Bellator 54 Live Results and Play-by-Play
Oct 15, 2011
Sherdog.com will report from the Boardwalk Hall Ballroom in
Atlantic City, N.J., at approximately 7:00 p.m. ET with
play-by-play and live results of
Bellator 54, which features the semifinals of Bellator's Season
5 middleweight tournament.
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card. Click here for quick results.
Press F5 on your keyboard to refresh this page, as play-by-play
is updated in real time.
Andria Caplan vs. Adrienne Seiber
The ladies touch gloves and immediately Caplan walks forward, attacking Seiber with lefts and rights. Seiber clinches up, looking for a trip takedown to no avail. Seiber moves Caplan up against the cage, throwing a few knees while looking for the takedown, but Caplan reverses position and takes down Seiber. The fighters immediately come back up to their feet but don’t break from the clinch. Seiber looks for another awkward trip takedown and gets it but Caplan rolls through and ends up on top in Seiber’s side guard. With less than three minutes to go in the round, Caplan comes down with a few lefts as Seiber continues to buck but gets nowhere with it. Coming up on two minutes to go in the round and Seiber seems to have little answer for Caplan on top. Seiber has gotten Caplan in half-guard and is holding Caplan’s left wrist to avoid punches. Seiber brings Caplan back to full guard now but still can do little to get off her back. The round ends with little action of note from either fighter. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Caplan.
Round 2
Seiber tries to keep Caplan away with leg kicks, but Caplan closes the distance and the ladies are soon in the clinch again. Seiber has Caplan against the cage with underhooks and scores her first clean takedown of the bout. Working off her back, Caplan has a significant cut on her right eye. It may have been from an elbow she took on her way down. Two minutes gone in the second and Caplan manages to bring Seiber into her full guard. Seiber postures up with less than two minutes left in the round, trying to improve position, but she can’t capitalize and the subsequent scramble sees the ladies back in the same position, Caplan stuck with her head against the cage. One minute left in the round and Seiber postures up, throwing some smaller shots and going after the cut on Caplan’s eye. Seiber postures up again with 15 seconds left in the round, looking to come down with more shots, but instead eats a few upkicks for her efforts. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Seiber.
Round 3
A brief exchange of strikes soon leads to another clinch. Seiber is still looking for her trip takedown while Caplan has underhooks and scores a trip of her own. A little more than a minute into the round and Caplan is in Seiber’s half-guard. Seiber brings Caplan back into her full guard. The next 90 seconds sees Caplan return the favor by opening a cut on Seiber’s right eye with elbows. Seiber is trying to stifle Caplan’s offense from bottom and eventually is able to buck her off and bring the fight to the feet with less than a minute left. Seiber’s eye is swollen as Caplan puts Seiber’s back to the cage and finishes the round with shots to the midsection. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Caplan and the bout 29-28 Caplan.
Official result: All three judges -- Michael DePasquale, Sue Sanidad and Dave Tirelli -- score the bout 29-28 in favor of Andria Caplan, who wins her pro debut by unanimous decision.
Brian Kelleher vs. Claudio Ledesma
Round 1
There’s lots of stalking and feinting from the right-handers in the opening moment, with Kelleher landing a few leg kicks and Ledesma trying to push inside with combinations from the outside. Kelleher is loading up on single punches which Ledesma is moving out of the way of. Ledesma lands a slapping inside thigh kick and sneaks a left hand through. A few more leg kicks connect for Ledesma; he’s looking to go high, but Kelleher is blocking those. Kelleher misses a spinning backfist. Ledesma connects with a two-piece and scores a takedown, shoving Kelleher into the cage. Kelleher gets to his feet with 10 seconds left in the round and eats a few left hands on the way.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Round 2
It’s Kelleher looking for a takedown early in the second. He nearly gets it, but Ledesma stays up with the help of the cage and is soon being clinched into the fence. Kelleher goes high on the double-leg and drops his man down again, but again Ledesma pops back up. Ledesma reverses, tries a takedown, can’t get it and keeps Kelleher in the clinch momentarily before splitting. Kelleher gets off one good punch before Ledesma shoots again, this time getting the takedown and pinning Kelleher at the base of the cage. Kelleher struggles, posts up and stands. Ledesma goes straight back to looking for a takedown, can’t get it this time. Kelleher shoves Ledesma into the cage and exits the clinch with an elbow and a right hand to Ledesma’s face. Ledesma lands a trio of leg kicks and has a high kick blocked. Kelleher tries to pull a guillotine when he gets in close, but instead gets dumped to his back. Kelleher grabs the choke again from guard and Ledesma extracts his head again. They scramble back to the feet, Ledesma landing a solid punch while Kelleher is on his knees.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Round 3
Kelleher eats a pair of leg kicks and gives one back, prompting Ledesma to kick his outside thigh again. Ledesma is circling continuously to his left, slipping some solid rights through in combinations. Kelleher gets him pinned on the fence and tries another guillotine, but soon gives it up in favor of over-unders. Kelleher digs for a single-leg until Ledesma reverses the position and gets a takedown of his own with 2:30 left in the fight. The Renzo Gracie pupil pins Kelleher’s legs down, not offering much offense, then controls Kelleher on the fence when he stands. Ledesma picks the ankle for another takedown and Kelleher gets up quicker this time.
Ledesma cruised past Kelleher.
Yet another takedown for Ledesma, this time a big slam, and Kelleher pops up again. Ledesma goes to a high double-leg, drives a knee into Kelleher’s thigh. Kelleher trips Ledesma to the mat and winds up on top, but only briefly, as Ledesma escapes out the backdoor. Ledesma gets one last takedown and defends a guillotine from Kelleher, who chases Ledesma down at the final bell in vain.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ledesma (30-27 Ledesma)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ledesma (30-27 Ledesma)
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Ledesma (30-27 Ledesma)
Official result: All three judges -- Michael DePasquale, Tony Tamburrino and Dave Tirelli -- score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Claudio Ledesma.
Lewis Rumsey vs. Joey Kirwan
Round 1
Kirwan choked Rumsey quickly.
Rumsey has a high kick blocked and Kirwan shoots for a takedown,
only to wind up on his back with Rumsey looking for a guillotine on
top. Rumsey falls to his back and squeezes the choke, but Kirwan
waits it out and gets to his feet. Rumsey clinches his mad on the
fence and fires off a dozen knees to the legs and body. Kirwan
escapes and takes down Rumsey, who gets up and is suplexed back to
the mat. Kirwan locks up a brabo choke and it looks tight, but
Rumsey escapes. Kirwan slaps on another guillotine from the mount
and this one is good. Rumsey hesitates momentarily before tapping
out at the 1:40 mark.
Tim Carpenter vs. Ryan Contaldi
Round 1
Carpenter swung a heavy hammer on
Contaldi.
The 6-foot-3 Carpenter lands leg kicks from the outside early on
the 5-foot-11 Contaldi. The shorter man is looking for big single
punches with his left hand at first, then switches to his right.
Carpenter, meanwhile, pumps his jab and occasionally fires off a
glancing combination. Contaldi catches a kick in the cup and
referee Kevin MacDonald steps in, but Contaldi is instantly ready
to resume. Carpenter catches Contaldi coming inside and rattles his
head with a right uppercut. Contaldi crashes to his back and
Carpenter looms over his prone opponent. Contaldi is clearly still
conscious, but referee MacDonald steps in before any additional
damage can be done. The stop comes at 2:16 of the opening
frame.
Daniel Gracie vs. Duane Bastress
Round 1
Gracie tentatively circles the outside while Bastress tries a combo then steps inside for a takedown. He slams Gracie head-over-heels, but Gracie scrambles to his knees and gets caught in north-south position with Bastress kneeing to the body. The middleweights work back to their feet and Bastress shoves Gracie into the cage and hammers the Brazilian’s thigh with short punches. Bastress breaks off the clinch with a hard elbow; Gracie comes straight forward and instantly gets muscled into the other side of the cage. Bastress has one underhook as he knees the thighs and rips right hands to the body of Gracie. Bastress keeps Gracie’s back on the fence for the final 90 seconds of the round, throwing punches and knees intermittently while Gracie offers little in reply. Gracie charges forward and is dropped to his knees with a punch, but he’s saved by the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Round 2
It’s only 15 seconds before Bastress executes another big slam takedown. Gracie rolls as Bastress pounds, looking for a heel hook or kneebar, but Bastress defends well against each attempt. From half-guard on Gracie’s right side, Bastress drops forearms and elbows, opening a bloody cut on Gracie’s forehead. Bastress keeps the pressure on, throwing hands and pinning Gracie’s throat to the canvas with his forearm. Gracie finally gets a little space and puts Bastress in his full guard, but Bastress crashes right through with another hard elbow and further right hands.
Bastress dominated Gracie.
Gracie is turtled up, taking on punishment from Bastress and giving
nothing back. Bastress takes the back briefly and lands a hard
right hand before allowing Gracie to his feet. At the last second,
Gracie lands a pair of right uppercuts which drop Bastress to his
knees.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Bastress
The cageside physician waves off the fight prior to the third round due to the cut on Gracie’s forehead. Gracie is outraged, storming around the cage and repeatedly shouting “I’m OK!” Duane Bastress is awarded the TKO victory by doctor stoppage at 5:00 of the second round.
Rene Nazare vs. Jacob Kirwan
Round 1
Nazare lands the first blows with a few chopping outside leg kicks before stuffing a quick combination in Kirwan’s face. Kirwan shoots right afterward and Nazare sprawls all over it. The second effort from Kirwan yields a takedown, but Nazare sweeps with ease into Kirwan’s half-guard. Kirwan’s left side is to the fence, Nazare on top dropping short elbows and forearms. Kirwan regains full guard as the round reaches the midway point and Nazare drops half a dozen hard right hands on his ribs. Referee Kevin MacDonald asks for more work as Kirwan keeps Nazare tight in the closed guard. They’re stood up with 90 seconds remaining and Nazare goes back to kicking. Kirwan sneaks a left jab through, catches a kick from Nazare and spins the Brazilian to the floor. Kirwan works to isolate the arms of Nazare from half-guard while Nazare tries to push off the cage with his feet. Kirwan looks to mount some offense just before the bell but can’t get much going.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nazare
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nazare
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Nazare
Round 2
The lightweights trade punches briefly until Kirwan dips inside and hits a double-leg in the center of the cage. Nazare seems open to the takedown, going to his back and closing up guard. Kirwan works to half-guard on Nazare’s right and socks him with punches. Kirwan looks to be hunting for keylock, but gives it up. The action slows as Kirwan flattens Nazare out and Nazare struggles to create space. Referee MacDonald twice implores them to work and Kirwan obliges with a few punches to the head. The stand-up order comes with 1:45 left on the clock. Back on the feet, Nazare gets off a single leg kick before he’s plowed back to the floor. Nazare grabs for a guillotine, but there’s nothing there and he quickly lets go. Nazare leans to his right and uses a kimura to stand back up, then takes Kirwan down to the base of the fence. Kirwan is bleeding above his left eye as he’s held down and punched in the body for the last 30 seconds of the frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kirwan
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kirwan
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Kirwan
Round 3
Kirwan gets a few long lefts through Nazare’s guard before driving forward and working for a takedown. He gets it and Nazare goes for another guillotine, again coming up with nothing as Kirwan advances to half-guard. It’s more of the same from the previous round, close-quarters fighting on the ground with Kirwan throwing enough punches to keep the fight where it is. The first boos of the evening start to rain down as the final round hits the midway mark. Kirwan tries to pass to side control but Nazare keeps him in place. Kirwan drops a few short forearms on the shrimping Nazare and referee MacDonald tells him to “keep them clean.” Nazare has a strained look as he tries to escape again and fails, then starts throwing level elbows at Kirwan from the bottom.
Kirwan topped Nazare.
The Brazilian swings his legs up for a triangle or armbar, winds up
atop Kirwan and then stands back up. Nazare shoots with 30 seconds
left and brings Kirwan down at the base of the fence, and that’s
where it ends.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kirwan (29-28 Kirwan)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kirwan (29-28 Kirwan)
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Kirwan (29-28 Kirwan)
Official result: Judge Sue Sanidad sees the bout 29-28, while judges Michael DePasquale and Tony Tamburrino have it 30-27, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Jacob Kirwan.
Zach Makovsky vs. Ryan Roberts
Round 1
Makovsky flicks out a leg kick and catches Roberts’ return kick, easily bringing him to the floor. Robert is warned by referee Kevin MacDonald for throwing an illegal elbow to the back of Makovsky’s head from his back. Roberts throws up leg-scissors and catches Makovsky’s head.
Makovsky manned Roberts on the mat.
The Bellator champ is trapped, but not badly enough to tap out and
Roberts eventually releases the hold. Back on the feet, the action
moves slowly with Makovsky landing a few inside thigh kicks.
Makovsky wades inside and eats an uppercut. He lands a short left
straight and buckles Roberts’ legs, but Roberts stays up and
circles out. Makovsky lands another left, an inside leg kick and
then scores a flawless single-leg. Makovsky passes to Roberts’ left
and knees at his body before moving to north-south position. With
seconds left in the round, Makovsky latches on a north-south choke.
Roberts arches his back to defend, but the choke is in deep and
he’s forced to submit. The official time of Makovsky’s submission
win is 4:48 of round one.
Bellator Middleweight Tournament Semifinal
Bryan Baker vs. Vitor Vianna
Round 1
Baker comes straight forward with a head kick, followed by a flurry of punches which Vianna answers with a long, swiping right hand. Baker is wild with his strikes, looking for a homerun shot. Vianna counters a short left from Baker with an overhand right that hits Baker’s temple. Baker crumbles to the ground and Vianna misses his downed opponent with an ill-intentioned soccer kick. Jumping atop and controlling Baker’s legs, Vianna wails away with right-hand hammerfists until referee Keith Peterson steps in to save the dazed Baker. After just 54 seconds, Vitor Vianna moves to the final of Bellator’s fifth-season middleweight tournament.
Bellator Middleweight Tournament Semifinal
Alexander Shlemenko vs. Brian Rogers
Round 1
Shlemenko lands a body kick and a left hand that appears to bother Rogers, who paws at his right eye as he’s shoved into the cage. Rogers reverses the position but can’t hold Shlemenko there long. Shlemenko connects with a turning kick to the body, then a left hook as they clinch back up. Rogers pushes Shlemenko into the fence, backs up and tries to leap back in with a flying knee which misses. Rogers blocks a body kick and knocks Shlemenko to his posterior with a straight right. Shlemenko pops back up, misses a spinning attack and eats another straight punch from the American. Rogers ducks inside to tie up, perhaps looking to take the Russian down, but gets stifled. After a moment of clinching, Rogers whips Shlemenko to the canvas, but Shlemenko hops back up. He walks Rogers down and Rogers zaps him with a right hand before circling out. Rogers bullies Shlemenko on the fence, jumps in with a Superman punch and gets backed up with a body kick. Shlemenko holds Rogers for the final 15 seconds of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rogers
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rogers
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Rogers
Round 2
Shlemenko misses a head kick, walks inside on Rogers and takes a flurry of punches for his trouble. Rogers perfectly times a spinning backfist, dipping in to take Shlemenko down. Shlemenko scrambles to his feet, covering up and taking a big right hand to the body as he does. Shlemenko connects with a backfist and Rogers is in trouble. Shlemenko’s going wild, throwing hands and knees, trying to finish. Rogers puts his hand on the mat to avoid the knees and survives the onslaught. Rogers lands a big right hand as the pair split back up. Shlemenko grabs the Thai clinch and lands a pair of solid knees which have Rogers careening into the fence. Shlemenko lands more knees to the head before Rogers puts his hand on the mat again. A pair of right hands to the ribs of Rogers convince him to straighten his doubled-over position. When Rogers’ hand lifts off the mat, Shlemenko drills him with two more brutal knees to the face. Referee Keith Peterson dives in for the save at 2:30 of round two, sending Alexander Shlemenko through to meet Vitor Vianna in the Bellator middleweight tournament final.
Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card. Click here for quick results.
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Andria Caplan vs. Adrienne Seiber
Round 1
The ladies touch gloves and immediately Caplan walks forward, attacking Seiber with lefts and rights. Seiber clinches up, looking for a trip takedown to no avail. Seiber moves Caplan up against the cage, throwing a few knees while looking for the takedown, but Caplan reverses position and takes down Seiber. The fighters immediately come back up to their feet but don’t break from the clinch. Seiber looks for another awkward trip takedown and gets it but Caplan rolls through and ends up on top in Seiber’s side guard. With less than three minutes to go in the round, Caplan comes down with a few lefts as Seiber continues to buck but gets nowhere with it. Coming up on two minutes to go in the round and Seiber seems to have little answer for Caplan on top. Seiber has gotten Caplan in half-guard and is holding Caplan’s left wrist to avoid punches. Seiber brings Caplan back to full guard now but still can do little to get off her back. The round ends with little action of note from either fighter. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Caplan.
Round 2
Seiber tries to keep Caplan away with leg kicks, but Caplan closes the distance and the ladies are soon in the clinch again. Seiber has Caplan against the cage with underhooks and scores her first clean takedown of the bout. Working off her back, Caplan has a significant cut on her right eye. It may have been from an elbow she took on her way down. Two minutes gone in the second and Caplan manages to bring Seiber into her full guard. Seiber postures up with less than two minutes left in the round, trying to improve position, but she can’t capitalize and the subsequent scramble sees the ladies back in the same position, Caplan stuck with her head against the cage. One minute left in the round and Seiber postures up, throwing some smaller shots and going after the cut on Caplan’s eye. Seiber postures up again with 15 seconds left in the round, looking to come down with more shots, but instead eats a few upkicks for her efforts. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Seiber.
Round 3
A brief exchange of strikes soon leads to another clinch. Seiber is still looking for her trip takedown while Caplan has underhooks and scores a trip of her own. A little more than a minute into the round and Caplan is in Seiber’s half-guard. Seiber brings Caplan back into her full guard. The next 90 seconds sees Caplan return the favor by opening a cut on Seiber’s right eye with elbows. Seiber is trying to stifle Caplan’s offense from bottom and eventually is able to buck her off and bring the fight to the feet with less than a minute left. Seiber’s eye is swollen as Caplan puts Seiber’s back to the cage and finishes the round with shots to the midsection. Sherdog.com scores the round 10-9 Caplan and the bout 29-28 Caplan.
Official result: All three judges -- Michael DePasquale, Sue Sanidad and Dave Tirelli -- score the bout 29-28 in favor of Andria Caplan, who wins her pro debut by unanimous decision.
Brian Kelleher vs. Claudio Ledesma
Round 1
There’s lots of stalking and feinting from the right-handers in the opening moment, with Kelleher landing a few leg kicks and Ledesma trying to push inside with combinations from the outside. Kelleher is loading up on single punches which Ledesma is moving out of the way of. Ledesma lands a slapping inside thigh kick and sneaks a left hand through. A few more leg kicks connect for Ledesma; he’s looking to go high, but Kelleher is blocking those. Kelleher misses a spinning backfist. Ledesma connects with a two-piece and scores a takedown, shoving Kelleher into the cage. Kelleher gets to his feet with 10 seconds left in the round and eats a few left hands on the way.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Round 2
It’s Kelleher looking for a takedown early in the second. He nearly gets it, but Ledesma stays up with the help of the cage and is soon being clinched into the fence. Kelleher goes high on the double-leg and drops his man down again, but again Ledesma pops back up. Ledesma reverses, tries a takedown, can’t get it and keeps Kelleher in the clinch momentarily before splitting. Kelleher gets off one good punch before Ledesma shoots again, this time getting the takedown and pinning Kelleher at the base of the cage. Kelleher struggles, posts up and stands. Ledesma goes straight back to looking for a takedown, can’t get it this time. Kelleher shoves Ledesma into the cage and exits the clinch with an elbow and a right hand to Ledesma’s face. Ledesma lands a trio of leg kicks and has a high kick blocked. Kelleher tries to pull a guillotine when he gets in close, but instead gets dumped to his back. Kelleher grabs the choke again from guard and Ledesma extracts his head again. They scramble back to the feet, Ledesma landing a solid punch while Kelleher is on his knees.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Ledesma
Round 3
Kelleher eats a pair of leg kicks and gives one back, prompting Ledesma to kick his outside thigh again. Ledesma is circling continuously to his left, slipping some solid rights through in combinations. Kelleher gets him pinned on the fence and tries another guillotine, but soon gives it up in favor of over-unders. Kelleher digs for a single-leg until Ledesma reverses the position and gets a takedown of his own with 2:30 left in the fight. The Renzo Gracie pupil pins Kelleher’s legs down, not offering much offense, then controls Kelleher on the fence when he stands. Ledesma picks the ankle for another takedown and Kelleher gets up quicker this time.
K.
Mills
Ledesma cruised past Kelleher.
Yet another takedown for Ledesma, this time a big slam, and Kelleher pops up again. Ledesma goes to a high double-leg, drives a knee into Kelleher’s thigh. Kelleher trips Ledesma to the mat and winds up on top, but only briefly, as Ledesma escapes out the backdoor. Ledesma gets one last takedown and defends a guillotine from Kelleher, who chases Ledesma down at the final bell in vain.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Ledesma (30-27 Ledesma)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Ledesma (30-27 Ledesma)
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Ledesma (30-27 Ledesma)
Official result: All three judges -- Michael DePasquale, Tony Tamburrino and Dave Tirelli -- score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Claudio Ledesma.
Lewis Rumsey vs. Joey Kirwan
Round 1
K.
Mills
Kirwan choked Rumsey quickly.
Tim Carpenter vs. Ryan Contaldi
Round 1
K.
Mills
Carpenter swung a heavy hammer on
Contaldi.
Daniel Gracie vs. Duane Bastress
Round 1
Gracie tentatively circles the outside while Bastress tries a combo then steps inside for a takedown. He slams Gracie head-over-heels, but Gracie scrambles to his knees and gets caught in north-south position with Bastress kneeing to the body. The middleweights work back to their feet and Bastress shoves Gracie into the cage and hammers the Brazilian’s thigh with short punches. Bastress breaks off the clinch with a hard elbow; Gracie comes straight forward and instantly gets muscled into the other side of the cage. Bastress has one underhook as he knees the thighs and rips right hands to the body of Gracie. Bastress keeps Gracie’s back on the fence for the final 90 seconds of the round, throwing punches and knees intermittently while Gracie offers little in reply. Gracie charges forward and is dropped to his knees with a punch, but he’s saved by the bell.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Round 2
It’s only 15 seconds before Bastress executes another big slam takedown. Gracie rolls as Bastress pounds, looking for a heel hook or kneebar, but Bastress defends well against each attempt. From half-guard on Gracie’s right side, Bastress drops forearms and elbows, opening a bloody cut on Gracie’s forehead. Bastress keeps the pressure on, throwing hands and pinning Gracie’s throat to the canvas with his forearm. Gracie finally gets a little space and puts Bastress in his full guard, but Bastress crashes right through with another hard elbow and further right hands.
K.
Mills
Bastress dominated Gracie.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Bastress
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Bastress
The cageside physician waves off the fight prior to the third round due to the cut on Gracie’s forehead. Gracie is outraged, storming around the cage and repeatedly shouting “I’m OK!” Duane Bastress is awarded the TKO victory by doctor stoppage at 5:00 of the second round.
Rene Nazare vs. Jacob Kirwan
Round 1
Nazare lands the first blows with a few chopping outside leg kicks before stuffing a quick combination in Kirwan’s face. Kirwan shoots right afterward and Nazare sprawls all over it. The second effort from Kirwan yields a takedown, but Nazare sweeps with ease into Kirwan’s half-guard. Kirwan’s left side is to the fence, Nazare on top dropping short elbows and forearms. Kirwan regains full guard as the round reaches the midway point and Nazare drops half a dozen hard right hands on his ribs. Referee Kevin MacDonald asks for more work as Kirwan keeps Nazare tight in the closed guard. They’re stood up with 90 seconds remaining and Nazare goes back to kicking. Kirwan sneaks a left jab through, catches a kick from Nazare and spins the Brazilian to the floor. Kirwan works to isolate the arms of Nazare from half-guard while Nazare tries to push off the cage with his feet. Kirwan looks to mount some offense just before the bell but can’t get much going.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Nazare
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Nazare
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Nazare
Round 2
The lightweights trade punches briefly until Kirwan dips inside and hits a double-leg in the center of the cage. Nazare seems open to the takedown, going to his back and closing up guard. Kirwan works to half-guard on Nazare’s right and socks him with punches. Kirwan looks to be hunting for keylock, but gives it up. The action slows as Kirwan flattens Nazare out and Nazare struggles to create space. Referee MacDonald twice implores them to work and Kirwan obliges with a few punches to the head. The stand-up order comes with 1:45 left on the clock. Back on the feet, Nazare gets off a single leg kick before he’s plowed back to the floor. Nazare grabs for a guillotine, but there’s nothing there and he quickly lets go. Nazare leans to his right and uses a kimura to stand back up, then takes Kirwan down to the base of the fence. Kirwan is bleeding above his left eye as he’s held down and punched in the body for the last 30 seconds of the frame.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kirwan
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kirwan
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Kirwan
Round 3
Kirwan gets a few long lefts through Nazare’s guard before driving forward and working for a takedown. He gets it and Nazare goes for another guillotine, again coming up with nothing as Kirwan advances to half-guard. It’s more of the same from the previous round, close-quarters fighting on the ground with Kirwan throwing enough punches to keep the fight where it is. The first boos of the evening start to rain down as the final round hits the midway mark. Kirwan tries to pass to side control but Nazare keeps him in place. Kirwan drops a few short forearms on the shrimping Nazare and referee MacDonald tells him to “keep them clean.” Nazare has a strained look as he tries to escape again and fails, then starts throwing level elbows at Kirwan from the bottom.
K.
Mills
Kirwan topped Nazare.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Kirwan (29-28 Kirwan)
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Kirwan (29-28 Kirwan)
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Kirwan (29-28 Kirwan)
Official result: Judge Sue Sanidad sees the bout 29-28, while judges Michael DePasquale and Tony Tamburrino have it 30-27, all for the winner by unanimous decision, Jacob Kirwan.
Zach Makovsky vs. Ryan Roberts
Round 1
Makovsky flicks out a leg kick and catches Roberts’ return kick, easily bringing him to the floor. Robert is warned by referee Kevin MacDonald for throwing an illegal elbow to the back of Makovsky’s head from his back. Roberts throws up leg-scissors and catches Makovsky’s head.
K.
Mills
Makovsky manned Roberts on the mat.
Bellator Middleweight Tournament Semifinal
Bryan Baker vs. Vitor Vianna
Round 1
Baker comes straight forward with a head kick, followed by a flurry of punches which Vianna answers with a long, swiping right hand. Baker is wild with his strikes, looking for a homerun shot. Vianna counters a short left from Baker with an overhand right that hits Baker’s temple. Baker crumbles to the ground and Vianna misses his downed opponent with an ill-intentioned soccer kick. Jumping atop and controlling Baker’s legs, Vianna wails away with right-hand hammerfists until referee Keith Peterson steps in to save the dazed Baker. After just 54 seconds, Vitor Vianna moves to the final of Bellator’s fifth-season middleweight tournament.
Bellator Middleweight Tournament Semifinal
Alexander Shlemenko vs. Brian Rogers
Round 1
Shlemenko lands a body kick and a left hand that appears to bother Rogers, who paws at his right eye as he’s shoved into the cage. Rogers reverses the position but can’t hold Shlemenko there long. Shlemenko connects with a turning kick to the body, then a left hook as they clinch back up. Rogers pushes Shlemenko into the fence, backs up and tries to leap back in with a flying knee which misses. Rogers blocks a body kick and knocks Shlemenko to his posterior with a straight right. Shlemenko pops back up, misses a spinning attack and eats another straight punch from the American. Rogers ducks inside to tie up, perhaps looking to take the Russian down, but gets stifled. After a moment of clinching, Rogers whips Shlemenko to the canvas, but Shlemenko hops back up. He walks Rogers down and Rogers zaps him with a right hand before circling out. Rogers bullies Shlemenko on the fence, jumps in with a Superman punch and gets backed up with a body kick. Shlemenko holds Rogers for the final 15 seconds of the round.
Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Rogers
Chris Nelson scores the round 10-9 Rogers
Lutfi Sariahmed scores the round 10-9 Rogers
Round 2
Shlemenko misses a head kick, walks inside on Rogers and takes a flurry of punches for his trouble. Rogers perfectly times a spinning backfist, dipping in to take Shlemenko down. Shlemenko scrambles to his feet, covering up and taking a big right hand to the body as he does. Shlemenko connects with a backfist and Rogers is in trouble. Shlemenko’s going wild, throwing hands and knees, trying to finish. Rogers puts his hand on the mat to avoid the knees and survives the onslaught. Rogers lands a big right hand as the pair split back up. Shlemenko grabs the Thai clinch and lands a pair of solid knees which have Rogers careening into the fence. Shlemenko lands more knees to the head before Rogers puts his hand on the mat again. A pair of right hands to the ribs of Rogers convince him to straighten his doubled-over position. When Rogers’ hand lifts off the mat, Shlemenko drills him with two more brutal knees to the face. Referee Keith Peterson dives in for the save at 2:30 of round two, sending Alexander Shlemenko through to meet Vitor Vianna in the Bellator middleweight tournament final.
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