Tag: Linton Vassell

Highlights: Phil Davis Scores Massive Knockout At Bellator 200

Phil Davis scored a huge knockout at today’s Bellator 200:

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Former UFC light heavyweight contender Phil Davis continues to find success outside the octagon.

Matched up versus former Bellator title challenger Linton Vassell at today’s (Friday, May 25, 2018) Bellator 200 fromThe SSE Arena in London, England, Davis scored only the second knockout win of his 19-win UFC and Bellator career with a highlight reel finish. In the third round, “Mr. Wonderful” caught Vassell with a perfect head kick that instantly knocked his foe out cold.

The victory was Davis’ second straight in the Bellator cage as he looks to fight his way back to contendership. Watch the awesome knockout via UFC women’s strawweight contender Angela Hill right here:

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Bellator 200 Preview, Breakdown & Analysis

Check out our preview and predictions for tomorrow’s Bellator 200 here:

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Although it lost its original main event – a scheduled rematch between legendary heavyweights Roy “Big Country” Nelson and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic, – Bellator 200, which is set to take place Friday (May 25, 2018) from the SSE Arena in London, England still features some intriguing bouts.

In the main event, middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho will defend his title against former DREAM and Strikeforce titleholder Gegard Mousasi in a five-round fight.

The co-main event, meanwhile, will play host to a welterweight bout between Michael ‘Venom’ Page, who will return from a long layoff due to injury, and David Rickels.

Also on the main card, former light heavyweight champion Phil Davis will take on Linton Vassell.

Without further ado, let’s take a deeper look into Bellator 200’s marquee fights.

Rafael Carvalho vs. Gegard Mousasi

In this main event, 185-pound champion Rafael Carvalho will look to make his fourth consecutive defense of the Bellator 185-pound title, but he’ll attempt to do so against the toughest test of his career in veteran Gegard Mousasi, who’s riding a six-fight winning streak that features four T/KO victories.

Stylistically, Carvalho is quite a well-rounded fighter who has won 15 straight bouts since losing his professional debut in 2011. On the feet, the Brazilian is a lengthy southpaw who likes to use range to incorporate a Muay Thai style attack that includes various kicks and body shots. He’s also improved his boxing and footwork over the years.

In terms of grappling, Carvalho isn’t known for his submission game, but he has shown improvements in his defense in this department. He has a solid scrambling ability and can be dangerous in the clinch as well where he likes to attack with knees and elbows.

Moving on to Mousasi, the 32-year old is an incredibly well-rounded fighter. With experience in both kickboxing and boxing, Mousasi, who possesses a tremendous jab, is extremely technical and accurate with his strikes, which has allowed him to pick opponents apart in the striking department. 

He’s also shown a great sense of distance, which will likely aid him in this bout in addition to having fight-ending power, as 23 of his victories have come via stoppage due to strikes. And despite being primarily known for his striking, Mousasi’s grappling acumen can’t be overlooked. His wrestling has improved over the years and he’s shown a great knack for changing levels to land a takedown.

Also possessing a background in Judo, Mousasi is well-versed in clinch and ground fighting and I’d argue that is submission game is, at times, very overlooked, as 12 of his professional victories have come via submission. 

Ultimately, I see Carvalho as a talented champion who hasn’t necessarily received the credit he deserves. He has a real chance to score an upset here, but in the end, I feel as if Mousasi is on another level.

The Dutch fighter is far more experienced, has faced better competition and, in my opinion, is simply the more technical and talented fighter. He’s had some mishaps throughout his career when he didn’t appear to show up in top form and he didn’t perform at his best in his Bellator debut, but I expect him to get the job done here.

Prediction: Gegard Mousasi def. Rafael Carvalho via third-round TKO

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Linton Vassell Says a Win Over Phil Davis Should Put Him in Title Contention

Linton Vassell believes he has a chance to get back in title contention. This Friday night (May 25), Vassell will go one-on-one with former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis. The bout will be featured on the main card of Bellator 200. The …

Linton Vassell believes he has a chance to get back in title contention. This Friday night (May 25), Vassell will go one-on-one with former Bellator light heavyweight champion Phil Davis. The bout will be featured on the main card of Bellator 200. The action takes place inside the SSE Arena, Wembley in London, England. Vassell […]

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Phil Davis vs. Linton Vassell Announced For Bellator 200

Phil Davis and Linton Vassell will do battle in a major Bellator event. Bellator 200 will take place on May 25. The event goes down inside The SSE Arena, Wembley in London. Already booked for the card is a middleweight title bout between champion Rafae…

Phil Davis and Linton Vassell will do battle in a major Bellator event. Bellator 200 will take place on May 25. The event goes down inside The SSE Arena, Wembley in London. Already booked for the card is a middleweight title bout between champion Rafael Carvalho and Gegard Mousasi. Michael Page is also set to […]

Bellator 186 Results: Ryan Bader Finishes Linton Vassell

It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, November 3rd, 2017) will come in the form of Bellator 186. Headlining the card are Ryan Bader and Linton Vassell, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card. Ryan Bader […]

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It’s once again fight day here at LowKickMMA, and the talent on display tonight (Friday, November 3rd, 2017) will come in the form of Bellator 186. Headlining the card are Ryan Bader and Linton Vassell, but there’s a whole bunch of great fights also taking place on the rest of the main card.

Ryan Bader (c) and Linton Vassell meet in a light heavyweight title fight in the main event. In round 1, Bader went straight for a takedown and got it that put him in half guard on top. Vassell was able to scramble back to his feet quickly and started training with him. Vassell was landing some solid leg kicks, but Bader shot in and got him down quickly. Bader was bleeding from his nose. Bader was grinding him out by landing a couple of hard strikes. In round 2, Bader once again scored a takedown right out of the gate and earned top position in guard while landing a series of strikes. A smart gameplan on the part of Bader. With just over a minute left, Bader went off and landed several strikes to end the fight by TKO. A dominant performance by Bader, who made his first title defense as light heavyweight champion.

Ilima Macfarlane and Emily Ducote meet in a female flyweight title fight in the co-main event. In round 1, Macfarlane was pressing forward often with Ducote looking to take things to the ground. Macfarlane cut off the cage, but Ductore was able to clinch with her. However, Macfarlane fired back with a series of knee strikes to the gut. Macfarlane scored a brief takedown with two minutes to go. Macfarlane held her down and got her back then went landed a series of strikes before going into half guard. Macfarlane went for an armbar, but the bell sounded. In round 2, Macfarlane was getting the better while exchanging. Specifically, her elbows and leg kicks. Ducote was just throwing to throw and wasn’t landing much. A lackluster round. In round 3, there wasn’t a ton of action. The pace of the fight was getting to these fighters. Macfarlane worked for a takedown for the majority of the round while having Ducote pressed up against the fence. Macfarlane scored a takedown to end the round in guard. In round 4, Ducote tried to get inside and land some strikes, but Macfarlane was doing a nice job of keeping her distance and picking shots. Ducote shot in for a takedown but Macfarlane reversed, and hip tossed her near the end of the round to get on top. In round 5, Ducote was able to score a takedown early in the round and got in guard on top. Macfarlane locked in an armbar to win the fight and become the inaugural flyweight champion.

Phil Davis vs. Leo Leite is next in a light heavyweight bout. In round 1, Davis was aggressive early and coming at Leite. About a minute into the round, Leite clinched with him up against the fence. Davis was able to score a brief takedown two minutes in, but Leite got back to his feet. Davis dragged him to the fence and pulled him down. Leite was able to get back to his feet once more, and Davis rounded off some knee strikes. They separated and exchanged to the bell. In round 2, Davis was poked in the eye to start the round. Davis worked him over with strikes and was looking for the takedown so he would clinch with him. Leite did a good job of keeping things on the feet and stuffing takedowns. He didn’t have an answer for Davis on the feet. In round 3, Davis kept up the pressure and gave up on takedowns in this round. He let his hands go and the pressure up. Leite was not matched for the former champion. Davis picked up the decision win.

Ed Ruth vs. Chris Dempsey is next in a middleweight bout. In round 1, Dempsey looked to clinch early while Ruth was trying to keep his range. Dempsey went for a takedown, but Ruth shut him down and got his back. Rush was able to get full mount half way through the round and worked him over with strikes. Dempsey got him off for a brief moment, but Ruth was able to secure half guard. Dempsey was able to get back to his feet with two minutes to go. Ruth was using his jabs nicely and picking his shots while Dempsey was just trying to get some momentum. Ruth scored a takedown while Dempsey attempted a guillotine choke but couldn’t get it. In round 2, Dempsey charged in, and Ruth slept him with a big overhand right to close out the fight.

Opening the main card on Spike TV is Saad Awad vs. Zach Freeman in a lightweight bout. Awad cracked him a right hand that clipped him. Freeman shot in for a takedown but Awad caught him with a right hand behind his ear, and that’s a wrap. Inside the one minute mark.

Here are the results for this event:

MAIN CARD (Spike/9 p.m. ET)

Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship: Ryan Bader def. Linton Vassell — TKO (Punches) 3:58 R2

Inaugural Bellator Female Flyweight Championship: Ilima Macfarlane def. Emily Ducote via submission (armbar) at 3:42 of R5

Light Heavyweight: Phil Davis def. Leo Leite via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Middleweight: Ed Ruth def. Chris Dempsey via KO (punch) at :27 of R2

Lightweight: Saad Awad def. Zach Freeman via TKO (punches) at 1:07 of R1

PRELIMINARY CARD (Online, 7 p.m. ET)

Mike Wilkins def. Brett Martinez via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:09 of Round 2

Mike Trizano def. Mike Otwell via submission (D’Arce choke) at 2:07 of Round 2

Dominic Mazzotta def. Matthew Lozano via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 2:37 of Round 1

Logan Storley def. Matt Secor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

Tywan Claxton def. Jonny Bonilla-Bowman via KO (flying knee) at 1:29 of Round 1

Frank Buenafuente def. Francis Healy via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Andrew Salas def. Ethan Goss via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Josh Fremd def. Ryan Parker via submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:25 of Round 2

 

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Ryan Bader: Linton Vassell Comes Off Disrespectful to me

Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader isn’t thrilled with his first contender. On Nov. 3, Ryan Bader will meet Linton Vassell inside the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania. The championship tilt is set to headline Bellator 186. It’ll be Bader’s first title defense. In a recent interview with Bellator play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg, Bader […]

Bellator light heavyweight champion Ryan Bader isn’t thrilled with his first contender. On Nov. 3, Ryan Bader will meet Linton Vassell inside the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania. The championship tilt is set to headline Bellator 186. It’ll be Bader’s first title defense. In a recent interview with Bellator play-by-play commentator Mike Goldberg, Bader […]