Bellator 114 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Eric Wahlin vs. Jose Rodriguez

Round 1

Wahlin drives forward with a pair of low kicks but eats a right cross for his efforts. He drives Rodriguez into the cage and clinches, grabbing a front headlock and briefly searching for a standing guillotine. Rodriguez pulls his head out and rips a knee to the body before separating, but Wahlin pursues him across the cage digs several hard lefts to the ribs. Wahlin then scores with a double-leg slam and starts yanking on a can-opener, but he has been cut over his right eye. Rodriguez fires and up-kick at the man on top and now has a good look at a triangle, but he doesn’t go for it. Instead, Wahlin passes to half guard, but Rodriguez rolls him and sets up shop with some ground-and-pound from his opponent’s guard for the last 45 seconds of the round.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Whalin
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Rodriguez

Round 2

Wahlin lands a right hook to start the second, but Rodriguez wobbles him back with a serious right hand, followed by a knee. Walin bites down on his mouthpiece and walks through it, launching a high kick that is partially blocked. Both middleweights look absolutely exhausted just 90 seconds into the bout, but Wahlin hits a takedown against the cage. However, Rodriguez grabs and arm-triangle from guard and sweeps his foe, rolling into side control and forcing Wahlin to tap.

The Official Result

Jose Rodriguez Def. Eric Wahlin Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke) R2 2:06

Mike Estus vs. Gavin Sterritt

Round 1

Estus leads with a pair of hard low kicks, but Sterritt catches a third attempt and throws his off-balance foe to the mat. Now Sterritt is working the American over with low kicks, but Estus explodes into a takedown attempt. The Brit counters with a guillotine, but Estes again explodes up, and the men trade more leg kicks. Estus lands a nice left hook to the jaw, but he appears to be hurt by a knee to the body as he shoots for a fruitless single-leg. Sterritt sprawls out on him and rips multiple shots to the American’s ribs.

Estus escapes, but more punishment awaits when he stands, as Sterritt drills him with several hard punches and knees. Estus shoot for another takedown, but Sterritt counters with a guillotine, rolling into guard and forcing “The Real Pretty Boy” to tap out.

The Official Result

Gavin Sterritt Def. Mike Estus Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 3:29

Trevor Carlson vs. Linton Vassell

Round 1

Carlson takes center cage and drives his shin into Vassell’s lead thigh, but the Brit slips a jab and scores with a power double-leg takedown. Vassell passes to half guard and throws some distracting lefts at his foe’s face as he fiddles with passing to side control. Carlson is doing his best to tie up the Brit, but Vassell essentially has free rein to posture up and drop ground-and-pound when he wants to. Vassell mashes with several solid elbows. Carlson bucks onto his hip, but Vassell corrals him and pushes the American onto his back once more. Now Vassell has locked up a seat belt and drops two hard lefts on Carlson’s face that force him to give up his back. Vassell jumps on and sinks his hooks, but he can’t find the choke before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vassell
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Vassell
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Vassell

Round 2

Carlson does his best to keep Vassell at bay early in round two, but the Englishman once again plants him on the canvas with a takedown. The American is taking some heavy breaths from the bottom, and Vassell nearly passes to mount. Carlson rolls onto his belly, and Vassell slides the blade of his forearm under Carlson’s throat. The end comes not long after, as Vassell sinks his left hook and flattens out his opponent to elicit the tap.

The Official Result

Linton Vassell Def. Trevor Carlson Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 1:54

Bubba Jenkins vs. Sean Powers

Round 1

Jenkins pops his lanky foe with an overhand right and quickly drags him to the mat with a single-leg. Jenkins starts to unload with ground-and-pound from open guard, but Powers is now looking for an inside heel hook. The NCAA champ defends it well, however, and cracks his man with a hammer fist before crawling back into Powers’ guard. Midway through the round, Powers is setting up an armbar from bottom, but the wrestler postures out of it. Two crisp rights then sneak through Powers’ defense, followed by a left elbow. Powers again swivels his hips for an armbar, but he only eats a hammer fist for his troubles. Jenkins rides out the final 30 seconds on top and defends a triangle attempt to end the frame.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jenkins
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Jenkins
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Jenkins

Round 2

Powers leads with a pair of push kicks to start, but Jenkins takes him down quickly, this time passing to side control quickly. However, Powers recovers guard and starts to butt-scoot away from his opponent. He wall-walks to his feet but eats several hard blows as he stands. Jenkins soon grabs ahold of him again and dumps him right back down to the mat. Powers tries to scoot away off his back, but Jenkins continues to smother him. Jenkins pops him with several more punches from top position and stifles another attempt at a stand-up to close out round two.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jenkins
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Jenkins
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Jenkins

Round 3

Powers foolishly looks for a jumping knee, and Jenkins takes advantage of the gift, taking him to the canvas with ease. Two hard lefts land on Powers’ cheek. The lanky lightweight throws up his legs for a triangle, but Jenkins shucks him off easily and passes to side control. Powers rolls away, but Jenkins rides him and maintains his superior position. Powers’ corner is telling him to get up, which cues Jenkins to pop up on his haunches and rain down some hard punches. Powers recovers guard, but Jenkins drives two more crisp lefts into his foe’s face. Powers pushes off the cage and tries to scramble up, but Jenkins stifles him and unloads with more solid shots.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Jenkins (30-27 Jenkins)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Jenkins (30-27 Jenkins)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Jenkins (30-27 Jenkins)

The Official Result

Bubba Jenkins Def. Sean Powers Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00

Justin Wilcox vs. Jason Fischer

Round 1

Wilcox rifles off a right and then swarms with punches, but he can’t land cleanly. “The Silverback” does score a takedown after closing the distance, but Fischer pops right back up and then digs a hard low kick into Wilcox’s lead thigh. The Strikeforce vet answers with a pair of low kicks of his own and then a stiff jab, but Fischer fires back with a low kick and right straight. Another right straight lands for Fischer, but “The Silverback” grabs an easy single-leg takedown and cracks his man with an elbow. Fisher is playing game defense off his back and lands some short elbows that slow down Wilcox’s measured ground-and-pound. Fischer maintains his work rate and uses wrist control to stifle Wilcox, who can’t get anything off for the last minute.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wilcox
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Wilcox
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Wilcox

Round 2

Wilcox wings a right to start, and both men flail with punches to little avail. Fischer ends an exchange with a snap kick to the cup, which briefly halts the action. Wilcox is OK, and the fight resumes. Wilcox drives forward with a right straight, but Fischer fires back with a crisp right of his own. However, the Strikeforce alum passes to half guard and is now mashing with short elbows to the cheekbone. Fischer recovers guard and slams an elbow into Wilcox’s face, cutting him under the left eye.

Wilcox again passes to half guard and drops a couple of punches and elbows, though Fischer recovers guard just before the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wilcox
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Wilcox
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Wilcox

Round 3

Fischer leads with a pair of push kicks and catches Wilcox with his shin as “The Silverback” dips for a takedown. Wilcox completes the maneuver and lands in half guard, grinding away with shorts shots that do little damage. Fischer recovers guard with three minutes left in the round and drives an elbow into Wilcox’s face. Fisher throws up his legs for a triangle, but Wilcox throws his legs aside and sits back into half guard in order to grind away with a few more short elbows. Fischer is doing is best to push Wilcox off, but the former bodybuilder is too heavy.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Wilcox (30-27 Wilcox)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Wilcox (30-27 Wilcox)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Wilcox (30-27 Wilcox)

The Official Result

Justin Wilcox Def. Jason Fischer Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00

Bellator Middleweight Tournament Bout: Brett Cooper vs. Kendall Grove

Round 1

Referee John McCarthy starts this middleweight tournament semifinal, and Grove pecks away with inside low kicks and jabs. Cooper is stalking him and lands a glancing left hook, followed by a low kick that buckles the lead leg of “Da Spyder.” However, Grove grabs a body lock and drags the former title challenger to the canvas, sliding onto Cooper’s back and sinking in his hooks. A seated Cooper smacks his man with some punches over his shoulder and then tries to roll, but the UFC veteran hangs with him and maintains back control. Grove transitions to a body triangle, but Cooper defends the rear-naked choke well. However, Grove starts to unload with ground-and-pound, and McCarthy is taking a long, hard look. Cooper covers his face but has no real answer for the hailstorm falling on him. Cooper is saved by the bell.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Grove
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-8 Grove
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-8 Grove

Round 2

Cooper lands a sweeping uppercut to start the second round, followed by a second one. Grove clinches and looks for a single-leg, but Cooper shucks him off. Grove then connects with a sharp one-two from distance, but Cooper closes the distance and lands a clubbing right hook. However, the UFC alum fires back with a hard knee to the ribs and then a right hand to the ear. Cooper leaps in with a left hook-uppercut but eats a jab-cross counter and then a triple jab. Cooper suddenly crushes Grove with a violent right hand.

Grove hits the canvas and does his best to survive, but Cooper swarms him with a furious wave of punches, putting “Da Spyder” to sleep with his head pinned against the fence.

The Official Result

Brett Cooper Def. Kendall Grove KO (Punches) R2 3:33

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Bout: Desmond Green vs. Will Martinez

Round 1

Martinez whips a leg kick to the inside thigh of his southpaw opponent, and Green answers back with a low kick of his own. Martinez moves forward and clubs Green with a pair of good right hands, but “The Predator” responds with a takedown. Martinez springs back up, but Green grabs his lead leg and pops him with several nice shots. Martinez looks for a takedown, but Green stuffs it and cracks him. Both men are landing pretty evenly, firing short shots on the inside. Green is clearly the superior athlete, however, and he times a nice double-leg takedown. Green then lands a pair of solid lefts and stands, and Martinez threatens with some nasty-looking up kicks. Green dives back into guard and lands some short shots to end the round.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Green
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Green
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Green

Round 2

Green connects with a nice left to start. Martinez tries to retaliate with a pair of rights. He hits all air, but then connects with a wild left over the top. Green closes the gap and grabs a rear waist lock, digging knees into Martinez’s hamstrings before hoisting him high and slamming him to the canvas with a gut wrench. Martinez looks for an armbar off his back, but Green rips his exposed appendage out of danger. Martinez is taking some deep breaths now with Green in his guard, and he is bleeding from the mouth.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Green
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Green
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Green

Round 3

The featherweights hug it out to start the final round. Martinez backpedals and puts his back against the cage, but Green will not be lured in. Green cracks his man with a left straight and then wobbles him with a hard right, but “The Predator” chooses not to follow up. Martinez bounces up and down to regain his wits and steps back into the pocket. The southpaw is a step quicker, however, and Martinez cannot find a home for one of the big shots he hopes to land. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old continues to press forward and lands a nice left, prompting Green to shoot for a takedown. Martinez sprawls but lets Green back up, and the 24-year-old ends the fight with another takedown.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Green (30-27 Green)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Green (30-27 Green)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Green (30-27 Green)

The Official Result

Desmond Green Def. Will Martinez Decision (Unanimous) R3 5:00

Bellator Featherweight Tournament Bout: Matt Bessette vs. Daniel Weichel

Round 1

Bessette strikes first with a body kick, and Weichel catches a kick aimed at his lead thigh. The German lands two nice punches as he follows Bessette into guard. The American grabs a rubber, but Weichel postures up and drives two jackhammer rights into Bessette’s mug. Weichel pops up to his feet and lands another straight punch. The former M-1 champ seems content to pound away from guard, and he lands several hammer fists before finally stepping into half guard. Bessette rolls onto his right hip and attacks with a kimura, using it to create space. Bessette explodes to his feet, but Weichel drives him into the cage, where both men land short punches from close quarters.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Weichel
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Weichel
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Weichel

Round 2

Bessette whiffs with an uppercut. Weichel blocks an overhand right and counters with a knee to the ribs, but “The Mangler” retaliates with a body kick that is caught by the German. Weichel shoves his man to the mat, but Bessette springs back to a vertical base. Bessette pursues with a short left, though Weichel comes back with a sharp one-two. Now a body kick lands for the American, followed by a low kick and a lead right hook. Weichel catches another low kick but can’t capitalize. Bessette is finding his range, and Weichel is slowing down, though “The Weasel” cracks him with another nice right.

Now Bessette fires back, connecting with several short punches and then a pair of knees from the clinch.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Bessette
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Bessette
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Bessette

Round 3

Weichel starts the final frame with low kicks and jabs, following up with a hard knee up the middle. The featherweights trade jabs and right hands. Weichel dumps his foe with a knee-tap and grabs a front headlock to force the American onto his back. Bessette’s corner implores him to stand, and “The Mangler” tries in vain to shrimp away from the sticky German. Bessette then tries to swivel for an armbar, but Weichel defends well and pops him with several hammer fists. With one minute to go, Bessette is desperately looking for a way up, but Weichel stays tight and pins him down. Bessette finally shows his back and just makes it back to his feet as the bell rings.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Weichel (29-28 Weichel)
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Weichel (29-28 Weichel)
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Weichel (29-28 Weichel)

The Official Result

Daniel Weichel Def. Matt Bessette Decsion (Unanimous) [30-27, 29-28, 29-28] R3 5:00

Bellator Middleweight Title Fight: Alexander Shlemenko vs. Brennan Ward

Round 1

Shlemenko whiffs on a left hook and lands a kick to the liver. Ward steps forward and clinches up, landing a knee and then trying for a takedown. “Storm” uses a whizzer to defend deftly, however, and cracks the challenger with a right hook. The champ drives his shin into Ward’s body and then connects with two more hard punches. Ward tries a takedown, but Shlemenko is down for only a moment before eating a knee to the cup. Referee John McCarthy calls time, and the champion recovers quickly. Ward comes forward right away but eats a right hook counter on the way. The American quickly dumps the Russian against the cage, however, and digs in one hook as he finishes for a face-crank. McCarthy stands them due to inactivity, and Shlemenko cracks the challenger with a pair of solid left hooks. Ward comes right back, though, and takes Ward’s back during a scramble with 90 seconds remaining. McCarthy implores Ward to work to finish, but “The Irish Bad Boy” can only peck away with some minor punches before time expires.

Sherdog Scores

Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Shlemenko
Brian Knapp scores the round 10-9 Ward
Mike Fridley scores the round 10-9 Ward

Round 2

Both men wing punches to start, and Shlemenko drives another hard body kick home. They clinch, and “Storm” drives a knee to the live, followed by a left hook downstairs. Another middle kick lands for Shlemenko. The American drops for a single-leg, and the champion snatches a 10-finger guillotine. No need to pull guard for Shlemenko, who cinches the choke from a standing position, forcing Ward to tap out from his knees.

The Official Result

Brennan Ward Submission (10-Finger Guillotine Choke) R2 1:22