Bellator 133 ‘Shlemenko vs. Manhoef’ Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Paul Ruiz vs. Nick Sperling

Round 1

In the opening fight of the evening, Sperling takes the center of the cage and tries to establish striking range. After a very brief feeling-out process, Ruiz uncoils and rocks Sperling with a left hand. Sperling rushes in for a takedown in a desperate response and leaves his neck exposed. Ruiz jumps guard and locks in the guillotine choke, which looks deep from the outset. Ruiz cranks the choke and presses his opponent's forehead into the canvas to finish the submission. It's even tighter now and it's only a matter of moments before Sperling is forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Paul Ruiz def. Nick Sperling via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 0:43

Blake Watkins vs. George Zuniga

Round 1

Watkins looks to establish his jab from the outside early. Watkins with a knee and then drops Zuniga with a punching combination against the fence. Zuniga counters with a takedown but Watkins is able to quickly sweep. Zuniga is trying to regain his equilibrium and Watkins rocks Zuniga again and swarms for the finish. A clubbing right behind the ear sends Zuniga down. Watkins tees off, eventually taking his foe's back and landing a few more behind the ear as Zuniga tries to scramble to safety.

Watkins keeps throwing ground-and-pound under Zuniga's armpit until an uppercut to the chin lands, and Zuniga is out cold. He stays down on the canvas for several minutes before being taken from the cage on a stretcher.

The Official Result

Blake Watkins def. George Zuniga via KO (Punches) R1 0:55

Art Arciniega vs. Emilio Chavez

Round 1

Chavez opens with an outside leg kick. Arciniega throws a punching combo and slips to the canvas, but Chavez doesn't pounce. Chavez with another low kick, this time to the inside. Arciniega is throwing punches but is too far outside to land thus far. Chavez connects with a kick to the body. Arciniega moves forward and lands a right hand. Chavez with an outside leg kick, then follows up to the body. Chavez then lands a two punch combination up top. Chavez lands another kick to the body then moves out of danger. Arciniega misses a looping hook. Chavez remains content to kick from the outside, while Arciniega struggles to find his range on punches. Arciniega briefly backs Chavez to the fence but he doesn't land anything and Chavez circles away. Chavez goes back to the body with a kick. Chavez throws a jab, slips on a follow-up high kick but he is right back up before the horn ends the round.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chavez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Chavez
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Chavez

Round 2

Chavez leads off with a kick to the body. Arciniega tries to go to the body, but Chavez connects with another kick, then takes his foe down. Chavez is now in Arciniega's full guard. Chavez lands a solid left hand, while Arciniega is trying control his foe's head. Arciniegas's right arm is trapped behind his back. Chavez picks up the intensity of his offense at referee John McCarthy's urging. Chavez stands and fires off some shots before diving back into Arciniega's guard. Chavez connects with a solid left hand and then moves into side control. He briefly moves into north-south position before Arciniega is able to work his way back up. Chavez has a tight body lock and lands a hard knee. McCarthy orders a separation with a little more than 30 seconds remaining in the frame. Arciniega tries to walk through a Chavez kick to land some punches. Arciniega continues to try and close distance, but it's Chavez that lands a side kick as time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chavez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Chavez
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Chavez

Round 3

Chavez again opens with a kick to the body, which Arciniega almost catches. Arciniega is pressuring as Chavez attempts to fend him off with kicks. Arciniega fires an overhand right and Chavez changes levels for a takedown. Arciniega is trying to finishing a guillotine choke from half guard. Chavez gives a thumbs up to signal that he is fine. Chavez is out and he lands three consecutive elbows. Chavez working from Arciniega’s closed guard. Chavez passes to half guard. Arciniega stands up but allows his opponent to take his back in the process.

Chavez press Arciniega against the fence and secures a body lock as he works his way to the back for a moment. The jockeying for position continues and Chavez briefly gets his foe down. Arciniega is back up and he lands a solid left hand with a little more than a minute to go. Chavez takes him down and winds up in side control. Chavez is playing it conservatively, riding out the position as time ticks down. He lands a few hammerfists to appease McCarthy, then attempts to posture up and connect on some heavier blows as time runs out.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Chavez (30-27 Chavez)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Chavez (30-27 Chavez)
Jeff Miller scores the round 10-9 Chavez (30-27 Chavez)

The Official Result

Emilio Chavez def. Art Arciniega via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Chris Honeycutt vs. Clayton MacFarlane

Round 1

Honeycutt pumping his jab and then has a low kick caught by MacFarlane. Honeycutt dives for a single leg and gets his opponent down. MacFarlane is looking for a kimura but he loses wrist control. Honeycutt lands a left to the ribcage and they’re back up. MacFarlane lands a jab. Honeycutt responds with a right hand and they tie up. MacFarlane presses Honeycutt against the cage and lands some hard right hands to the body. MacFarlane attempts a hip toss but its thwarted. Honeycutt takes his foe down near the cage. MacFarlane is trying to create space with a butterfly guard. MacFarlane has a body lock from bottom position as Honeycutt lands some short punches to the head and body. MacFarlane is trying to sit up, but Honeycutt’s base remains solid. Honeycutt is now in side control, and he continues to dominate position while landing punches. MacFarlane is briefly back up but Honeycutt changes levels and takes him right back down. MacFarlane has a body lock while seated against the fence. Honeycutt pounds away with right hands to the body. The round ends with Honeycutt back on top in MacFarlane’s butterfly guard.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt

Round 2

MacFarlane with a clubbing right hand. Honeycutt rocks his man with a kick to the body. MacFarlane shoots for a takedown seemingly out of desperation. Honeycutt sprawls and now lands some punches to the ribs as his opponent holds on to the leg. MacFarlane tries to complete the takedown but Honeycutt is out and gets back to his feet. MacFarlane tries to establish his jab, but is missing the mark. The two fighters are tentatively throwing punches but neither is finding his range. Honeycutt connects with a jab. MacFarlane responds with one of his own. Honeycutt changes course and powers MacFarlane to the canvas. Honeycutt maintains control and continues to punish his foe with punches to the body. Honeycutt has MacFarlane pressed against the cage. Honeycutt hurts MacFarlane with a knee to the head, dropping his opponent. Honeycutt transitions to MacFarlane’s back. He attempts to secure his hooks while landing punches to the head. Honeycutt nearly has a crucifix position and he batters MacFarlane’s rib cage with elbows.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Honeycutt
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Honeycutt
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Honeycutt

Round 3

Both Honeycutt and MacFarlane connect with solid punches to begin the frame, but it’s MacFarlane who lands the opening takedown. The Edinboro University alum is back up and MacFarlane presses him against the cage. Honeycutt backs his foe away with a solid shot. Honecytt counters an overhand right from MacFarlane with by ducking and closing the distance. He lands another hard knee and MacFarlane tries to hang on for dear life to his leg. Honeycutt is manhandling MacFarlane.

He tries to drag MacFarlane back down to the canvas with a body lock. Honeycutt eventually gets MacFarlane back down and gets full mount. MacFarlane gives up his back and Honeycutt is riding him, pounding away with punches. Honeycutt continues to work, alternating punches and hammerfists. Now Honeycutt focuses his attack on the body. MacFarlane is doing nothing to defend, and referee Jason Herzog is imploring the prone fighter to defend himself. Honeycutt continues to punch the liver and the shoulders, and finally Herzog is forced to intervene.

The Official Result

Chris Honeycutt def. Clayton MacFarlane via TKO (Punches) R3 4:16

Julia Budd vs. Gabrielle Holloway

Round 1

Budd with an outside leg kick and then she forces a tie up. They briefly go to the mat but they’re right back up. Budd looks for the outside trip, gets Holloway down and is immediately in full mount. Now Budd gets Holloway’s back. She loses her hooks, and Holloway gets back to her feet. Budd drops down for a single leg takedown and Holloway is on her back again. Holloway gives up her back and Budd lands a knee to the body as her foe stands up. Budd is now alternating left and right knees. Budd gets another takedown even though Holloway briefly grabbed the fence. Holloway rolls forward, allowing Budd to get both hooks in. Holloway turns and is now on top in Budd’s full guard. Hollloway lands some punches as Budd attempts to cage walk. Budd with elbows to the head from her back. Budd is framing her legs for an armbar. Holloway yanks her arm free, but Budd shoves her away with her legs and they stand. Budd grabs the Thai clinch and lands some knees. She takes Holloway down and gets the back again. The Invicta veteran lands more knees as Holloway is on all fours. They return to the center of the cage with less than 20 seconds remaining. Budd tags Holloway with a big right hand. Holloway shoots for a takedown and Budd sprawls as the round expires.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Budd
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Budd
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Budd

Round 2

Budd marches forward and grabs the clinch. Holloway eats some knees as she pushes Budd into the cage. Budd turns, lands a knee and flings “The Gabanator” to the ground. Holloway is on all fours as Budd lands an elbow to the body. The larger, stronger Budd continues to overpower Holloway near the fence. Budd finishes another takedown and lands more punches and elbows. Holloway works her way back up and absorbs another knee to the body. Budd is landing knees to the thigh and foot stomps. She muscles Holloway back to the mat. Holloway remains in a defensive position near the fence as Budd lands knees to the thigh. Holloway doesn’t appear to be in serious pain from the blows, but she isn’t mounting any kind of offense, either. Boos began to come from the audience as Budd continues an efficient, if not exciting performance. Holloway is back up, but Budd is not giving her any room to breathe. The round ends with Budd attacking with more knees to the thighs as she smashes her foe against the fence.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Budd
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Budd
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Budd

Round 3

Budd marches forward, lands a punch and ties Holloway up. When she attempts a takedown, however, Holloway executes a hip toss. The position is fleeting, as Budd is quickly able to escape. Now Budd resumes her preferred method of attack, suffocating Holloway with positional control near the fence. Budd gets Holloway’s back, then moves to a front headlock. Holloway looks for a kimura from half guard but has to let it go.

Budd lands some more punches and elbows to the ribs. Budd is smothering Holloway, who remains in a defensive shell. Budd maneuvers to land more knees to the body. Holloway gets up, and Budd connects with a knee to the midsection. Budd lands a right hook, then pushes “The Gabanator” against the fence. Holloway seeks another throw, but Budd counters and gets the takedown. Budd is again attached to Holloway, but despite the dominant position she isn’t landing any type of fight-ending offense. The round ends with Budd in total control.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Budd (30-26 Budd)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Budd (30-26 Budd)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Budd (30-26 Budd)

The Official Result

Julia Budd def. Gabrielle Holloway via Unanimous Decision (30-24, 30-25, 30-26) R3 5:00

Pat Curran vs. Daniel Weichel

Round 1

Curran tries a front kick which Weichel catches and then shoves him away. Curran with a kick to the body as Weichel attempts to close the distance. Curran connects with a counter right hand. Weichel lands on outside leg kick and Curran responds with a lead hook. Weichel lands a clean right hand, the hardest strike of the round thus far. Referee John McCarthy calls time as it appears Curran is bothered by an eye poke. They quickly resume after McCarthy warns Weichel about his fingers. Curran lands a body kick under Weichel’s armpit. Curran lands a double jab. Weichel connects with a kick to the body. Curran is trying to keep his foe at bay with short kicks to the knee. Weichel kicks Curran’s legs out from under him but “Paddy Mike is right back up. Weichel does it again with another hard leg kick and again Curran pops to his feet. Curran blocks a high kick. Weichel comes forward with a combination. Weichel attempts a jumping knee and then backs away. The two featherweights trade punches in the poacket. Weichel is the aggressor as time winds down, but Curran is able to land a solid counter before the horn.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Weichel
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Weichel
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Weichel

Round 2

Curran begins with a jab followed by a lead hook. Curran attempts another left hook but Weichel blocks it. Weichel lands a punching combination. Curran answers with a front kick to the midsection. Weichel is backing Curran up and finishing his punching combos with leg kicks. Curran moves forward with a right, then a left. Weichel pumps a double jab and the second lands clean. Weichel comes over the top with a counter right hand. Weichel lands a hard kick up top. The Ilinois native’s face is beginning to show some damage. Weichel lands an outside leg kick. Curran responds with a leg kick and another kick to the body. Weichel tags Curran with a right hand. Weichel continues to took comfortable trading with Curran in the pocket. Curran gets a takedown with a little more than a minute remaining. Curran eventually works his way into half guard and he lands a right hand from above. Curran steps over into side control for a moment but he can’t transition to full mount, and “The Weasel” regains full guard. Curran finishes the round in top position.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Weichel
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Curran
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Weichel

Round 3

Curran lands a solid right hand during an exchange. Curran connects with a right to the body and a left hand up top. Weichel is trying to cut off the cage as he steps in and throws a right hand. Weichel throws a low kick and goes up top with a couple punches. Weichel gets a takedown but Cuirran is back to his feet immediately. Curran drives forward for a single leg but the German denies the attempt. Weichel throws a left hand and follows with a level change, driving Curran against the fence. Curran defends and they break away. Weichel tries for a takedown again, but “Paddy Mike” shrugs it off. Weichel continues to move forward. “The Weasel” lands a leg kick and follows with a combination. Weichel doubles up on his jab. Weichel is still the more aggressive fighter, as he attacks with a flurry of hooks.

Weichel gets Curran down again, but the former featherweight king is back to his feet after a few seconds. Curran shoots for a single leg and Weichel drives his man back with a guillotine. The German follows up with a knee to the shoulder as McCarthy looks on intently. Weichel briefly backs up Curran with a punching combination. Weichel with a leg kick. Curran counters with a punch. Weichel continues to lands cleanly. Curran shoots for a takedown in the round’s waning seconds, but Weichel successfully defends. Both fighters raise their hands in triumph after the bell sounds.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Weichel (30-27 Weichel)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Weichel (29-28 Weichel)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Weichel (30-27 Weichel)

The Official Result

Daniel Weichel def. Pat Curran via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) R3 5:00

Alexander Shlemenko vs. Melvin Manhoef

Round 1

Shlemenko wastes no time attempting a spinning back kick, but it misses its mark. Shlemenko shoots for a takedown but Manhoef is not having it. Shlemenko changes levels again but Manhoef stuffs it. Shlemenko goes with a high kick followed by a spinning back kick. Shlemenko tries a spinning back fist, Manhoef fires off some punches and they clinch against the fence. They separate and Shlemenko lans a right hand. Antoher takedown from the Russian is denied. Shlemenko drives Manhoef into the fence, where he lands some knees to the gut. Shlemenko briefly thinks about a guillotine but Manhoef frees himself without issue. Shlemenko pounds away with knees and short punches to the body while keeping the Dutchman pressed against the fence. Manhoef turns and is able to separate. Shelmemnko uses the space to fire a spinning back kick that misses its mark. Shlemneko has a shot stuffed and now Manhoef is starting to swing wildly. Shlemenko goes with a spinning back fist. The Russian tries a takedown again, but Manhoef stuffs it. “No Mercy” then stunds Shlemenko with a big right hand near the fence. Shelmenkno comes back with a jumping knee and Manhoef just misses on an uppercut. Shlemenkolands a few more knees to the body from the clinch as the round ends.

Sherdog Scores

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Shlemenko
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Shlemenko
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Shlemenko

Round 2

Shlemenko slips after missing a head kick. Manhoef doesn’t rush to attack on the slip. Shlemenko continues ot liberally throw spinning strikes, but he hasn’t been landing clean. Manhoef denies another takedown attempt. Manhoef lands an inside leg kick. The Russian finds a home for a spinning back kick to the body. Shlemenko throws a spinning back fist and the Russian’s forearm connects squarely with Manhoef’s jaw. Manhoef staggers backward, his eyes rolling back in his head. The Dutchman topples to the canvas from the blow and Shlemenko dives in to land two more follow-up punches before referee John McCarthy can step in to halt the middleweight contest.

The Official Result

Alexander Shlemenko def. Melvin Manhoef via KO (Spinning Back Fist) R2 1:25