Bellator 281 ‘MVP vs. Storley’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring

Lanchana Green (115) vs. Chiara Penco (115.2)

Round 1

A women’s strawweight affair kicks off festivities in London, as Green (4-4-1, 0-0 Bellator) makes her promotional debut opposite Penco (6-3, 2-1 Bellator) at 115 pounds. Jerin Valel draws the officiating assignment. No glove touch, as the two women meet in the center of the cage. They trade leg kicks, with Green throwing out a range-finding jab. Penco follows suit. She backs up Green with a counter right hand and well-timed leg kick to the back of the thigh. They exchange at close range, and Green connects with a right hook. Penco answers with a left hook, mixes in another leg kick and follows with a jab. Green’s output wanes, as her counterpart commands the distance and begins to build a marginal lead. Penco’s kicks continue to batter the legs, and she dives into range and fires an overhand right to the face. 10-9, Penco

Round 2

Penco enjoys more success with compact punches, though Green responds with an overhand right. Penco continues to feed her opponent jabs and leg kicks. Green firing in single strikes, only to be met with two, three and four punches in return. Penco appears to have a clear advantage on the feet. Green nevertheless obliges her with repeated standup exchanges, eating left hooks, jabs, leg kicks and even a knee strike up the middle for her troubles. She needs a change of pace. Penco sits down Green with a clean one-two, follows her to the mat and advances position. She settles in half guard and applies her ground-and-pound before backing out to an upright position. Green now bleeding from the nose as she retreats to her corner. 10-9, Penco

Round 3

Can Penco author a finish? That seems to be the only remaining question regarding the outcome of this fight. A jab and a leg kick cut off Green’s advances, as she pursues her adversary across the cage. Penco puts more heat on her shots at the start of the round, perhaps sensing she is no longer in any real danger. Green eats one jab after another. Penco fires the occasional left hook to the body and overhand right to the head, then denies her opponent’s bid to pull guard. Green is swimming upstream at this point. Determination may keep her around for the entire 15 minutes, but she appears destined for defeat. With two minutes remaining in the bout, Penco stays true to her approach and continues to lean on the weapons that helped her build this lead. Green refuses to go away, connects with a leg kick and lands with a few right hands over the top. She has Penco’s attention in the waning seconds. Penco executes a takedown with 15 seconds to go, closing the book on a solid performance. 10-9 Penco (30-27 Penco)

The Official Result

Chiara Penco def. Lanchana Green—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Lee Chadwick (205.4) vs. Maciej Rozanski (204.8)

Round 1

They keep the line moving in the light heavyweight division, where a former Cage Warriors Fighting Championship titleholder in Chadwick (27-15-1, 3-2 Bellator) awaits an organizational newcomer in Rozanski (13-3, 0-0 Bellator). Bryan Miner takes the reins as the referee. They touch gloves and get down to business. A fierce exchange ensues in the center of the cage, though neither man gains a discernible advantage. Chadwick, at a significant reach disadvantage, lets his hands go. Rozanski delivers a crushing uppercut and swarms with follow-up punches. A finish does not immediately materialize. Rozanski feints uppercuts to cut off Chadwick’s advances, but the seasoned Brit closes the distance and briefly secures a takedown. Rozanski calmly rises to his feet and pops Chadwick with knees to the body before denying a mat return. He turns the table along the fence, engages Chadwick at close range and lands with authority. The dogged Chadwick still manages to execute another takedown. Ground-and-pound follows. 10-9, Rozanski

Round 2

Rozanski throws out his jab and goes about stalking his opponent. A left hook finds its mark, and Rozanski sprawls out of an attempted takedown. He cuts off another takedown and meets Chadwick with a knee, as the two men clinch into the fence. Chadwick drags him to the mat and looks to consolidate his efforts with positional control. Rozanski gets back to his feet but fails to create any space. Chadwick stays glued to him, presses him back into the fence and dictates the terms of their engagement. Fatigue appears to be setting in on Rozanski, but he counters a takedown and lands in top position. He peppers Chadwick with punches, forcing him to surrender his back. Chadwick gets back to a vertical base but seems to have lost valuable momentum. Rozanski mixes in knees to the thigh, then targets the body. They separate with 30 seconds left. The movements of both men are labored, even as they swing for the fences to close the round. 10-9, Chadwick

Round 3

The outcome appears to be in doubt as the third round begins. Rozanski probes for openings with his jab, the pace of the fight grinding to a crawl. He sneaks in a right hand but allows Chadwick to close the distance yet again. Chadwick pushes him to the fence and operates from his preferred range. Rozanski turns the tables and jumps in four an attempted double-leg, but those efforts go for naught. Chadwick moves forward, but absorbs blows from both hands. Rozanski looks like he has his second wind. He sprawls out of a weak bid for a takedown and dirty boxes with the increasingly weary Chadwick but allows himself to be pushed into the cage. Chadwick secures a potentially pivotal takedown and drops short elbows in full guard. He may not have the gas required to pull off a finish. Rozanski reverses and defends an attempted leg lock. The bell sounds with both men winging punches. 10-9, Rozanski (29-28 Rozanski)

The Official Result

Maciej Rozanski def. Lee Chadwick—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Alan Carlos (189.2: Missed Weight) vs. Charlie Ward (184.8)

Round 1

Middleweights are next to the stage, as Carlos (13-9, 0-0 Bellator)—who missed weight for the match by more than three pounds—locks horns with SBG Ireland’s Ward (9-4, 6-1 Bellator). Miner is once again the third man in the cage. Ward backs the Sweden-based Brazilian to the fence and unleashes his hands. Carlos withstands his first burst of offense, then a second and moves back into open space. Ward once again measures his opponent and slams home an overhand right. Carlos staggers but escapes back to the center of the cage and attacks the Irishman’s base with a leg kick. Ward corrals Carlos along the fence, takes away his height and reach advantages and scores with short punches. Carlos applies some pressure, delivers a leg kick and covers up against the return fire. Carlos lands a clean right hook with Ward moving in and sets him on unsteady footing as the round ends. 10-9, Carlos

Round 2

Ward japs at the body and connects with a lunging left hook before closing the distance into clinch range. The Irishman drops in for a double-leg takedown and completes it. Will he find less resistance on the ground? Ward scores with clubbing punches in full guard and drops an elbow that opens a significant cut. The change in strategy pays immediate dividends for the SBG Ireland export. Ward stays busy with punches and elbows, as blood spurts from the wound and paints parts of the canvas. Whatever momentum Carlos possessed entering this round has vanished. Ward drops more punches and elbows, as he continues to make life miserable for the Brazilian. The tide has definitely turned. 10-9, Ward

Round 3

Carlos emerges from his corner with a thick glob of Vaseline on his forehead. The Brazilian connects with a chopping right hand but fails to keep his opponent at bay. Ward pushes him backward, secures another takedown and sets up shop in top position. This does not figure to end well for Carlos. Ward settles in half guard, scores with short punches and gets the blood flowing again. Somebody call the Red Cross. Ward may not have the energy to author a finish, but he has cut off avenues of escape for the Brazilian, whose situation continues to deteriorate. With two minutes to go, the writing appears to be on the proverbial wall. Carlos, perhaps resigned to his fate, has made no legitimate attempt to get back to his feet. Ward mixes punches with elbows in the waning seconds, postures late and puts an exclamation point on what figures to be a unanimous decision. 10-9, Ward (29-28 Ward)

The Official Result

Charlie Ward def. Alan Carlos—Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-25)

Andrew Fisher (145.4) vs. Attila Korkmaz (145.8)

Round 1

Attention now shifts to the featherweight division, where the well-traveled Fisher (18-8-1, 1-2 Bellator) toes the line against Korkmaz (12-6, 0-0 Bellator) at 145 pounds. Miner stays in the cage for his third straight officiating assignment. Korkmaz immediately fires kicks to the head, body and leg. Fisher answers with a partially blocked one-two, stays tight defensively and pursues his younger, faster adversary. Korkmaz counters forward pressure with jabs, leg kicks and a left hook to the body. Output favors Korkmaz thus far. He slams home a leg kick, cedes ground and dodges Fisher’s efforts to respond. Korkmaz’s kicks continue to be problematic for Fisher. A late takedown attempt from Fisher goes nowhere. 10-9, Korkmaz

Round 2

Fisher presses forward against the Berlin-based promotional newcomer. Korkmaz responds with kicks to the lead leg and body. Fisher not enjoying much success. Korkmaz steps into a right hand and eats a stiff counter in return. He emerges with a cut under the left eye, then concedes a takedown. Fisher sets up in full guard and drops short punches and elbows. Korkmaz struggles to find a position from which he can get back to his feet. Fisher’s experience is paying off here, as he advances toward the back. The momentum has shifted. Korkmaz gets back to a vertical base, only to be returned to the mat. He retreats to a seated position and fends off a north-south choke, but Round 2 belongs to Fisher. 10-9, Fisher

Round 3

Korkmaz obviously needs to stay on his feet. Fisher steps and stalks but absorbs a knee to the body and another to the head. Undeterred, he marches forward. Korkmaz stays on his horse initially and denies a takedown. He knocks Fisher off-balance with a leg kick and circles on the perimeter, probing for openings and positioning himself for a potential sprawl. Fisher snatches a single-leg, settles for a body lock and engages Korkmaz in the clinch. Korkmaz turns away his bids for a takedown, as they enter the second half of the round. Korkmaz loses his balance on an ill-advised spinning backfist and winds up on his back, pinned beneath Fisher. That could be a fight-altering mistake with 90 seconds left on the clock. Fisher works from full guard, defends against an armbar and stays in a dominant position. Korkmaz’s sinks further into quicksand with an attempt to scramble. Fisher stays on top and drops punches with 10 seconds to go. 10-9, Fisher (29-28 Fisher)

The Official Result

Andrew Fisher def. Attila Korkmaz—Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Alfie Davis (155.8) vs. Tim Wilde (155.8)

Round 1

Moving along at The SSE Arena, Davis (14-4, 4-2 Bellator) carries the London Shootfighters banner into his three-round lightweight prelim with Wilde (14-4, 2-1 Bellator). Michael Bell serves as the referee. Neither man does anything significant through the first minute. Wilde presses the issue with forward movement, answering kicks from his counterpart with occasional punches upstairs. Wilde connects with a left hook and eats a right hand in return. A firefight ensues. Davis catches a kick and briefly clinches before the two men reset at range. Davis continues to back up to his detriment. He sneaks in a kick to the head and narrowly misses a spinning backfist before shooting on an attempted double-leg. Wilde grabs the fence and draws a point deduction. That could certainly prove pivotal. 9-9

Round 2

Both men enter Round 2 sporting some superficial damage. Wilde presses forward and lets fly with power punches. Though he misses the mark, he manages to keep Davis on his heels. Wilde lands upstairs and sets off another burst of offense from the two combatants. Davis triples up on his jab, blood flowing from the nose and mouth of his adversary. With half the round gone, it remains up for grabs. Davis moves forward, catches a single-leg and fires an aerial spinning back kick to the body. Wilde is working harder, but is he working smarter? Davis seems comfortable with the terms of the fight. Davis throws out an axe kick and a wheel kick before leaving his feet for a flying knee. All three miss the mark. 10-9, Davis

Round 3

Davis connects with a Superman punch, eats a leg kick and moves backward to avoid a left hook. Wilde moves forward firing punches, though the majority of them fail to land flush. Activity seems to be in his favor, as he delivers an overhand right. Davis struggles to find the mark, as they move toward the latter half of the round. He connects with a body kick, then drops an off-balance Wilde to a knee with an overhand left. Wilde does not appear to be hurt. Davis picks his spots with left hooks as Wild continues to move forward. He doubles up on the left hook and opens a cut under Wilde’s right eye. Wilde tries to close with a flourish, but this one goes to the scorecards. 10-9, Davis (29-27 Davis)

The Official Result

Alfie Davis draws Tim Wilde—Majority Draw (29-27, 28-28, 28-28)

Kate Jackson (125.6) vs. Elina Kallionidou (125.8)

Round 1

Women’s flyweights step into the spotlight for the first time, as Jackson (11-5-1, 3-3 Bellator) collides with Kallionidou (8-4, 1-4 Bellator) at 125 pounds. Bell stays in the cage to officiate. Kallionidou rattles off a three-punch combination to establish an early foothold. Jackson backs her to the fence and attempts a trip takedown, only to have Kallionidou counter into top position. The action stalls briefly. Jackson trips her to the floor, sets off a scramble and moves to the back. Kallionidou answers with a kneebar, then shifts to a toe hold and tries to transition to a heel hook. Her efforts prove unsuccessful, and Jackson takes top position. Jackson feeds her some punches and advances to side control. The determined Kallionidou sweeps out of nowhere with less than a minute remaining in the match. Jackson regains top position with another reversal, as the give and take continues. 10-9, Jackson

Round 2

Kallionidou stings Jackson with a combination, fires a body kick and stays poised defensively. Another combination from an overzealous Kallionidou opens the door for Jackson, who secures a takedown. Jackson moves into top position, only to be reversed by the persistent Greek prospect. Jackson trips her to the floor and climbs to full mount midway through an eventful round. Kallionidou reverses and gets back to her feet. Jackson looks winded. Kallionidou unloads with another clean combination, forcing Jackson to dive in on another takedown. Jackson settles in side control but again fails to secure her position. Kallionidou rolls on top and peppers the veteran with short punches. She counters an attempted leg lock with a standing-to-ground right hand, then doles out more punishment. She takes a dominant standing position above Jackson, lets her hands go and forces the stoppage.

The Official Result

Elina Kallionidou def. Kate Jackson—TKO (Punches) 4:53 R2

Oliver Enkamp (168.8) vs. Mark Lemminger (170.2)

Round 1

As the event inches ever closer to the main card, Enkamp (10-3, 3-1 Bellator) sets his sights on Lemminger (12-4, 2-3 Bellator) in an intriguing welterweight encounter. Jacob Montalvo draws the officiating assignment. Lemminger swarms early, attacks the neck and settles for the clinch. Enkamp escapes a guillotine and takes top position before Lemminger gets back to a vertical base. Enkamp hammers the body with knees, drops in for a takedown and controls Lemminger along the fence. Enkamp gets it back on the ground with a single-leg takedown, successfully defends another guillotine and applies suffocating control. Frustration is likely building for Lemminger, who did not expect to get outwrestled. Enkamp applies pressure from the top while his counterpart fishes for submissions, none of which are successful. 10-9, Enkamp

Round 2

Lemminger comes out swing and folds Enkamp with a right hook. Enkamp snatches a leg out of desperation, but Lemminger scrambles to the back. Enkamp scrambles free and takes top position, showing no regard for the American’s submission game. Lemminger moves into open space and pours on the punishment with power punches. Enkamp looks to still be hurt from earlier in the round. Lemminger counters an attempted kimura into top position and works toward an arm-triangle. He does not have the leverage necessary to finish, and Lemminger bails, settling in full guard. Lemminger progressed to half guard and continues to flex his superiority on the mat. He floats to side control and takes the back in the closing seconds. 10-9, Lemminger

Round 3

Enkamp fires off an ill-conceived spinning attack, only to be taken down. However, he locks up a buggy choke from the bottom and prompts the tapout in a stunning turn of events.

The Official Result

Oliver Enkamp def. Mark Lemminger—Submission (Buggy Choke) 0:25 R3

Daniel Weichel (145.2) vs. Robert Whiteford (145.8)

Round 1

We have arrived at our featured prelim, as Weichel (41-13, 10-5 Bellator) looks to rebound from his Nov. 5 decision loss to Pedro Carvalho when he faces the resurgent Whiteford (16-4, 1-0 Bellator) at 145 pounds. Valel serves as the third man in the cage. The circle in the center, with Weichel sending out a pawing jab. Whiteford moves in with a leg kick-left hook combination. Weichel connects with a right uppercut, then a second. Whiteford stumbles backward, and an indecisive Valel steps in to stop it. A controversial stoppage, no doubt, as Whiteford, while dazed, appeared to be defending himself.

The Official Result

Daniel Weichel def. Robert Whiteford—TKO (Punches) 1:12 R1

Simon Biyong (205.2) vs. Luke Trainer (205)

Round 1

Light heavyweights kick off the five-fight main draw in London, where then unbeaten Trainer (5-0, 2-0 Bellator) battles Biyong (7-2, 0-1 Bellator) at 205 pounds. Valel draws the officiating duties. A jab from Biyong rings Trainer’s bell inside the first 10 seconds, then drives him to the cage. They engage one another in the clinch, and Biyong scores with a takedown. He progresses immediately to half guard but struggles to get his ground-and-pound in gear. How will Trainer respond to adversity? Biyong stays on top initially, but Trainer escapes to his feet, executes a takedown of his own and jumps to the back. He flattens out Biyong, cuts loose with punches and hunts the rear-naked choke. A dramatic turn of events. Trainer continues to pour on the punishment as he fishes for the choke, to no avail. Biyong survives. 10-9, Trainer

Round 2

Trainer sends a left cross across the bow but eats a right hand and a left hook. He hits the deck bleeding from a cut near his left eye. Biyong takes top position, moves to mount and lets fly with aimless but effective punches. Trainer withstands the assault, but Biyong remains in mount and attacks with elbow-laced ground-and-pound. Trainer is in serious peril. He dodges two rear-naked choke attempts and escapes into top position. Biyong may have punched himself out. Trainer works from full guard, but Biyong sweeps back into mount. Fatigue is becoming a factor for both men. The action stalls at the base of the cage, as Biyong hovers above Trainer in a standing position with 30 seconds to go in the round. He swings Trainer’s legs to the side and moves into side control in the waning moments. 10-9, Biyong

Round 3

The weary combatants meet in the center of the cage, likely even on the scorecards. They are understandably tentative with a minute gone. Trainer flicks out his jab, then a second, in a bid to keep his opponent at bay. Biyong connects with back-to-back right hands and drives Trainer to the canvas yet again. Trainer surrenders his back in a kneeling position, blood pouring from his face. Biyong takes top position near the fence and appears to be closing in on his most significant victory to date. He drops elbows, as Trainer scrambles back to his feet. Easily the best fight of the night so far. They exchange knees at close range, exhaustion closing in on both men. Biyong controls the positioning in the clinch and continues to bleed valuable time on the clock. A final burst from Trainer yields nothing of consequence. 10-9, Biyong (29-28 Biyong)

The Official Result

Simon Biyong def. Luke Trainer—Unanimous Decision (29-27, 28-27, 29-28)

Paul Daley (174.4) vs. Wendell Giacomo (174.2)

Round 1

Next on the docket: Daley (42-18-2, 9-5 Bellator) closes out his remarkable career at a 175-pound catchweight, as the former Cage Rage champion toes the line against Giacomo (9-2, 0-0 Bellator). Montalvo is the third man in the cage. Giacomo gets started with a leg kick and moves forward into the pocket with one of the sport’s all-time great knockout artists. The Brazilian lures Daley into the clinch and briefly takes him to the canvas. Daley gets back to the feet, only to be dragged back down, this time with Giacomo attached to his back. He transitions to full mount midway through the round. Daley probably envisioned this going differently. “Semtex” gets back to his feet and again gets taken right back to the mat. An ill-advised armbar attempt cost Giacomo top position and allows Daley to sweep into top position. Daley stands and sends a diving left crashing downward. However, he wanders into a leg lock and is forced to play defense for the remainder of the round. 10-9, Giacomo

Round 2

Daley clips Giacomo with a flying knee inside the first 10 seconds, but his decision to go to the air proves costly. The Brazilian executes another takedown, softens Daley with punches and works toward the back. This is not going well for the former Cage Rage champion. Giacomo threads both hooks with roughly two minutes remaining in the middle stanza. Daley turns inside the guard and lands in top position. He connects with a left hook as Giacomo lingers in a seated position, then swarms. A left hook to the body sets up the fight-ending right hook upstairs. Giacomo faceplants, and Daley has his storybook ending.

The Official Result

Paul Daley def. Wendell Giacomo—KO (Punch) 4:09 R2

Denise Kielholtz (124.2) vs. Kana Watanabe (125.2)

Round 1

Focus now shifts back to the women’s flyweight division, where Kielholtz (6-3, 6-2 Bellator) tests her mettle against Watanabe (10-1-1, 2-1 Bellator) at 125 pounds. Miner draws the officiating assignment. Kielholtz stuns Watanabe with a left hook inside the first 10 seconds, then swarms. Watanabe, still resourceful, secures a takedown. Kielholtz counters with an armbar attempt from the bottom, as the duel between judo black belts truly begins. Watanabe shakes free after an extended battle and takes top position midway through the round. Kielholtz stays active from the bottom and has this round locked up unless something dramatic happens in the final 90 seconds. Watanabe scrambles to the back with roughly a minute to go and hunts the rear-naked choke. Kielholtz withstands her efforts. 10-9, Kielholtz

Round 2

Watanabe shoots for an immediate takedown—that is called wisdom—and advances to the back. Kielholtz, however, scrambles into top position, avoids a kimura and drops back for a leg lock. She then unleashes a clean but illegal kick to the face, resulting in a pause to the action. Miner rightly deducts a point from Kielholtz. Watanabe shoots on another takedown after the restart and again progresses to the back. The Japanese standout floats with the scrambles and catches a triangle choke when Kielholtz rolls into top position, forcing the tap.

The Official Result

Kana Watanabe def. Denise Kielholtz—Submission (Triangle Choke) 3:03 R2

Fabian Edwards (185) vs. Lyoto Machida (185)

Round 1

We have reached our co-main event, as Edwards (9-2, 5-2 Bellator) seeks to snap a two-fight losing streak against the ageless Machida (26-11, 2-3 Bellator) in a high-stakes middleweight feature. Machida takes his typical position and works from the center of the cage. He fires off a leg kick. Edwards stays composed and hunts for openings, then flurries into the clinch. Machida flirts with a takedown, then eats an elbow on the break. They wander back into the clinch, with no discernible advantage for either man. Edwards lands a crushing left elbow as they separate, plows him to the canvas with a follow-up left hook and pounds the former UFC champion unconscious.

The Official Result

Fabian Edwards def. Lyoto Machida—KO (Punches) 3:18 R1

Bellator Welterweight Interim Title Fight:
Michael Page (168.6) vs. Logan Storley (169.4)

Round 1

The long-awaited showdown for the interim welterweight championship closes the show, as Page (20-1, 16-1 Bellator) puts his run of six consecutive victories on the line against Storley (13-1, 8-1 Bellator) in the main event. Montalvo serves as the referee in the final fight of the night. Storley works for a takedown, but his initial advances are denied. He stays active and gets Page to the ground. Whether he can keep him there will likely define the fight. Storley stays glued to the Brit, who continues to try to scramble to his feet. Page gets back to a vertical base, as his counterpart clings to a body lock and ultimately returns him to the mat. Storley has not been able to consolidate his takedowns with control or damage. He works in some knees to the thigh and makes sure he stays on top as time ticks away. 10-9, Storley

Round 2

Page jabs to the head and body, then delivers a chopping right hand over the top and sidesteps a takedown attempt. Storley looks tentative on the feet—and understandably so. Page continues to land as he hops on the balls of his feet. Storley takes a glancing right hook, grabs the legs and pushes “MVP” to the fence; a takedown results soon after. The action stalls. He mixes in a few left hands and some short elbows but nothing of any consequence. 10-9, Storley.

Round 3

Page ups the aggression at the start of Round 2 but needs to find a way to stay upright. He lands a right hand behind a flying knee, but Storley shakes it off. Page connects with an elbow and has Storley biting on his feints. Storley ducks a right hand, shoots on a takedown and assumes top position yet again. Page is getting outmaneuvered strategically, even though he has yet to absorb any true damage. He works back toward a standing position, but the relentless Story will not give him any room to operate. It goes without saying that this is not the kind of fight Page can win. With a minute left on the clock, the crowd showers the cage with boos. Storley stays busy enough to avoid a restart. 10-9, Storley

Round 4

Frustration has begun to show in Page. He stalks Storley in the standup and delivers a right hand over the top. The South Dakotan shrugs it off, then eats another. Page follows a body kick with a right cross 90 seconds into the round. Storley has not yet shot for a takedown. Page fires off another right hand, switches stances and forces the Sanford MMA rep to circle on the perimeter. They cross the midway point of the period with Page in charge. Even if Storley secures a takedown at this point, he may have already surrendered the round. Page tries to answer a takedown attempt with a flying knee but misses and winds up on the mat yet again. Storley leans on top control in the closing seconds. 10-9, Page

Round 5

As we enter Round 5, Page may need a finish to send the crowd home happy. Storley gets in on the legs after Page narrowly misfires on a flying knee. Can Page get back to his feet? If there first four rounds are any indication, the answer is no—unless Montalvo decides to intervene. Storley continues to grind away on the mat, where he has kept Page bottled up for much of the match. The four-time NCAA All-American wrestler’s time-tested skills are paying off in a big way. Page gets back to his feet with two minutes to go, only to be returned to the mat, this time in the center of the cage. A golden opportunity is slowly slipping away for the London Shootfighters star. Storley applies heavy pressure from the top, mixes in a few punches and passes to half guard, making sure the watchful Montalvo remains a spectator. Page cannot escape, his fate left to the cageside judges. 10-9, Storley (49-46 Storley)

The Official Result

Logan Storley def. Michael Page—Split Decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46). Storley wins the interim Bellator MMA welterweight championship.