Bellator 185 ‘Mousasi vs. Shlemenko’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Joaquin Buckley vs. Vinicius de Jesus

Round 1

Buckley pumps his jab and is countered by de Jesus. Buckley punches forward but de Jesus dodges every offering and fires a head kick at his opponent. Buckley takes de Jesus down after a body kick but jumps right back to his feet. Buckley lands a solid straight left hand. De Jesus charges forward with a combination and Buckley circles out of danger. De Jesus falls backward after landing a knee up the middle but he is able to get right back up. De Jesus blocks a high kick from Buckley. A right hand from Buckley grazes the chin of De Jesus. Buckley lands a straight left upstairs and then goes to the body. De Jesus is keeping his hands low, relying on head movement. De Jesus times a Buckley punch and secures a takedown with about a minute to go. De Jesus is in Buckley’s half guard, and his foe hunts for a kimura from the bottom. De Jesus lands a couple left hands and stands, then lands an axe kick that connects with the ribs. Buckley’s mouthpiece flies out and De Jesus ends the frame in full mount, raining down punches. 10-9 De Jesus.

Round 2

De Jesus lands an outside low kick. Buckley answers with a straight left hand. Buckley catches De Jesus on the chin with a left. Buckley changes levels, picks up De Jesus and slams him down near the fence. Buckley looks to posture up in guard and land punches and elbows. De Jesus creates space with his guard and explodes to his feet. Buckley is right back on him, driving his foe into the fence and landing a couple knees. They separate and return to the center of the cage. Buckley grazes De Jesus with a head kick and the Brazilian answers with a combination. Buckley is able to change levels and take his man down again. Now it’s De Jesus fishing for a kimura from his back. De Jesus cranks the hold and rolls belly down, transitioning to an armbar. Buckley escapes and moves back into top position. Buckley lands some drumming punches on the chest of his opponent, but none are especially powerful. De Jesus returns to his feet and takes Buckley down with 20 seconds remaining. De Jesus ends the round on top. 10-9 Buckley.

Round 3

Buckley lands an inside leg kick. De Jesus catches a body kick and takes his foe down. Buckley is able to return to his feet and they’re standing again. De Jesus pops Buckley with a couple of jabs, then attacks in close quarters with a two-punch combination and a knee. De Jesus ducks under a Buckley punch and gets a takedown with about 2:50 to go. The Brazilian attempts to pass and eventually moves to side control. He has Buckley’s back for only a second but Buckley escapes and returns to his feet. Buckley throws a lazy left hand and de Jesus drives his adversary into the fence. Buckley defends and lands a knee on the break. Buckley lands a counter right hook. De Jesus is preening as the frame reaches the final minute. The Brazilian goes low for a takedown. Buckley sprawls and lands some punches to the ribs. They’re back up and de Jesus connects with another knee. Buckley blocks a head kick. Buckley lands a takedown on a De Jesus high kick but wins up in a triangle. As time ticks down, Buckley slams his foe down to the mat. 10-9 de Jesus (29-28 de Jesus).

The Official Result

Joaquin Buckley def. Vinicius de Jesus via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00

Steve Skrzat vs. Costello van Steenis

Round 1

Van Steenis takes the center of the cage and attacks with low kicks. Skrzat lands a low kick of his own and Van Steenis falls to his back. Skrzat follow his foe to the ground and sets up in full guard. Skrzat clears some space and alternates left hands and elbows from above. Van Steenis wraps Skrzat up in full guard in hopes of forcing a standup. Van Steenis tries to set up an armbar and Skrzat escapes, falling back for a leg lock. In a scramble, Van Steenis traps his foe in a modified triangle. From there, the Netherlands based fighter batters his foe with elbows. Skrzat can’t go anywhere, and he is bleeding profusely as Van Steenis continues to unload. Finally, Skrzat is forced to tap due to his foe’s unrelenting offense.

The Official Result

Costello Van Steenis def. Steve Skrzat via TKO (Submission to Elbows) R1 2:52

Alec Hooben vs. Jordan Young

Round 1

Hooben is attacking with low kicks early. Young answers with an inside low kick of his own. Hooben tries for a takedown but Young shrugs it off with ease. Hooben lands a right hand in a combination. Hooben changes levels again and Young latches on to a guillotine with his back to the fence. Hooben pulls his head free, goes behind Young and takes him down. Young transitions to a kneebar and then secures a triangle from his back in a scramble. Young lands some short right hands to the head with the choke locked in. Hooben is doing his best to scoot out of danger. However, Young adjusts the submission and Hooben is forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Jordan Young def. Alec Hooben via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 2:44

Don Shainis vs. Matt Denning

Round 1

Shainis lands a combination, attacking both the body and the head. They tie up and Shainis is able to trip his foe to the canvas. Shainis sets up in his opponent’s guard near the fence. Denning scrambles his way up only to be slammed back down tot he mat. Denning is active with his guard, but Shainis does a good job avoiding any submissions and getting back into top position. Shainis lands some short punches to the ribs. Shainis keeps the pressure on, landing periodic flurries of punches. Denning works his legs up, but Shainis is able to transition to side control for a moment. Denning recovers closed guard, where he eats more ground-and-pound. Shainis passes to full mount and Denning gives up his back. Shainis continues to pummel his opponent with short punches and hammerfists. Dan Miragliotta is taking a closer look, and Denning escapes momentarily. Shainis quickly regains a dominant position and goes back to pounding his foe. Finally, Miragliotta has seen enough.

The Official Result

Don Shainis def. Matthew Denning via TKO (Punches) R1 4:50

Vovka Clay vs. Frank Sforza

Round 1

A big hook lands for Sforza in an initial exchange. Sforza changes levels and takes Clay down against the fence. Sforza attempts to work his way to his foe’s back as Clay stands. Sforza connects with some short left hands to the face. Sforza is fighting for a takedown and he picks Clay up. Clay gets away with a fence grab before being dumped to the mat. Sforza briefly takes the back but only has one hook in before he slips off. Sforza continues to push his man into the fence, and Clay lands a couple good knees with his back to the cage. Sforza attacks for a single leg and Clay hunts for a guillotine. They go to they canvas and Clay is clinging to a guillotine from half guard. Sforza frees himself and pins Clay against the cage with about a minute left. Sforza lands a couple slashing elbows upstairs. They separate with less than 30 seconds to go. Clay lands a kick but Sforza catches it and dumps his opponent to the mat. Clay is unable to lock in an armbar before time runs out. 10-9 Sforza.

Round 2

Sforza punches his way into range and hunts for a takedown. He lifts Clay near the fence and dumps him down. Clay hangs on to a crucifix and eventually gets top position. Sforza won’t give up the leg as he stands and drives Clay to the fence. This time, however, Clay has the guillotine locked in and he sits near the cage without resisting the takedown. Moments later, with Clay’s choke locked in, Sforza asks out of the fight.

The Official Result

Vovka Clay def. Frank Sforza via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R2 1:17

Kevin Carrier vs. Jose Antonio Perez

Round 1

Carrier lands a spinning back kick to the midsection. The rangy Carrier throws a high kick and Perez ducks under it. Perez is on the outside, trying to figure out a way to get inside his foe’s reach. Carrier tags Perez with a straight punch. Carrier clips Perez with a wide left hook, but Perez seems no worse for wear. Carrier connects with a right hand in an exchange, then pops him with a short jab. Carrier is stalking Perez, and he lands a right uppercut. A mouse has formed under Perez’s right eye. Perez briefly backs up Carrier with a combo. Carrier lands a straight left down the middle. Perez moves forward with a combination but can’t find the range. Carrier tries for a takedown but Perez defends well. 10-9 Carrier.

Round 2

Perez comes out firing but again is short on his punches. Perez catches a low kick and lets it go. Carrier lands a body kick and a follow-up right hand. Carrier is putting together combinations nicely. Perez tries to answer but can connect cleanly. Perez lands a left hook to the body but misses a right hand over the top. Carrier lands a couple jabs and a left hook. A straight right catches Perez and briefly stuns him. A right hook from Carrier lands on the cup and Perez gets a few moments to recover. Perez lands a left hook-overhand right combo. Perez tries to wade through danger but he can’t find any offense. Carrier lands a left to the body followed by a low kick. Both men miss punches before the bell. 10-9 Carrier.

Round 3

Carrier deliberately moves forward, then dodges a Perez combination. Perez lands a nice two-piece combo to the body and head. Perez is starting to find his range now, working the body nicely. Perez lands a kick to the body of Carrier. Perez with another left hand to the body. Carrie’s output has waned as Perez has been the aggressor thus far. Carrier counters with a left to the body. Carrier changes levels and gets Perez down with a little more than 1:30 to go. Carrier remains in top position, landing some short punches to the body. Carrier lands a couple slashing elbows from above as he passes to half guard. Carrier picks up the intensity of his ground-and-pound as time runs out to seal his victory. 10-9 Carrier (30-27 Carrier).

The Official Result

Kevin Carrier def. Jose Antonio Perez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Ana Julaton vs. Lisa Blaine

Round 1

Julaton begins things with a couple low kicks. Blaine goes upstairs with a kick. Both fighters are throwing plenty of kicks in the early going, but not a lot is landing. Julaton lands a low kick and follows up with a spinning back kick, but it’s blocked. Julaton misses a spinning high kick. Neither flyweight has moved into close range at this point. Julaton throws a hook kick up high and Blaine catches hit, shoving her opponent into the fence. They jockey for position along the cage. It’s largely a stalemate in this position, and referee Bryan Miner urges the combatants to work. Just like that, Blaine lands an outside trip and moves to side control. Julaton lands some elbows to the body from her back, and Blaine responds with a couple short elbows to the head. Julaton stands and Blaine hangs on to a guillotine as she is pushed into the fence. Julaton is defending well, but Blaine won’t let go. Both fighers land short punches to the body as the period ends. 10-9 Blaine.

Round 2

Julaton comes out throwing kicks from the center of the cage. Julaton catches a kick from Blaine and backs her into the fence. Julaton hangs onto the leg and Blaine grabs the guillotine. Julaton frees herself and they’re battling for position against the cage again. Blaine maintains control against the fence, but not much is happening. The combatants are ordered to break. Julaton lands a spinning back kick to the body near the fence. A Julaton high kick is blocked. They tie up against the fence, and Blaine is able to take Julaton down with a trip. Blaine lands some hammerfists before Julaton scrambles into top position. Blaine keeps Julaton tight in her guard, so the former boxing champ lands a couple knees to the rear. The round ends with Julaton on top. 10-10.

Round 3

Julaton lands a quick kick to the body. Blaine goes with a high kick-spinning back kick combo, and the second offering connects. Blaine gets a takedown with just less than 4:00 remaining. Blaine is in her opponent’s half guard. Julaton attempts to land some elbows form her back, while Blaine occasionally lands punches to the ribs. Blaine lands several short elbows from above. Blaine is staying busy enough to keep top position this time. Julaton continues to try to land offense from her back. Julaton creates some space with her guard and is warned against landing an illegal upkick on her grounded foe. Blaine stands and allows Julaton back up with a little more than 30 seconds to go. Blaine forces a tie-up and the fighters tried punches in close quarters. The round ends in the clinch. 10-9 Blaine (30-28 Blaine).

The Official Result

Lisa Blaine def. Ana Julaton via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00

Ryan Quinn vs. Marcus Surin

Round 1

Quinn closes the distance with a left hand and clinches with Surin. They jockey for position before breaking apart. A left jab for Surin connects before Quinn forces the clinch again. Quinn drops down for a takedown and grabs a leg. Quinn rolls backward and ends up in Surin’s half guard. Quinn tries to take the back but Surin rolls out of danger. Quinn maintains control, but Surin powers back to his feet. Quinn drags him down from a waistlock and gets his foe’s back. This time he has a body triangle in place. Surin defends his neck, and Quinn doesn’t quite have his arm under the neck. Surin is able to turn out of danger. Quinn keeps the pressure on and lands a knee from the headlock position. Surin turns Quinn, lands some shots to the body and executes a head and arm throw. Quinn gets up quickly and the round ends in the clinch. 10-9 Quinn.

Round 2

The lightweights tie up quickly and Quinn pushes his man into the fence. Surin lands a short elbow on the break. Quinn moves forward behind and overhand right and ties up Surin again. The American Top Team product changes levels and gets a hard-earned takedown. Quinn looks to take the back and Surin tries to stand. Quinn drags him back down and gets both hooks in. Surin is able to escape and attempts to stand. Quinn drops for a double-leg and dumps Surin to the mat again at the halfway point of the round. Surin is back up and they battle for position against the fence. Quinn wrestles Surin down and is close to taking the back. Surin stands briefly before being powered back down to the canvas. Quinn keeps the pressure on with a body lock as Surin stands. Surin lands a few short elbows to the side of the head. Quinn continues to grind away against the cage as the frame ends. 10-9 Quinn.

Round 3

Quinn opens with an outside leg kick. Quinn changes levels for a takedown but Surin counters with a front headlock. He lets it go and they exchange in the center of the cage. A right hand lands for Surin but Quinn changes levels and pushes his adversary into the fence. Surin sprawls on the takedown and ends up in top position. Surin stands in Quinn’s guard and attempts to pass to side control. He can’t clear his opponent’s legs and Quinn is able to stand. Surin keeps the pressure on and moves to Quinn’s back for a rear waistlock. Surin is hunting for the rear-naked choke but he’s too high and he lets it go. Quinn transitions to an anaconda choke but he gives it up with less than 2:00 left. Surin takes top position in a scramble and moves to side control, where he lands a couple elbows. Quinn recovers guard and scrambles up, but Surin looks for a guillotine on his seated foe. He lets that go and follows up with an uppercut and a knee to the body. Quinn reverses position and ends the round with a body lock on his foe against the fence. 10-9 Surin (29-28 Quinn).

The Official Result

Ryan Quinn def. Marcus Surin via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Heather Hardy vs. Kristina Williams

Round 1

Williams opens with a spinning back kick. Hard marches forward and eats some punches and an elbow. Hardy lands a right hand and dodges some kicks. Williams and Hardy slug it out against the fence and then separate. Williams controlling the range with kicks. Hardy counters a kick with a right hand as the pace slows somewhat. Hardy goes with a jab to the head and a right to the body. Williams continues to throw a variety of kicks. Hardy moves foward and lands a jab. They trade in close quarters and Williams lands a pair of short elbows as Hardy swings wildly. Hardy punches into range and then absorbs a right head kick as she moves away. Hardy throws a right ot the body and Williams counters with a right to the face. Williams rocks Hardy with two more short elbows and a kick to the body. Hardy is bleeding from her nose now. Williams punctuates a punching combination with a kick as time winds down. 10-9 Williams.

Round 2

Williams lands a spinning back kick to the chest early. They trade willingly early, and blood quickly begins to seep from Hardy’s nose. Hardy pumps her jab, then goes to the body. Williams counters a Hardy kick with a right hand. Williams throws a high kick that’s partially blocked by Hardy. Moments later, Williams catches Hardy ducking the wrong way and lands a kick directly to the face, connecting cleanly with the shin. Hardy’s nose is gushing blood now, as it appears Williams may have broken the boxer’s nose with the kick. Blood is dripping everywhere and referee Todd Anderson calls time. The cageside doctor waves off the contest instantly, giving Williams her first professional MMA victory.

The Official Result

Kristina Williams def. Heather Hardy via TKO (Doctor Stoppage) R2 2:00

Neiman Gracie vs. Zak Bucia

Round 1

Bucia comes out in a low stance, likely to combat Gracie’s takedowns. Gracie looks to close distance, and Bucia avoids Gracie’s first takedown try. Gracie is persistent and he pushes Bucia into the fence on his re-entry and he quickly take’s Bucia’s back. Gracie has his opponent’s back with nearly four minutes remaining. The Brazilian hunts for the choke as Bucia attempts to control his opponent’s wrists. Gracie lands a couple slashing elbows to the side of the head. Gracie is staying patient, changing up the choke attempts and not expending too much energy. Bucia tries to turn but he can’t completely move into top position due to Gracie’s body triangle. Finally Bucia turns and Gracie goes from an omaplata to a heel hook. Gracies rolls for the heel hook again during a scramble and Bucia throws some punches to disrupt the hold. Bucia will survive the round. 10-8 Gracie.

Round 2

Bucia opens with a body kick. Gracie has a head kick blocked. The Brazilian punches his way into range and drops for a takedown. Bucia defends against the fence. Gracies connects his hands and gets his man down. Bucia stands and Gracie is gradually working his way to his opponent’s back. Gracie quickly gets both hooks in and goes back to hunting for the rear-naked choke. Bucia lands a few backward punches, and Gracie attempts to snake his left arm underneath the chin. Bucia turns his head, and it almost looks like more of a neck crank as the arm stays on the chin. He cranks it to the right and Bucia is forced to tap out in a matter of moments.

The Official Result

Neiman Gracie def. Zak Bucia via Submission (Neck Crank) R2 2:27

Gegard Mousasi vs. Alexander Shlemenko

Round 1

Shlemenko misses an overhand and Mousasi drives him back with a front kick. Shlemenko comes up short on a spinning back fist. Shlemenko comes forward aggressively with his back against the fence and Mousasi shoots for a takedown. The Russian briefly tries for a guillotine but Mousasi escapes. The former Strikeforce champ lands some ground-and-pound near the fence and muscles his foe to the mat when Shlemenko stands. Mousasi latches himself onto Shlemenko’s back and secures a neck crank. It looks tight but Mousasi lets it go. Meanwhile, Mousasi’s right eye appears to be swollen shut already. Mousasi remains attached to his foe’s back, and he drops some elbows to the side of Shlemenko’s head. Mousasi slides his right arm under the chin and leans back. Shlemenko is able to break the grip and stay in the fight. Mousasi has a body triangle locked in, but he can’t quite get his arm under the chin. Shlemenko reverses, stands and comes out firing. Mousasi changes levels and dives for a takedown from the outside. Shlemenko defends briefly but is taken down near the fence. Mousasi briefly has full mount before “Storm” stands. Mousasi gets Shlemenko’s back, but the Russian escapes, only to find himself in a triangle. Shlemenko frees himself and defends another Mousasi takedown with a guillotine attempt as time expires. 10-9 Mousasi.

Round 2

Mousasi will be fighting will one eye from here on out. The doctor enters the cage to check out Mousasi’s eye before the start of the frame and allows the Netherlands fighter to continue. Mousasi avoids a spinning back fist but can’t take his opponent’s back. Shlemenko lands a kick to the body. Shlemenko catches a kick and Mousasi falls to his back. Shlemenko wants Mousasi to get up. Mousasi sidesteps another spinning back fist. Mousasi shoots and is denied. The Russian lands a spinning back kick to the gut. Mousasi jabs as Shlemenko stands with his back to the fence. The Russian advances and Mousasi ducks under a huge left. Another spinning back kick to the body lands, and then the Russian follows up with a punching combination. Mousasi shoots for a takedown and pushes Shlemenko against the fence. They separate and Shlemenko comes out with a pair of spinning attacks. Mousasi counters with another takedown try, but it’s the Russian who gets Mousasi down. However, Mousasi tries to step around and take Shlemenko’s back. Rather than allow that, Shlemenko drops to his back, and Mousasi takes side control, where he drops a couple elbows. Mousasi is able to take his foe’s back with less than a minute remaining. Mousasi briefly appears to have a tight rear-naked choke, but Shlemenko is able to escape. Mousasi ends the round on his opponent’s back, with Shlemenko giving the thumbs up. 10-9 Shlemenko.

Round 3

Shlemenko lands a kick to the body and follows up with a two-punch combo upstairs. Mousasi avoids a spinning back kick. Mousasi ducks a couple massive overhands from the Russian. Mousasi lands a knee and stuffs a takedown try. A body kick lands for the former Bellator champ and then a spinning back fist connects. Mousasi ducks under a Shlemenko overhand and lands a short right. Mousasi attacks Shlemenko’s lead leg and the Russian answers with a liver kick. Mousasi pushes Shlemenko against the fence for a takedown. We’re at the halfway point of the round, and Shlemenko is able to land a throw. Mousasi gets up quickly and lands a right hand. Shlemenko catches Mousasi with a hard left hand. Shlemenko attacks and fends off a Mousasi takedown. Mousasi falls to his back and Shlemenko looks like he wants to try and land some ground-and-pound from the standing position. He clears Mousasi’s guard and lands a knee to the ribs before moving to north-south position. They stand again and Shlemenko buckles Mousasi briefly with a three punch combination. 10-9 Shlemenko (29-28 Shlemenko).

The Official Result

Gegard Mousasi def. Alexander Shlemenko via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00