ruth trips him to the ground. Gracie immediately goes for the triangle off his back and he has it tight. Ruth is trying and trying to fight it off and Gracie is trying to pull the head down. Ruth finally spins his way free at 1:59. Ruth backs up and forces a stand-up at 2:20.
Ruth returns to working leg kicks and pushes forward with the left jab and right hook. Gracie responds with a right uppercut. Ruth hurts Gracie with a right hand and left jab hurts briefly at 3:35. Ruth presses him into the fence and lands some rights to the body. Beltran calls for action at 4:27. Gracie goes for a guillotine and Ruth pops out. 10-9 Gracie.
Round 2: Leg kicks open the round. Gracie takes a finger to the eye at 28 seconds and Ruth draws a stern rebuke from Mike Beltran before and at the restart. Ruth comes forward and lands multiple jabs to the left eye. Ruth catches the kick of Gracie twice but doesn’t sweep the leg (Johnny). Gracie shoots, Ruth sweeps to the top, and Gracie is more than happy to fish for submissions off his back. Gracie very nearly traps a leg twice and both times Ruth scrambles to get out.
2:15 left in the round with Ruth on top in full guard. Gracie has his legs wrapped around Ruth’s back waiting for any opening to present itself. Beltran calls for more action from both men, giving them a second warning with 1:27 left. Gracie goes for the belly down armbar and Ruth is hanging onto his own arm to defend it. If he lets go Gracie will cinch it up. 30 seconds left. Ruth escapes and Gracie momentarily flashes the triangle. 10-9 Ruth.
Round 3: Gracie comes forward with shots to the body. He also lands a nice overhand right. Ruth responds with kicks and his left jab. Kick to the body from Gracie as Ruth comes forward. Both men pump the jab. Ruth eludes a clinch. Overhand right hurts Ruth at 1:49. Right uppercut and left hook by Gracie. Ruth lands a right hand and Gracie goes to his back on purpose, then tries to snake the leg when Ruth finally jumps on.
Ruth spins his way on top at 2:34 and appears to be safe for the moment. I’m not sure it made sense for Gracie to flop to his back — he was doing better on his feet this round than at any other point. He tries to sweep Ruth at 3:18 but Ruth holds firm and drops some right hands. Gracie goes for the belly down armbar but Ruth flips over him and gets back on top in guard to save himself. Ruth lands a right elbow to the head. 10-9 Gracie.
Round 4: Glove tap opens. Gracie tags Ruth again. Ruth comes forward with a combo. Gracie gets a takedown at 32 seconds. Gracie gets a full mount 25 seconds later. Ruth rolls and gives up his back — bad move dude. Gracie flattens him out and is hammering away with lefts and rights. Ruth rolls to his side but that gives Gracie the chance to put the left arm on his chin. This submission could come at any second — and it does at 2:17!!
Final result: Neiman Gracie wins via rear naked choke at 2:17 of the fourth round.
Muhammed Lawal vs. Liam McGeary
McGeary is out first in the black trunks and blue gloves, 12-3, looking to snap a two fight losing streak. Lawal has the red gloves, gray trunks, and befitting the “King” he bops to the cage with the crown on his head. His record tonight is 21-7 (1 NC) and his last loss is to current Light Heavyweight champion Ryan Bader. McGeary fights out of Honolulu, Hawaii and Lawal fights out of Coconut Creek, Florida. Our referee is Chris West.
Round 1: Tap of gloves gets us underway. Lawal is looking to stay at range and work leg kicks, the same strategy that worked for Vadim Nemkov in McGeary’s last fight. McGeary actually has to lean down and forward to strike at the shorter Lawal. Despite that reach advantage his left hand has trouble finding the chin. Lawal goes for a single leg as we pass the halfway point, switches to the double and gets it at 2:33.
McGeary pops back to his feet immediately. Lawal keeps him pressed into the cage and lands a right uppercut before they break. Another leg kick for Lawal, and another lands before he eats a jab. McGeary responds with two kicks of his own, then comes forward with a flurry before Lawal briefly drops him with a counter shot. Kicks are exchanged by both men. McGeary uncorks a left hook. They trade kicks at the bell. 10-9 Lawal.
Round 2: Lawal continues to work the leg kicks for the first half minute. McCarthy believes Lawal won R1 with the heavier shots but he’s the one who got dropped and most of his shots missed while Lawal’s kicks connected. Bellator and DAZN put a spotlight on McGeary’s left leg to show us a hematoma. Lawal ducks a high kick. Lawal kicks and McGeary lands a 1-2 combo. Lawal tags the leg again as we move to the halfway mark.
McGeary comes forward with a jab and a front kick and then lands a stiff combo at the three minute mark. Jab and a head kick connect as McGeary finally seems to be dialing in the range. Multiple left hands land before the ref steps in as Lawal got poked in the eye. Lawal drops levels at 3:38 but McGeary rocks him with a flurry of elbows. Lawal nevertheless secures the takedown but McGeary gets back up at 4:22. McGeary comes forward confidently before the bell. 10-9 McGeary. If you agree with “Big” John he’s up 2-0.
Round 3: McGeary is watching Lawal carefully knowing he’ll probably shoot again, and Lawal gets hurt at 48 seconds. McGeary tries to walk away, the ref doesn’t step in immediately, then West takes a closer look and gets between them as McGeary lands one more shot. On replay it was the right hand that hurt Lawal and made him fall backward, and because he was falling away a follow-up kick just shaved his head instead of striking flush.
Final result: Liam McGeary wins by knockout at 0:53 of the third round.
Kona Oliveira vs. Nainoa Dung
Oliveira is in the red gloves and black trunks. Dung is in the blue gloves and black trunks. Both men are 1-0 early in their professional careers. Dung is from Makaha, Hawaii. Oliveira is from Haleiwa, Hawaii. Our referee is Kevin Yoshida.
Round 1: A tap of glove gets us underway. No big strikes land in the first 30 seconds. Oliveira takes Dung down and Dung scoots his way toward the fence. Oliveira uncorks a right hand on top and backs up looking to pass. Dung goes for a leg lock as he does and Oliveira spins out to avoid it. Oliveira is trying very hard to pass but Dung keeps his knees up high. Oliveira backs up again with two minutes left to throw a big strike and finally (briefly) passes to side before being pushed back into the butterfly guard. Oliveira backs up again at 4:10 then stacks Dung up for some heavy shots. Oliveira has to defend a sweep for a leg lock late. 10-9 Oliveira.
Round 2: Dung lands a stiff right hand early. Oliveira responds quickly with a takedown. Oliveira passes to North-South and looks for a choke. He can’t find it so he moves to side and then back to half. Dung has him in full guard at 1:49. Oliveira tries to posture up and throw an elbow. Dung finally bucks him off at 2:43 and throws a big left hand. Oliveira eats some big shots and pulls Dung on top in guard. Dung backs away and Oliveira lays with his hands behind his head looking to throw upkicks. Dung eats a left foot and then finally backs up at 4:20 to make Yoshida force a stand-up. Dung gets tagged by Oliveira. A late takedown attempt sees Oliveira on top before Yoshida can pull them apart. 10-9 Oliveira.
Round 3: Oliveira is trying to pressure early this round and Dung is happy to be the counter striker. They have a wild exchange at 45 seconds. Dung lands a good right. Oliveira keeps his hands high and goes for a takedown but Dung sweeps and goes for the anaconda choke. He doesn’t have it but he uses it to take full mount and pound away until Oliveira gets stopped by the referee at 2:05. McCarthy thinks it’s an early stoppage and Oliveira is saying the same thing to Yoshida. He definitely SEEMS to be intelligently defending himself on the replay of the fight.
Final result: Nainoa Dung wins by technical knockout at 2:05 of the third round.
Ryan Dela Cruz vs. Spencer Higa
Round 1: Unaired on DAZN.
Final result: To be determined.
Dustin Barca vs. Isaac Hopps
Red gloves and white trunks for the 2-0 Barca, blue gloves and blue trunks for the 4-3 Hopps. Barca is the elder fighter at 36, Hopps is just 26. Hopps fights out of Waimanalo, Hawaii. Barca fights out of Kilauea, Hawaii. Our referee is Kevin Yoshida.
Round 1: Barca lands the first leg kicks and Hopps returns the favor. Barca lands a counter left hook when Barca rushes in. Barca keeps his right hand high and dangles his left out, though it’s a knee he lands for the best strike early in this fight. Barca continues to hunt for a left hook and throws out a front kick. Hopps with a 1-2 as Barca moves into range. Barca throws a right head kick that’s partially checked.
2:20 gone thus far. Barca is forcing Hopps to work off his back foot and throw leg kicks. Hard body kick from Barca. Right hand from Hopps followed by a stiff jab. Hopps with a right uppercut. Low kick by Barca. Hopps takes a groin kick straight up the middle on a right kick and Yoshida calls time. One minute left when the fight resumes and Barca’s nose has become as red as Rudolph from the uptick in striking by Hopps. Hopps lands a big left hand and Barca is momentarily stunned. Heavy right hand and leg kick for Hopps before the bell. Close round. McCarthy sees it 10-9 Barca. Hopps almost stole it back late.
Round 2: A frenetic pace of fisticuffs opens the round. Barca lands a body kick. Both men trade leg kicks. Hopps looks more and more like a boxer as the fight goes on, and he keeps working hands to the body to soften Barca up. Left hook lands for Hopps, Barca grazes him with a left high kick in return. Hopps lands a combo and Barca misses with a knee, but the second one connects.
Half of round two (and potentially the fight) is in the books. Hopps comes forward with a left to the jaw. Barca tries to respond in kind. Hopps circles and lands the outside low kick, then Barca returns with a combo. Hoops with body and head work. Barca tries and fails to get a muay thai clinch. The speed of Hopps seems to be a real problem for Barca, and worse still he’s slowing down. Barca shoots late and Hopps blocks it until the last second. 10-9 Hopps.
Round 3: Barca tags Hopps with a left 8 seconds into the third. He lands it again at 41 seconds. Hopps works leg kicks inside and outside to the left leg repeatedly. Barca knocks Hopps off balance with a hard leg kick. Barca tires of the leg shots and pushes Hopps into the fence with heavy hands and then gets a takedown at 2:08. Hopps eats a right knee when he gets up and is taken back down again at 2:57. Hopps pushes Barca up out of half into the full guard and tries to wall walk to his feet. He’s back up at 3:53, almost gets taken down again, but switches and lands on top in half trying to throw hammerfists. Barca pushes him off, stands up, takes him down at 4:30 with authority. That should seal it. Hopps opens Barca up with a late elbow. 10-9 Barca.
Final result: The judges score it 29-28 Barca, 29-28 Hopps, 30-27 Barca by split decision.
Kai Kamaka vs. Shojin Miki
Red trunks and red gloves for Kamaka, 4-2, fighting out of Ewa Beach, Hawaii. Blue gloves and black trunks for Miki, 4-3, fighting out of Honolulu, Hawaii. Our referee is Chris West.
Round 1: Kamaka quickly rushes forward to control the cage, throws a right hook and drops levels for a takedown. Miki tries to trap his head in the process for a guillotine choke with no luck. This turns into a stalemate that drags on as neither man improves their position. Mr. West seems to be in no hurry to break it up.
Kamaka finally pops his head free at 2:44 and he’s in the closed guard. He throws lefts and rights to the body as he looks to posture up for elbows. Some get through at 3:35 and then he backs up to drop down with heavy rights, having to avoid upkicks in the process. He passes to half, unloads with lefts, then both men stand up at 4:13. Kamaka takes him down right to full mount and takes the back with short time left. 10-9 Kamaka.
Round 2: Kamaka shoots hard for a takedown 5 seconds in, it’s momentarily stuffed, he finally gets it then has to avoid a kimura attempt from Miki. Kamaka finally settles in on top in half guard at 42 seconds. He’s working body shots and shoulder strikes on top as he looks for an opportunity to progress forward. West tells him to improve or get stood up.
Kamaka starts unloading heavy lefts to the head as we pass the 2 minute mark, but West is nonplussed and stands them with half the round to go. Both men trade kicks and Kamaka hits another takedown at 2:53. Miki is trying to get a kimura again. Kamaka breaks free and bashes him with a left elbow to the jaw. Miki tries one more time to get the kimura but Kamaka takes the back and jacks him up with rights to the head. 10-9 Kamaka.
Round 3: Kamaka presses Miki into the fence and takes him down 25 seconds into the round. Mauro Ranallo dubs this “takedown, rinse, repeat.” He’s not wrong. It certainly worked for Michael Chandler in the main event last night. Miki sweeps Kamaka and is looking for the kimura but Kamaka escapes — however this lets Miki take top in guard.
Miki has just over three minutes to turn the fight around. Kamaka is using his legs and arms to flatten Miki into him chest to chest. Kamaka tries to escape, Miki looks to take his back, it’s to no avail as Kamaka is able to stand back up. Miki tries to elbow him in the head as Kamaka looks for a single leg takedown. Miki is briefly on top on the failed attempt, then a stalemate leads West to reset them with 22 seconds left. Miki comes forward swinging but can’t land a big blow. 10-9 Miki.
Final result: All three judges score it 29-28 for Kai Kamaka.
Timothy Teves vs. Canaan Kawaihae
Round 1: Unaired on DAZN.
Final result: To be determined.
Maki Pitolo vs. Chris Cisneros
Yellow trunks and blue gloves for the 17-9 Cisneros fighting out of Hilo, Hawaii. Red gloves and black trunks for Pitolo, 10-4, fighting out of Nanakuii, Hawaii. Our ref is Mike Beltran.
Round 1: Pitolo and Cisneros stand toe to toe in the center for the opening half minute. Pitolo throws an overhand right and eats a counter combo. Beltran reminds both men to closer their fingers. Cisneros drops levels and Pitolo blocks it and turns him into the fence. Pitolo throws a slashing elbow on the break. Pitolo pushes Cisneros toward the outside but Cisneros punches and kicks his way back in.
Pitolo takes a kick to the cup and we get a restart after a very brief timeout with half the round remaining. Clashing leg kicks lead to hard lefts from Pitolo. Cisneros pops Pitolo’s head back with a stiff jab. Pitolo responds with a left to the jaw. Cisneros hurts Pitolo with a left and a right and tags him again against the fence. Pitolo tries for a takedown and Cisneros stuffs it. Left hook and right cross for Cisneros as he comes forward. Pitolo misses on a single leg attempt. Cisneros lands the right cross left hook combo again. Head kick right hook. Pitolo throws a jumping knee late. 10-9 Cisneros.
Round 2: Both men tap gloves to start then trade leg kicks. Cisneros lands the right hand. Jumping knee catches Cisneros but he’s able to recover. Pitolo keeps the pressure on though and lands uppercuts and 1-2 combos. He pushes forward with effective shots, fails on a takedown, then staggers Cisneros with a left. Body work from Pitolo. Cisneros clobbers Pitolo with a right but he seems okay. Pitolo with knees to the body. Cisneros with a jab and a liver kick. Pitolo has to chase Cisneros down as he runs across the cage to avoid damage.
Two minuets left as John McCarthy tells us Hawaiians love to “just scrap brah.” Beltran reminds both men to control their fingers on the punches. Cisneros lands a hard right and a combo and is coming forward. Pitolo pushes him backward with 5-6 strikes. Pitolo lands another six piece but eats a stiff jab. Body kick by Pitolo. Left hooks and right jabs by Pitolo. Combo by Cisneros with a left hook to the body. 10-9 Pitolo.
Round 3: Both men are trading leather immediately in the middle. Pitolo changes things up with a takedown attempt that puts Cisneros’ back on the cage. Both men spin around jockeying for position and Pitolo finally gets the takedown at 45 seconds. Pitolo has half guard with his right leg trapped. Left hands and elbows to Cisneros’ head. Both men fight for arm and wrist control as Beltran encourages them to work more. Cisneros bucks Pitolo off but he takes the back instead and gets the rear naked choke to end the bout.
Final result: Maki Pitolo wins by submission (RNC) at 2:40 of the third round.
Kala Hose vs. Marcus Gamble
Round 1: Unaired on DAZN.
Final result: To be determined.
Russell Mizuguchi vs. Michael Nakagawa
Round 1: Unaired on DAZN.
Final result: To be determined.