Bellator 94 Results: Live Play-by-Play & Updates

• Emanuel Newton vs. Mikhail Zayats
• David Rickels vs. Saad Awad
• Luis Melo vs. Trey Houston
• Ronnie Mann vs. Rodrigo Lima
• Kenny Moss vs. Julien Williams
• Jessica Aguilar vs. Patricia Vidonic
• Rob Horton vs. Augusto Sakai
• Joe Taimanglo vs. Ronnie Rogers
• James Edson Berto vs. Bruno Carvalho
• Tony Fryklund vs. Patrick Cenoble
• Heather Clark vs. Felice Herrig

Sherdog.com will report from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Fla., at approximately 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT with play-by-play and live results of Bellator 94, which is headlined by two Bellator Season 8 tournament bouts.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Have a question for Sherdog.com's medical expert? Tweet The Fight Doctor via @FightMedicine.

Heather Clark vs. Felice Herrig

Round 1
The women close the distance on one another and Clark throws Herrig to the mat with a headlock throw. Clark sets up from half guard, trying to pound to the body of Herring and open up a guard pass. Herrig keeps Clark's right leg locked down, denying her the pass as Clark works for a guillotine from the top. Left punches and forearms land for Clark, who is having her way positionally with Herrig. Clark looks for a kimura on the far arm. No matter if Herrig tries to tie Clark up or to sweep her, the Jackson's MMA fighter stays on top, pounding away.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Clark
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Clark
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Clark

Round 2
Herrig stays outside to begin the second row, landing low kicks and teeps. Clark is able to counter with her hands on the occasion when Herrig does get close, slowlng her offense. The women exchange hard left hooks. Clark looks upstairs for a right head kick, but Herrig rushes her with punches and pushes her back to the fence. Referee Jorge Ortiz pauses the action briefly to discard one of Herrig's neon yellow hair extensions which had come loose. Herrig runs into the clinch again and tries to inside trip “Hurricane” to the canvas, but Clark tries to counter with another headlock throw. In the double-botched takedown attempt, Herrig winds up taking Clark's back and sinks in a body triangle as she grapples for a rear-naked choke along the fence. Clark ably defends, but Herrig maintains position and punches until the horn.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Herrig
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Herrig

Round 3
Both Herrig and Clark probe the distance with kicks, but it is Herrig who scores first, flurrying with her hands to the body and upstairs. Clark throws a teep up top that grazes the cheek, prompting another clinch from the “Lil' Bulldog,” and finally a successful trip takedown. Herrig sets on top as Clark looks for a triangle choke. Clark looks for a kimura on the nearside arm but Herrig powers free. Herrig gets to half guard and as Clark tries to buck away, the Jeff Curran understudy passes over her legs and takes full mount. Clark rolls and we're back where the second stanza ended, with a Herrig body triangle on the back of Clark.

Clark pins Herrig's left arm with her own so Herrig goes for a one-armed rear-naked choke, gripping her own shoulder. Clark grimaces but toughs it out, tightly pinning Herrig's other arm to prevent her from finishing the choke. Clark rolls again and Herrig stays glued to her back, fishing for the choke. With 10 seconds to go, Herrig punches away before slipping over Clark's back. Clark winds up on top, but it's too late. The bell rings, Herrig jumps up and celebrates in Clark's face, prompting some after-the-bell shots from both women.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Herrig (29-28 Herrig)
Jesse Denis scores the round 10-9 Herrig (29-28 Herrig)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Herrig (29-28 Herrig)

Official result: Judge Mike Ross sees the bout 29-28 for Heather Clark, while Chris Lee scores the contest 29-28 for Felice Herrig. Deciding judge Richard Davis sees the bout 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Felice Herrig.

Tony Fryklund vs. Patrick Cenoble

Round 1
Fryklund feints and hits Cenoble with some tepid inside leg kicks. Cenoble, on the balls of his feet, wades back and forth looking for hard counterpunches. He rips “The Freak” with a short right as he comes in, then stuffs his attempted to takedown with a firm overhook. Fryklund pushes him to the fence and peppers him with pawing shots as he tries to drag the taller Cenoble to the mat. Cenoble breaks free and wades forward with his offense now, swiping at Fryklund to the body and head with heavy, whipping punches. Fryklund shoots and is stuffed again. The Florida fighter is looking confident with his boxing now, rolling side-to-side on the feet and cracking Fryklund with both hands. Right crosses and right uppercuts rake Fryklund, who is finally able to twist Cenoble to the mat and stop the thumping on the feet. Fryklund's face is bloodied, crimson pouring from above his eyes. Fryklund chips away on top until Cenoble kicks him away and works back to his feet with just over 30 seconds to go. Left hook to the body lands for Cenoble before Fryklund drives him to the mat before the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cenoble
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Cenoble
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cenoble

Round 2
Fryklund comes out guns blazing, racing at Cenoble with a chain of one-two's, just glancing his target. The UFC veteran does put Cenoble on his heels, setting up a takedown. Cenoble grabs the fence and attempts to use it to stand back up from the mat, but referee Troy Waugh instantly steps in and docks him a point for his blatant foul. The fight resumes on the feet and Fryklund plows Cenoble to the canvas again, looking for a keylock on top. He's unable to keep down the squirrely Cenoble, who comes back to his feet with the same wild swinging style. Fryklund covers up high and puts Cenoble on the mat with another double-leg takedown, bodying him along the cage with some punches. Cenoble gets back to his feet, but his shoddy wrestling lets him down again as Fryklund dumps him on his seat. Fryklund tries to pin Cenoble's right arm underneath his own body while landing short lefts. Cenoble breaks free and spins in vain pursuit of an armbar. Fryklund lands some more grinding shots on top before the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-8 Fryklund
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-8 Fryklund
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-8 Fryklund

Round 3
Cenoble sticks his long jab in the 42-year-old Fryklund's swollen face, easily shrugging off his desperate takedown attempts. Cenoble is now loading up on each southpaw power shot like a video game character. Fryklund shoots and clings to Cenoble's wrist while getting decked. “The Freak” is a punching bag at this point, as the local fighter cuts angles and bashes him to the head and body with both hands.

After 90 seconds of one-sided abuse, Fryklund desperately kneetaps his way to a takedown and gets to north-south position. Cenoble turns to scramble, Fryklund nearly takes his back, eventually settling for a top crucifix. Cenoble peels the exhausted Fryklund off of him and slides out the back door, getting back to his feet. Fryklund jumps right into a hard left from his foe, but easily puts him on the canvas once more. Cenoble is trapped up against the fence with the spent Fryklund tiredly punching away. Cenoble slides up the fence with just seconds to fight and is unable to land anything else before the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Cenoble (28-28 Draw)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-10 (29-28 Fryklund)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Cenoble (28-28 Draw)

Official result: Judge Don Balas has the bout 29-27 for Patrick Cenoble, while judge Chris Lee sees it 29-27 for Tony Fryklund. Judge Richard Davis sees the bout an even 28-28, making the bout a split draw.

James Edson Berto vs. Bruno Carvalho

Round 1
Carvalho starts with a hard inside low kick and Berto tries to return with a roundhouse kick upstairs. “Little Tiger” shoots in but the Brazilian stuffs his takedown and stands. Carvalho kicks low again, but Berto comes back with a sizzling right cross that freezes Carvalho, sending his mouthguard flying and dropping him to the canvas in survival mode. As Berto swarms for the finish, Carvalho locks an armbar. Berto stands up and gives referee Jorge Ortiz a thumbs up as he wiggles his elbow free. The Florida fighter instantly grabs a leg and rocks back for an inverted heel hook.

Carvalho tries to roll through, but the EliteXC veteran cranks it tighter. Carvalho is forced to tap out at 1:27 of the first round.

Joe Taimanglo vs. Ronnie Rogers

Round 1
The fighters exchange briefly before Rogers scoops up Taimanglo and walks him across the cage for a huge slam. Rogers postures up in his opponent's guard but can't seem to get much offense going. Taimanglo manages to stand and from there, begins controlling the tempo against the cage, landing short shots inside. The two split and Rogers sweeps the leg of the fighter from Guam, who recovers quickly and scores a huge slam of his own. "The Juggernaut" moves from half guard to obtain side control, secures a crucifix and punches away. Taimanglo tries to pass further, initiating a scramble back to the feet before the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Taimanglo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Taimanglo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Taimanglo

Round 2
Taimanglo walks through Rogers' kicks, ducking low and slamming him with a high-crotch lift just seconds into the second frame. The Guamanian fighter quickly moves to north-south position and then locks up a choke. The HIT Squad fighter is stuck the choke and can't escape. The north-south choke brings Taimanglo the tap at 33 seconds of round two.

Jessica Aguilar vs. Patricia Vidonic

Round 1
Vidonic throws a one-two, allowing Aguilar to tie her up and throw knees to the body. Aguilar runs her foe back to the fence and elevates her, slamming Vidonic down to the mat. Aguilar keeps her legs hooked, trying to pass into side control but eventually settling for half guard. The flexible Vidonic regains full guard and stays active from her back, trying to climb up for an armbar on Aguilar. “Jag” can't get her hands free to really land any ground-and-pound with the Oregonian constantly tying her up and looking for submissions. Vidonic keeps elbowing from the bottom and looking for submissions on Aguilar, who buries her head into Vidonic's stomach until the bell rings.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vidonic

Round 2
Vidonic again punches to the clinch, where Aguilar reaches for the double collar tie and goes to work with a short volley of knees. Vidonic tries for a change of venue, pressing Aguilar into the cage for a single-leg takedown but “Jag” takes Vidonic off her leg and runs her back into the fence. The action slows to a crawl as the women jockey for position along the cage. Just past the halfway mark of the round, Vidonic yanks Aguilar's leg out and deposits her on the canvas. Vidonic crossfaces Aguilar and digs to the body with right hands. Aguilar opens up and looks for an armbar, but eats left hands and forearms for it. Aguilar keeps looking for the armbar but Vidonic simply hammerfists in response. Aguilar finally turns and gets decent position on Vidonic's arm but the Oregon fighter stacks her against the fence and punches with her free arm until the round expires.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Vidonic
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vidonic

Round 3
Vidonic wings forward with some ugly right hands, prompting another collar tie from Aguilar. “Jag” digs to the body with knees before trying to muscle her way to a takedown. Vidonic controls Aguilar with an overhook, but the American Top Teamer stays busy with right knees. Aguilar foot sweeps Vidonic, smartly putting her opponent on the mat. Aguilar is determined to pass Vidonic's half guard but can't advance in spite of her efforts. Vidonic squirms on the bottom, hooking through Aguilar's knee and looking half-heartedly for a sweep.

Aguilar gets back into Vidonic's full guard, but just as was the case in the first frame, can't find any substantial offense. Referee Jorge Ortiz stands the pair up with just over a minute to fight. Upon retaking their feet, both women run to the clinch again, where Aguilar lands with clean knees to the body once more. Vidonic pushes her to fence wall again, with both fighters exchanging short knees to the midsection until the final bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-10 (30-28 Vidonic)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Aguilar (29-28 Vidonic)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Vidonic (30-27 Vidonic)

Official result: Judge Chris Lee scores the bout 29-28 for Jessica Aguilar, while Richard Davis sees it 29-28 for Patricia Vidonic. The deciding scorecard comes down to Mike Ross, who scores the contest 29-28 for the winner by split decision, Jessica Aguilar.

Rob Horton vs. Augusto Sakai

Round 1
After a for-show exchange of hands, Horton drops levels and runs Sakai into the cage in pursuit of a takedown. Sakai turns him around and drills him with knees to the body before separating. Horton bulls forward, landing a short right hook before essentially bowling Sakai over. Sakai hits the deck and Horton moves to full mount. Unfortunately, Sakai rolls and the novice Horton can't sink his hooks to keep the position. Sakai ends up on top, peppering the Floridian with right hands until he reaches his feet. Horton gets to his feet, but eats two wild shots from Sakai and another volley of knees. Sakai continues to tie up Horton along the cage, denting his legs up with short knee strikes. They separate and both men have resorted to slow, lunging shots from the outside. Horton runs Sakai down to the mat with just over 10 seconds to go but does nothing constructive with it.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Sakai
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Sakai

Round 2
The second round begins where most of the first frame occurred, with Sakai running Horton back into the cage and hammering him with knees. Horton gets free but takes an outside low kick that almost trips him to the mat. The Brazilian native lands two more sharp knees to the face and a left hand to the mouth. Sakai drives to the body with knees until one grazes Horton low, prompting referee Troy Waugh to pause the bout momentarily. Upon resumption, Sakai walks Horton down again, cracking him with another outside low kick and initiating the clinch again.

More knees from Sakai land while Horton's back is trapped against the fence. Blood is smeared across Horton's face, below his nose. More knees and left hands for Sakai land but Horton battles off the cage, only to eat more punishment. Sakai looks exhausted from beating Horton up at this point. Another massive knee from the Thai clinch snaps the Tampa, Fla., native's head up. Sakai with another left hand, pushing Horton on his heels to the other side of the cage. Sakai clinches up once more, driving a knee between Horton's exhausted guard, square to the face.

Horton instantly falls to all fours and referee Troy Waugh has finally seen enough. The thumping mercifully comes to an end at 4:01 of the second round.

Kenny Moss vs. Julien Williams

Round 1
Williams gets in Moss' face quickly, feinting and putting the “Kaveman” on his heels. Williams gets him back to the cage and sucks him to the canvas. Williams quickly postures up in full guard, punching with both hands. Moss tries to kick him away, but Williams stays glued to him on top, stacking and punching. Moss keeps trying to sneak up the fence as Williams punches away. He finally gets close, but Williams locks up a tight guillotine, torquing Moss' head to the side. Moss escapes the choke initially, but Williams is still glued his head. The Orlando, Fla., fighter keeps the front headlock on Moss, locks up another guillotine choke and drives him back to his seat. Moss is trapped on his seat and forced to tape at 3:19 of the bout.

Bellator 2013 Summer Series Bantamweight Tournament Qualifier:
Ronnie Mann vs. Rodrigo Lima

Round 1
Lima nervously feints and circles on the outside while Mann takes the center of the cage and looks to counter. Lima throws a wild overhand right and eats two quick shots in return. The Brazilian returns with a low kick and just misses the business end of a Mann counter right. Mann cracks Lima with a good hard low kick of his own, but “Ratinho” struggles to land kicks of his own without Mann catching them and countering him. Another Mann right lands when Lima loads up on a rear uppercut. Mann kicks low and eats a right hook from Lima that drops him to the mat. “Ratinho” is in frenzy mode, gunning away with both hands as Mann covers up and recovers. “Iron” has his wits about him quickly and takes the center of the cage again. Mann kicks once more and Lima unloads three right hands that smack Mann's mouthguard loose from his mouth. Lima is looking for the overhand right off of every Mann low kick now. The two size one another up some more but neither man lands another clean blow before the round ends.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lima
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lima
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lima

Round 2
Lima kicks on leg kicking, even as Mann grabs at his legs and keeps looking to counter. Mann throws a right body kick and Lima catches him with a right hook. “Ratinho” drops for a takedown, running Mann back into the cage for a moment before stepping away. A long right cross from Lima snaps Mann's head back. Mann keeps his workrate up with the outside low kick to Lima's left leg but is more gunshy after feeling “Ratinho's” power. Mann kicks to the body again, prompting a forward rush from Lima. Mann avoids the brunt of Lima's heavy blows and resets standing. Mann sticks Lima with two knees to the face as the Brazilian fighter charges in, but Lima punches right through the clinch to get free.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lima
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lima
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lima

Round 3
Each time Mann closes the distance, Lima continues to swing wild hooks to keep his opponent away from him. The Brit tries to flash his jab but can't locate the Brazilian. Mann tries to charge Lima but “Ratinho” grabs a front headlock in the scramble and snaps him to the mat. Lima keeps the front headlock, working to pass to the full mount while controlling the head and neck. After achieving a stable top position, Lima opts to release the headlock, pounding away on top from half guard. Lima continues to step over Mann's right arm, pummeling his foe with left hands and forearms.

When Mann tries to roll inside to look for a takedown, Lima seeks a brabo choke. Mann explodes and initiates a scramble that nets him top position, but he winds up instantly trapped in a “Ratinho” traingle. Lima doesn't have the choke airtight, so he uses it to control his opponent and pelt him with punches and elbows until the final bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Lima (30-27 Lima)

Official result: All three judges -- Don Balas, Chris Lee and Mike Ross -- score the bout 30-27 for the winner by unanimous decision, Rodrigo Lima. Lima earns a berth in the Bellator 2013 Summer Series bantamweight tournament with the victory.

Bellator Season 9 Welterweight Tournament Qualifier:
Luis Melo vs. Trey Houston

Round 1
Melo is in Houston's face quickly, but almost eats a roundhouse kick to the head for it. “Sergio Junior” attacks with knees in close, but as soon as Houston gains his bearings, he puts Melo on the mat and punches from full guard. The Tulsa, Okla., fighter steps away, allowing Melo to stand up. Just as soon as they resume, Houston walks into an inside low kick from Melo and takes the impact straight on the cup. Houston goes down on all fours courtesy of the groin shot that brings instant apologies from Melo. The Brazilian fighter is the aggressor, keeping Houston on his heels with attacking punches. Melo essentially trips Houston to the canvas with his forward pressure, winding up on top in full guard. “Sergio Junior” is pounding ably with both hands, passing under Houston's legs to side control. Clean right hands are landing for Melo as Houston thrashes around on the bottom. Melo stands back up and delivers some more heavy shots from Ali-Inoki position before settling back on top and punching Houston in the mouth. Houston finally kicks Melo off of him and gets back to his feet. Houston is coming forward, scoring with rangy punches. Melo, his back to the fence, explodes forward into another takedown with approximately 30 seconds to go in the round. Houston ties up his arms well to avoid any punishment before the bell sounds.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Melo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Melo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Melo

Round 2
Houston shows more of his kicking offense early in the second round, even putting a teep to the mouth of the Brazilian. The Oklahoman is able to get a bit of a brawl started, enticing the Brazilian into changing blows with him. Melo manages not to eat any major blows, but as he looks to clinch, Houston decks him with a right cross the spills him on the mat. In the blink of an eye “That Just Happened” is on his back looking for a rear-naked choke. Houston is able to sink the choke but can't secure his hooks, allowing Melo to turn into him and escape. The Brazilian gets back to his feet, undaunted, punching his way right into another takedown against Houston. “Sergio Junior” has slowed considerably but still manages to land some clean blows on Houston's face. Melo passes under the legs to side control again and nearly manages to go right to a north-south choke from there. Houston spins out, but gets trapped on all fours with Melo pounding away. The Brazilian stands and cracks Houston in the ribs with a nasty soccer kick, then dives back into his guard. Melo keeps diligently pounding away, eventually forcing Houston into the turtle position again. Houston tries to forward roll into a more advantageous position, but Melo controls his waist and keeps punching away until the bell dings again.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Melo
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Melo
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Melo

Round 3
A right hand and a knee land for Luis Melo, who has reddened the face of Trey Houston considerably at this point. The tiring Houston walks right into another level change from the Brazilian and gets put back on the canvas. Houston just looks spent at this point in the fight. Melo begins punching at will and casually moves into mount. Just as soon as he takes full mount, he secures an arm-triangle choke and barely even has to pass to the side to finish it. The worn-down Houston taps quickly at 1:09 of the final frame. Luis Melo now qualifies for Bellator's Season 9 welterweight tournament.

Bellator Season 8 Lightweight Tournament Final:
David Rickels vs. Saad Awad

Round 1
Awad slips on the first kick he throws, but Rickels patiently lets him take his feet before slipping two low kicks in. Awad tries to aggressively throw combos on Rickels, but the “Caveman” covers up well and returns fire. Rickels sticks his jab out and continues to sweep low with his kicks to stop the advancing Awad. Awad comes back with outside low kicks of his own, chopping into Rickels in return. Awad chases Rickels back to the fence again and explodes into the clinch, ragdolling the former welterweight to the mat. Awad pushes Rickels across the canvas to the fence, which Rickels shrewdly uses to stand back up. Rickels exposes his back and Awad clings to a rear waistlock. The Californian lifts Rickels up from the waistlock and dumps him on the mat again. Rickels tries to upkick, but Awad lands more clean hammerfists before settling back into his guard. Awad stands again, securing a front headlock as Rickels tries to roll forward. Rickels escapes before the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Awad
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Awad
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Awad

Round 2
Awad catches Rickels' first kick, nearly putting him on the mat. Rickels wriggles free but Awad stays glued to him, driving him into the cage and dumping him on the mat. The Derby, Kan., fighter gets back to his feet and yanks Awad to the canvas from the waistlock this time. Rickels sets up shop in half guard, landing short elbows. Awad is able to sweep Rickels and roll through, taking top position and winding up in Rickels' full guard. The Millenia MMA fighter cracks Rickels with solid lefts while Rickels looks for an armbar. Rickels continues trying to climb the ladder and look for submissions, but Awad powers out. Awad reaffirms his top position, grinding with short elbows on Rickels, who is trying to shrimp his way back to the fence. Awad stands briefly but dives into Rickels' half guard before the bottom man can hop back to his feet.

More lefts for Awad land but Rickels shimmies up the cage with just under 30 seconds to go. Rickels just misses a left elbow, but glances with a left cross along the fence. Rickels rips back with two more left hooks that stagger Awad along the cage. Rickels then lands a right cross just a second before the bell that drops Awad to his face. The bell ends the round, but Awad remains down on the mat. Despite time seemingly having expired, referee Troy Waugh calls the bout and awards it to David Rickels via knockout. Rickels wins the Bellator Season 8 lightweight tournament title at 5:00 of the second round.

Bellator Season 8 Light Heavyweight Tournament Final:
Emanuel Newton vs. Mikhail Zayats

Round 1
Both fighters gauge the range with kicks from the outside, but it's Newton who explodes forth with rushes of punches and side kicks. Zayats avoids eating serious leather on the first two Newton rushes, but “The Hardcore Kid” is clearly looking to score haymaker shots. Zayats lands a short left hook before ducking out of the way of returning Newton fire. Zayats tags Newton with a clear right cross, then another one. Newton opts to take the fight to the canvas, putting Zayats on his back and hammerfisting away from full guard. Zayats tries to turn for armbars but the Californian just punches through the attempts. Zayats shrimps to the fence and uses the cage to get back to his feet, but Newton gets double underhooks and almost slams him to the mat. Zayats blocks the first elevation attempt, then rolls through the second, nearly landing a guillotine choke. Newton is bullish, running Zayats back into the fence, turning the corner and punching away from behind. Newton keeps trying to sink his arm under Zayats' chin in pursuit of the no-hooks rear-naked choke. Newton boxes Zayats ears on the floor until the Russian gets back to his feet just to hear the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton

Round 2
Wild right hands from both tournament finalists sail wide of their targets. Newton creeps forward slowly on Zayats but can't land clean with his sudden bursts of punches and kicks. “The Hardcore Kid” unloads a spinning wheel kick that is not in Zayats' zip code. It's a more tentative, stalking start to the second round and when the fighters to throw punches, they're not landing clean if at all. Heavy feinting from both fighters. Zayats slips in a left cross to the kisser and Newton can't follow up after clinching. Newton continues to flash crescent kicks and the like from the outside but can't put his mitts on Zayats. Zayats lands a right hand that rips Newton open above the left eyebrow and then drives him to the canvas at the bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Zayats
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Zayats

Round 3
Newton throws a left body kick and eats a Zayats right hand. The American works his way into the clinch, pressing Zayats' back to the cage, punching to the body and trying to drag him to the mat. A tiring Zayats grabs onto a headlock briefly before Newton frees himself. Newton trips Zayats to the mat for just a second, but the Russian gets to his feet and breaks away from Newton's grip. A head kick from Newton clips Zayats but the overhand right directly behind it drops him on his seat. Newton dives on the Russian quickly, nearly locking up a bulldog choke in the process, but Zayats twists out of it and gets back to his feet. Newton switches to southpaw briefly, then back again, just investigating potential kicking attacks on Zayats. Newton jabs, turns sideways while eating a Zayats counter and tries to rip him with a spinning back fist like he did to Mo Lawal. Zayats shoots a double-leg takedown then switches to a single, but Newton is back to his feet as soon as he touches the canvas. Under a minute left to fight. Newton lands two left roundhouses to the body then eats a Zayats cross. “The Hardcore Kid” opts to play it safe, dragging Zayats to the mat. The Russian nearly locks up an armbar, but Newton escapes and punches away until the final bell.

Jordan Breen scores the round 10-9 Newton (29-28 Newton)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round 10-9 Newton (29-28 Zayats)
Mike Whitman scores the round 10-9 Newton (29-28 Newton)

Official result: All three judges -- Don Balas, Richard Davis and Mike Ross -- score the bout 29-28 for the winner by unanimous decision and the winner of Bellator's Season 8 light heavyweight tournament, Emanuel Newton.