Bellator 226 ‘Bader vs. Kongo’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Chris Gonzalez vs. Luis Vargas

Round 1

Gonzalez catches a kick from Vargas and then secures a body lock takedown near the cage. Gonzalez attempts to take the back, but Vargas returns to his feet. Gonzalez maintains the body lock and puts Vargas back down. Gonzalez clears his foe’s legs and drops a punch before landing in half guard. Gonzalez maintains heavy pressure and passes to full mount. Vargas is doing a good job controlling the posture of his opponent from the bottom. Gonzalez hasn’t landed much in the way of offense, but he’s still in a dominant position. Gonzalez creates some space and drops a big elbow, which cuts his foe. A scramble ensues and Vargas briefly reverses position. The combatants return to their feet with 1:00 left in the frame. Gonzalez is able to execute a body lock takedown in the center of the cage. Gonzalez will end the frame in full guard. 10-9 Gonzalez.

Round 2

Gonzalez forces a clinch and drives Vargas into the fence. He takes his foe down and lands in full mount. Gonzalez takes the back as Vargas attempts to stand. However, he’s a little too high and Vargas is looking to shake him off. Vargas escapes and the combatants tie up, with Gonzalez pinning his man against the fence. Gonzalez works his way to the back as Vargas remains vertical. Gonzalez sweeps Vargas to the mat and quickly transitions to full mount. Vargas uses the cage to escape, and he flurries with punches before Gonzalez drives him into the fence again. Gonzalez is able to connect his hands and execute another body-lock takedown. Gonzalez takes the back and lands some punches to the head. Gonzalez transitions to an arm triangle from mount, but he lets it go. Vargas is bleeding profusely as the round winds down. Gonzalez ends the round in full mount. 10-9 Gonzalez.

Round 3

Vargas presses forward, looking to land some punches to the head. Vargas’ aggression allows Gonzalez to secure the body lock and shove his foe into the cage. Gonzalez lands some knees to the thighs before connecting his hands and spinning Vargas to the floor. Gonzalez threatens to take the back. He has both hooks in but gives up on the choke. Vargas turns out of it, allowing Gonzalez to take full mount. Vargas uses the cage to push off with his legs and escape. Standing, Vargas attempts to force a brawl, but Gonzalez again ties him up against the fence. Gonzalez rolls into a reverse crucifix position. Vargas escapes and ends up in full mount, where he briefly unloads with a flurry of ground-and-pound. Gonzalez is able to return to his feet and secure the body lock. Vargas lands a knee but can’t break his opponent’s grip. They separate and trade leather in the waning seconds, but Gonzalez changes levels for one final takedown before the horn. 10-9 Gonzalez (30-27 Gonzalez).

The Result

Christopher Gonzalez def. Luis Vargas via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25) R3 5:00

Hyder Amil vs. Ignacio Ortiz

Round 1

The featherweights are trading punches and kicks early. Amil flurries with a combination followed by a knee to the body. Amil is applying pressure, and he lands another punching combination punctuated by a knee to the body. Ortiz lands a right, but Amil counters with a combination. They tie up and after some pummeling, Amil lands a takedown. Ortiz utilizes a closed guard to neutralize his foe. Amil lands some short shots to the body. Amil stands and then dives back in with a short flurry of ground-and-pound. Amil drops a short elbow. Ortiz scrambles up, but Amil lands a hard knee from the clinch. Amil steps off and lands a right hand. They tie up in the waning seconds and Amil lands a short elbow strike. Ortiz comes back with a left hand. 10-9 Amil.

Round 2

Amil lands a combination and ends with another knee to the midsection to open the frame. Ortiz lands a crisp jab before changing levels and securing a takedown against the fence. Amil stands, but Ortiz drags him back down with a body lock. Amil executes a switch and takes top position. From inside Ortiz’s guard, Amil drops several elbows before another scramble ensues. Ortiz traps Amil in a reverse guard, perhaps hunting for an inverted triangle. Amil separates Ortiz’s legs and lands a short uppercut when they stand. A straight left lands for Ortiz, and Amil answers with a knee. Amil shoots for a single leg and gets it. Amil transitions to the back, but Oritz scrambles up. Amil lands a knee on the break. A left hand connects for Ortiz. Amil pressures and lands a knee after a failed shot. Ortiz creates some space and lands on elbow in close quarters. 10-9 Amil.

Round 3

They clinch and Amil lands a body kick on the exit. Ortiz defends a takedown and they reset. Ortiz moves forward and lands a lead uppercut. Amil lands a knee to the gut in close. Ortiz applies pressure but absorbs another knee in the clinch. Moments later, Amil is able to secure a takedown. Ortiz explodes to his feet. Amil shoots under an Ortiz punch and lands a takedown. Ortiz uses a kimura grip to force a scramble and move to top position. Ortiz is dropping some elbows from above with a little more than 2:00 to go. Amil stands against the cage, but Ortiz tries to change levels again. Amil uses the kimura to defend and they separate. The featherweights continue to battle in close quarters in the final minute. Ortiz shoves Amil into the fence and drops for a takedown. Amil defends well, but Ortiz stays in control and lands a knee. Amil changes levels and lands a takedown before the bell sounds. 10-9 Ortiz (29-28 Amil).

The Result

Hyder Amil def. Ignacio Ortiz via Unanimous Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Abraham Vaesau vs. Renato Valente Alves

Round 1

Vaesau lands a leg kick as both fighters begin somewhat tentatively. The feeling-out process continues as we’re nearly two minutes in. Alves catches Vaesau coming in with a straight right. Vaesau blitzes forward but Alves is able to evade the majority of the attack. Alves lands a low kick and then follows up with a body kick. A very slow frame continues as Vaesau has struggled to cut off the cage. Alves does find the range on a body kick. A low kick lands for Alves. Alves tags Vaesau with a jab before the round ends and dodges his foe’s follow-up before the bell. 10-9 Alves.

Round 2

Alves just misses a looping left. The tempo is similar to the first, with neither man committing to his strikes. Alves counters a low kick with a straight right. Alves goes with a body kick, but it’s partially blocked. Alves snaps Vaesau’s head back with a quick right hand. Vaesau continues to struggle to track his foe down, as he seems perplexed by Alves’ movement. Alves ends a combination with a body kick, but nothing connects cleanly. Alves lands a body kick, then follows up with an outside leg kick. Alves again finds the range on a body kick. It’s not much, but it’s more than what Vaesau has had to offer thus far. Another uneventful frame draws to a close. 10-9 Alves.

Round 3

Alves goes back to the body kick. Veasau lands an inside low kick. The fighters are trading leg kicks early on. Veasau connects with right hand at the end of a combination. A straight left lands for Veasau, and it briefly gives Alves pause. Alves whips the leg of his foe with an outside low kick. Alves ducks uner a jab and grabs a single leg. Veasau grabs the top of the cage to briefly stuff a takedown. Moments later, Alves gets the takedown and ends up in full mount. He transitions to the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. He applies the squeeze and Veasau holds on for as long as he can before asking out of the fight.

The Result

Renato Valente Alves def. Abraham Vaesau via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R3 3:36

James Terry vs. Batsumberel Dagvadorj

Round 1

Terry whiffs on a high kick as he stalks his foe. Dagvadorj with an inside low kick. A straight counter left connects for Dagvadorj, who sprawls on a shot moments later. A right hand from Terry clips his opponent. Dagvadorj lands a series of low kicks. Dagvadorj circles off the fence and knocks Terry down with a left. He lands some lefts while spinning to take Terry’s back. Terry looks to be a little bit dazed as Dagvadorj locks in a bulldog choke. The squeeze is tight, and Terry is forced to tap out moments later.

The Result

Batsumberel Dagvadorj def. James Terry via Submission (Bulldog Choke) R1 2:43

Cass Bell vs. Isaiah Rocha

Round 1

Bell answers a low kick from Rocha with a grazing body kick. Rocha pressures forward and gets clipped with a left hand and dropped. Bell lands a couple more punches as his foe attempts to stand before locking in a tight guillotine choke. Bell maintains the squeeze, rolling on the mat before standing and cranking while pressing Rocha’s back into the fence. Rocha goes unconscious and this one is over.

The Result

Cass Bell def. Isaiah Rocha via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 1:21

Amber Leibrock vs. Jessica Borga

Round 1

Leibrock lands a right hand. Borga catches a kick and pushes Leibrock into the cage. Leibrock reverse position and lands a short elbow. They continue to battle for position, with neither fighter gaining much of an advantage. Leibrock lands a series of short knees to the body, but Borga is undeterred. More knees from Leibrock in close quarters as we approach the 2:00 mark. They finally separate and return tot he center of the cage. Leibrock lands a couple right hands and flurries on Borga until the tie up again. Borga turns Leibrock into the fence and drops for a takedown. Borga finally gets the takedown and moves immediately into mount. Borga tees off with right hands and then transitions to an armbar when Leibrock leaves her limb unprotected. Borga leans back and tightens the submission, swinging her leg over the head of Leibrock to complete the maneuver. Leibrock has no choice but to tap quickly.

The Result

Jessica Borga def. Amber Leibrock via Submission (Armbar) R1 4:45

Adam Piccolotti vs. Jake Smith

Round 1

Piccolotti lands an inside low kick. Smith presses forward, pumping his jab, then absorbs another low kick. Smith clips Piccolotti with a big right hand. Smith again lands a nice right in an exchange. Piccolotti changes levels for a takedown, but Smith defends it. Piccolotti lands a knee and a right hand as they separate from the clinch. Piccolotti shoots from way out, picks Smith up and dumps him on the mat. Piccolotti is in half guard, landing some occasional right hands. Smith sits against the fence and briefly stands before being dumped on the mat again. Piccolotti keeps his hands connected, then lands a knee as Smith stands and they break. Smith blocks a high kick, but Piccolotti connects with a left cross. 10-9 Piccolotti.

Round 2

Smith with an outside low kick to begin the action this round. Piccolotti and Smith defends against the fence. Piccolotti probes with some low kicks, then lands a front kick. Another front kick for Piccolotti before he avoids a combination from Smith. The lightweights exchange jabs. Piccolotti follows a jab with a beautiful takedown. He quickly locks in a body triangle and batters Smith with powerful right hands. Now Smith gives up his back and Piccolotti secures a rear-naked choke. It’s tight, and Smith submits moments later.

The Result

Adam Piccolotti def. Jake Smith via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 2:34

John Teixeira da Conceicao vs. Ashleigh Grimshaw

Round 1

Teixeira counters an onrushing Grimshaw with a straight right. Grimshaw again rushes forward, throwing heavy punches. Teixeira blocks a high kick and they trade briefly. Teixeira lands a knee to the body and then tags his foe with a few punches in another spirited exchange. A body kick lands for Teixeira. Grimshaw comes in with a low kick and is backed up with a counter combination. Grimshaw lands a right uppercut but eats a counter right on the exit. Teixeira makes Grimshaw stumble with a high kick and a right hand. Teixeira launches a flying knee that lands, but Grimshaw still remains upright. Teixeira throws a head kick and Grimshaw blitzes forward. Again, he’s countered by Teixeira effectively. Another glancing high kick connects for Teixeira. A flying knee from the Brazilian lands and then Macapa tees off with punches. One shot lands on Grimshaw’s jaw, but he somehow maintains his bearings. 10-9 Teixeira.

Round 2

Teixeira lands a front kick down the middle. Grimshaw closes the distance and he stumbles to the canvas after eating a right. Teixeira tees off with powerful standing to ground punches. Grimshaw hustles up to his feet and he eats a left to the chin as he presses the action. Grimshaw continues to stick with his game lan of blitzing forward, but he is getting hit and stumbling all over the cage. A whipping body kick lands for the Brazilian and Grimshaw answers with a body kick of his own. Teixeira ducks under a spinning back fist and lands a takedown near the fence. Teixeira stands, spins and passes to side control. He looks to isolate the arm, but Grimshaw is able to regain full guard. Teixeira is in half guard, where he lands some elbows and short left hands. Teixeira stands and then lands some right hands and two elbows as he dives back into guard. Grimshaw’s face is a bloody mess now as the round ends. Grimshaw has some nasty cuts opened near his eye and the contest is halted before the final stanza.

The Result

John Teixeira def. Ashleigh Grimshaw via TKO (Corner Stoppage) R2 5:00

Gaston Bolanos vs. Daniel Carey

Round 1

Bolanos takes the center of the cage and opens up with a low kick to his foe’s lead leg. Bolanos probes with a straight right hand, as both fighters are feeling each other out. A couple straight right hands connect for Carey. Carey walks into a counter left from Bolanos and is forced to back up. They clinch, and Bolanos backs his man into the cage. They separate after a brief period of inactivity. Carey closes the distance, catches Bolanos with his head down and latches on to a guillotine. Carey jumps guard, wraps his legs around his foe and falls back to the canvas. After a few moments, Bolanos doesn’t appear to be doing anything to escape, and referee Mike Beltran yells “Show me you’re there” several times with no response. Realizing Bolanos is out, Beltran steps in to wave off the bout, giving Carey an upset victory in the evening’s opening main card bout.

The Result

Daniel Carey def. Gaston Bolanos via Technical Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 4:19

Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round:
Emmanuel Sanchez vs. Tywan Claxton

Round 1

Sanchez leaps across the cage with a flying knee, but Claxton sidesteps without issue. Claxton clinches behind a left hand and executes a trip takedown. Claxton postures and attempts to land some solid ground-and-pound. Sanchez works to stand as Claxton continues to pressure him against the fence. Sanchez is up, and he slips out of a follow-up takedown try. A right hand lands over the top for Sanchez. Sanchez lands a body kick, and Claxton responds with a shot. He lifts Sanchez and dumps him on his back against the fence. Sanchez stays busy, landing elbows from his back. Claxton isn’t doing much from above, and Sanchez is operating with an active guard as he scoots to a seated position against the fence. Claxton drives an elbow to his foe’s head before Sanchez stands. Claxton with a knee to the gut before they separate. Claxton ends a punching combination with a leg kick. Sanchez presses the action with a body kick. Claxton forces a clinch, but it’s Sanchez landing a takedown late in the period. Sanchez postures up with ground-and-pound and unloads before Claxton is saved by the bell. 10-9 Sanchez

Round 2

Sanchez catches Claxton with a counter right hand. Claxton attempts a flying knee but misses the mark. A lead left hand lands for Claxton and they clinch. Sanchez denies the trip takedown. Sanchez defends a shot and turns Claxton into the fence. Sanchez wants to trip Claxton to the canvas, but he’s able to remain upright. Sanchez tries to separate, but Claxton immediately engages with a body lock. He changes levels and sweeps Sanchez off his feet. However, Sanchez has him caught in an inverted triangle, and he lands some punches to the head. Claxton frees himself and is in top position, but Sanchez is close to framing a triangle choke from his back. Now it’s getting tighter as Sanchez pulls down on the head, landing periodic elbows as well. Claxton is stuck and Sanchez is alternating elbows and hammerfists as one minute remains. Claxton hasn’t gotten closer to freeing himself, and Sanchez continues to gradually tighten the maneuver. Finally, Sanchez changes the angle slightly and Claxton is forced to tap out, knocking the young prospect from the ranks of the unbeaten. Sanchez is the first quarterfinalist in the featherweight grand prix.

The Result

Emmanuel Sanchez def. Tywan Claxton via Submission (Triangle Choke) R2 4:11

Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round:
Sam Sicilia vs. Pedro Carvalho

Round 1

Carvalho pressures early, but is backed up by a big looping right hook from Sicilia. Sicilia slips on a kick but hustles up quickly. Carvalho kicks at the lead leg of his foe and then tags him with a left hand. Carvalho slips while attempting a guillotine, allowing Sicilia to assume top position. Sicila postures up in full guard, then lands some left hands to the head as Carvalho tries to stand. Sicilia can’t get back control, but he lands an uppercut to the head and to the body against the fence. They separate and Sicilia lands a takedown after eating a hard body kick from the SBG Ireland representative. Sicilia transitions to the back and fishes for the rear-naked choke. The Sikjitsu member loses the hold, as Carvalho is able to explode and turn into top position. Now Carvalho is trying to set up a guillotine choke from above. He is in full mount briefly, but Sicilia does a good job escaping. Carvalho switches to an anaconda choke, then transitions to the back before ending the round landing punches and elbows in his foe’s guard. 10-9 Carvalho.

Round 2

Carvalho immediately applies pressure and steps in with a knee to the body and follows with a left body kick. Another hard body kick lands for Carvalho, and he connects with a left hook moments later. Siclia lands a short uppercut but eats a lead left. Sicilia catches a body kick and lands a counter right. Carvalho stuffs a takedown and muscles his man to the floor. Carvalho transitions to Sicilia’s back against the fence. He lands a couple left hands to the head before locking in a tight face crank, going palm to palm with his grip. Sicilia taps out swiftly, and Carvalho moves on to the Round of 8 in the grand prix.

The Result

Pedro Carvalho def. Sam Sicilia via Submission (Face Crank) R2 1:56

Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round:
Pat Curran vs. Adam Borics

Round 1

Borics lands a couple hard leg kicks to begin the action. Other than that it’s a measured start, as they both trade leg kicks now. Curran counters Boric with a right hand than lands clean. A left jab connects for Borics, who lands another low kick shortly thereafter. Borics follows a low kick with a head kick, but it’s blocked. Borics doubles up on his jab and lands a straight right behind it. Borics lands a low kick and then blocks a follow-up combination by Curran. In what was a pretty slow-paced round, Borics was able to control the range with his kicks. 10-9 Borics.

Round 2

Borics moves forward with a one-two, but it can’t slip through Curran’s guard. Borics with another one-two combination and then he follows with a low kick. Curran so far has struggled to pull the trigger. Curran lands a body kick as the crowd begins to grow restless with the lack of action. Borics continues to throw periodic low kicks, but Curran is landing some of his own this frame. Borics jabs to the body. More low kicks from Borics. Borics follows a low kick with a flying knee. It lands, at least partially, and puts Curran on his back. Borics follows his man to the floor, but Curran seems to have his bearings. Borics explodes with a barrage of hammerfists —though many are blocked by Curran — as the round reaches the final seconds. Borics is able to clear Curran’s legs and continues to unload with a series of unanswered punches and elbows. The onslaught continues until the bell, and the former champion is not defending himself at all. For a moment it appears Curran has survived, but referee Frank Trigg waves off the contest just before the conclusion of the round. This is the first time Curran has been stopped by strikes in his professional career.

The Result

Adam Borics def. Pat Curran via TKO (Punches) R2 4:59

Featherweight Grand Prix Opening Round:
Daniel Straus vs. Derek Campos

Round 1

Straus slips after throwing a high kick and struggles to return to his feet, so Campos takes advantage and dives into top position. Straus is looking to neutralize Campos’ offense by holding him close. Campos passes to half guard and lands some short elbows. Straus is attempting to hunt for a kimura as we approach the 2:00 mark. The kimura grip is preventing Campos from mounting any offense from above. Campos gradually frees himself and looks to frame on arm-triangle choke near the fence. He lets it go in favor of landing some punches from half guard. Campos hops into mount and lands some left hands to the ribs. Campos postures up and ends the round landing left and right hands from mount. 10-9 Campos.

Round 2

Campos opens with a standing side kick to the body. “The Stallion” changes levels and takes Straus to the mat. Campos sets up in Straus’ guard, where he lands some right hands to the body. Straus doesn’t seem to have too many answers from his back as Campos passes to half guard. Campos frees himself enough to land an elbow. We’re halfway through the frame and there appears to be no respite for Straus. Campos has now moved into full mount, where he hammers Straus’ ribs with right hands. He also has an arm-triangle choke set up if he wants it. Campos is squeezing the choke, but he needs to pass to the side to complete the maneuver. However, Campos seems content to remain in mount. Campos mixes in some slashing elbows with his punches as the seconds tick away. Campos ends the round with more forceful ground-and-pound, but Straus will survive. 10-8 Campos.

Round 3

Campos just misses on a high kick, and Straus attacks with an inside low kick. Straus goes to the body with a kick, but Campos is able to defend. Campos backs Straus up near the fence, shoots and gets Straus back to the mat. Campos is right back in half guard, and he passes with ease. This time he locks in the arm-triangle choke and immediately passes to the side of the choke. Straus guts it out and Campos goes back to mount, where he hammers the body with more punches. Straus tries to buck his opponent off, but it’s to no avail. He has simply had no answers for Campos in this position. Straus continues to be overwhelmed, and it appears that Campos is content to cruise to a lopsided decision win agianst the former featherweight champ. Straus is finally able to return to his feet, he’s clutching at his arm or chest in pain following an exchange on the feet. Campos takes the opportunity to land a flying knee on his reeling foe.Straus goes back down to the canvas and ends the fight on all fours as Campos pummels him until the bell. 10-9 Campos (30-26 Campos).

The Result

Derek Campos def. Daniel Straus via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-25, 30-25) R3 5:00

Bellator Heavyweight Title Fight:
Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo

Round 1

Bader comes out landing his left jab, and he tags Kongo with a left hook. Bader stalks Kongo against the fence. The Frenchman changes levels but is denied. Bader is stalking his foe, looking for openings. Now it’s Bader who explodes for a double leg, and he plants Kongo on his back. Bader quickly passes to side control, then steps over into full mount. Kongo is clinging to Bader in order to control his posture. Kongo has scooted to the fence and sits up against the cage. Bader has Kongo’s right leg wrapped up, which keeps him down. Bader keeps the pressure on and throws an uppercut from a crouched position. Moments later, referee Mike Beltran calls time after Bader gouges his finger into his opponent’s eye. A doctor comes in to examine Kongo’s left eye, and it appears that the Frenchman can no longer see. The eye looks pretty bad in the aftermath. As a result, the bout will be declared a no contest due to the unintentional foul. Bader will retain his heavyweight crown, but it won't be a win on his record.

The Official Result

Ryan Bader vs. Cheick Kongo is Ruled a No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke) R1 3:52