Re-Air | Bellator 274: Gracie vs. Storley | Bellator MMA

martial arts a combination of multiple disciplines Blended together to form the most grueling and explosive full contact fight sport in the world compete in today's MMA a fighter must be well-rounded and possess a diverse skill set in order to reach the Pinnacle and while striking spawns devastating Knockouts and jaw-dropping moments ground fight that has provided the true foundation of the sport and at its core grappling arts like wrestling and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu have proven to be the most successful [Applause] tonight two world-class practitioners of their respective disciplines meet in the Bellator cage one man a second degree black belt proudly carrying on the tradition of Excellence established by the first family of BJJ the other a six-time state champion and four-time Collegiate All-American who aims to prove that wrestling has become the true path to MMA greatness tonight's Main Event fits Neiman Gracie against the Logan storm Sterling in a battle for ground gang Supremacy [Applause] thank you situated in the foothills of Southeastern Connecticut along the banks of the Thames River the massive Mohegan Sun Casino and Resort is where Bellator 274 will culminate with the main event with massive title implications in the welterweight division it's Bellator mma's first five round non-title fight oh yeah we've got five on it with number four ranked Naaman Gracie goes up against the fifth ranked Logan story while the surname Gracie is synonymous with submissions in his most recent fight last September Gracie garnered his first knockout he credits his striking coach Muay Thai Maestro Rafael Cordero with helping to take his striking to the next level Starley put up a brave fight against Gerald slab amasoff and stormy's lone setback prior to Amazon's Ascension to the 170 pound Throne while wrestling is what launched orley's journey to mixed martial arts his striking skills honed under the tutelage of Henry hoofed have punctuated the pound in his ground and pound attack hello there alongside Big John McCarthy I'm Moro Ronaldo it's presidents Dave long weekend here in the USA and we could witness the longest non-title fight in Bellator MMA history hey as the president of pundits give us your take on going five rounds for non-title Main Events and then of course give us your breakdown of Gracie versus storley well as a fan I love the five minute rounds I think it's five five minute rounds it's great as a fighter not so much if you're Logan story you're looking and saying I've got 10 extra minutes that I have to deal with a guy that is a submission Master a guy that can put me out that fast that is not an easy thing to deal with if you're naming Gracie you're looking saying I have to go 10 extra minutes with a guy that's a grinder is always after you is always on top and has heavy ground and pound that can damage you you're taking a look at the dynamic side of Gracie versus the brutality of Logan story and of course going on in the welterweight Division coming up May 13th in London your slab Amazon will defend the title against Michael Venom page we'll also see the former three-time Champion Douglas Lima against Jason Jackson so plenty on the line in the main event tonight and speaking of the welterweight division the co-feature sees former 170 pound champion Andre korskov colliding with chance renkounter who was looking to make the most of his second chance with the promotion Georgie caraunyan and Adam piccolotti will meet in a matchup of battle-tested veterans who are hoping to bounce back after both took the first letter in lightweight in their last assignments well after his life unraveled due to Addiction in the Myriad personal issues that come with it fan favorite Brennan Ward now one year sober returns to competition for the first time in four and a half years against Brandon Bell at a contract weight of 175. and the Bellator 274 main card begins with a top 10 heavyweight battle between the undefeated Davion Franklin ranked eight and the ninth ranked Saeed Soma who is seeking his third straight Triumph man Davion Franklin is just a monster this guy is explosive and has ungodly power heavyweights have power and then there's guys like Davion Franklin they're just scary science Soma he's like the hybrid in the in the heavyweight division this is a guy who's got a gas tank he comes after you he starts slow and he keeps building in his fights he uses great leg kicks great wrestling defense and he just keeps flowing to the point where he drowned you in the fight he does have power but not the power of a guy like Franklin that is rare and we all know John that you have the finger on the pulse of the tail of the tape so let's get to those numbers I'll just take a look at this 262-4 Davion Franklin he lost weight to get there lost a little bit more than he wanted 243 that's that hybrid wait for Saeed this is a big time fight for both guys it should be fantastic we are set for the official introductions take it away Michael C Williams ladies and gentlemen good evening and welcome to melaton MMA tonight from Mohegan Sun Arena live on Showtime the heavyweights are leading it off here at Bellator 274 as we get set for three five minute rounds we introduce first the blue corner at six foot weighing in 243 pounds even his professional record eight wins two losses originally from Suriname he fights out of Coconut Creek Florida presenting Soma [Applause] and across the cages adversary fighting out of the Red Corner at six foot three weighing in 262 and three-quarter pounds The Undefeated professional brings four victories without a defeat from Chicago he fights out of Albuquerque New Mexico of day Davey Franklin at the referee in charge of the action Dan Murphy wow all day Davion Franklin 4-0 with three Knockouts are you ready sir all right let's go gentlemen all right so much eight and two with five knockouts [Music] when you watch Davion Franklin you watch for the explosion when he decides to go and he starts Landing shots he has huge power there's not many people the heavyweight division that have more power than Frank all three of his wins via KO have come in the first frame three KO wins have totaled four minutes and three seconds his four-fight winning streak at heavyweight the second the longest acting streak here in Bellator MMA behind Steve mount Franklin on the attack in the opening minute this is one of the things that we wanted to see out of Davion is Davion when he gets excited he goes and he'll empty the tank he needs to be very relaxed very calm throughout this fight and you can see that little shot it got Soma's attention he's taking his time so very smart and very educated by Damian Franklin to talk about Steve Mowry with the sixth consecutive wins beat Soma in looking to survive the onslaught of Franklin as Franklin goes right down the middle with another piston-like right hand Davion doesn't know how to throw anything with not bad intentions when he throws there's everything he has behind it most of the time he needs it just think about touching sight take his time like he is which is very impressed right now because he's very young in his career he's only 4-0 two heavyweights representing heavyweight camps Franklin working out of Jackson Wing Kevin May in Albuquerque New Mexico Soma representing American top team in Coconut Creek Florida [Music] [Applause] ability to detonate a bomb and end things quick midsection of Soma Soma coming forward Salman just keeps on building in a fight he normally starts off pretty slow it's one of the things that we've talked about he had to he had the fast knockout against Ronnie Marks most of the time he takes his time but he does continue to build in the fight Franklin wanting two as he put it silence the haters who have slid into his DMS and you you think I mean what have you done for me lately the guy is 27 years of age has had four professional fights three Knockouts and give the guy a break uh you know you don't worry about those things it's it's so but it's interesting that it appears at times that he he is worried about it and that someone should be worried about his attack he saw what I was talking about you saw the intensity of what he decided to go it's everything and that's what Syed someone just needs to try to weather the storm slow him down do exactly what you're doing right now try to make his arms heavy but you cannot accept one of the big shots from Davion Franklin Heavy Artillery from all day Debbie on Franklin who like so many individuals who find themselves in the cage or ring has had to overcome so many obstacles and now looking to pass what on paper is his off his test of what is a burgeoning MMA career here against side soba and Davey how Franklin decides to go scary man you just look at the intensity of what he's throwing with guys some shots of his own right hand the right kick was caught by Franklin so Franklin now nice little right hand by Soma and under a minute now remaining in the opening round and again at this weight class John energy the conditioning the way you expend said energy that's the one thing about Syed he does it backing them up who looks to change levels now with the body lock very very good body lock position by David L Franklin but you see the overhooks by Solomon what he's trying to do is just put weight on those arms he wants to make them heavy we talk about conditioning well Soma started swimming at the age of five at a very high level so he is probably able to go into deep Waters of course Franklin has never been brought to those set deep Waters Well he kind of has if you go into his one fight with Raz Hilt that it ended up in a technical Museum corrected you're right and a lot of people there though talked about his conditioning in that fight and it was a teaching moment for him as well absolutely good job [Music] have a seat Mr Franklin all right I need some big deep breaths from your boss big deep breaths it's like simulations go back to simulations remember how we did that here's some water take a drink whenever you want okay that was a great round great round you won that round but listen you've got to be a little more disciplined with your punch combinations you're hitting them and watching your work okay throw your combinations get your air back throw your combination he's going to come out this round and try to take over you don't let him take over you understand me hence the nickname Yoda for Frank Jackson so smart what he says here's what Damian going after so you see him just getting out of the range took one left hand right there but overall see a lot of Big Air being swung out and hit by Davion he's not hitting that Target and it's where this is what Greg Jackson was just talking about I need you to stay calm stay relaxed and don't worry about the one one shot just keep touching him Jackson wants Franklin disciplined all day to begin round two and again swinging wildly yes you look momentarily there at John's unofficial scorecard to how did you score the first five minutes and why I agree with Craig Jackson I thought David R Franklin won that round he landed the shots not all but you know the kicks and everything he just had the better round from 10-9 zoma currently taking computer science classes goal to become a video game designer would love it if Franklin resorted to fight matching and emptying his power bar but he would love to maybe lure Frankling into an opportunity to test his defense but not into a firefight you just want him to again deplete his resources fast that jab just knocks over back and that's the power of it that Franklin has but Greg Jackson was completely right look someone's going to start to press on this and he's going to start to try to take this over you can't let him do that you're seeing that Soma is actually starting to stand more in the center of the cage with him this is exactly what he does in every fight he just starts to take over what is the one area and so much Arsenal that could prove to be the Kryptonite for The Undefeated Franklin his leg kicks he's got very good leg kicks lower cap kicks continues to go back at him just little shots like that not all over hard you saw that one right there with the right leg and he's just a very smart and composed fighter who doesn't get flustered he doesn't get out of control he's always just right where he needs to be so in the words of Nas Soma with more kicks than a baby and a mother's stomach and uh we're almost at halftime in terms of the clock here under three minutes left here in the second round and Soma and Franklin in the center of the cage and there's a kick from Franklin up the middle measured jab from Soma avoids the right hand from Franklin but notice who's starting to go on his back foot this is what Saiyan does over and over again the big shot like that he just took two good shots and with each and every blow the crowd roaring in anticipation of the amount of damage that could take place and set Low's land if those blows land they can they can definitely take away anyone's consciousness a game of inches of MMA going on between Franklin and Soma along the fence and just a little micro battles that need to be waged John in order for Success well Saeed Soma is fighting the exact fight that he needs to to win this he needs to wear on Davion he's not as strong as Davion he's not as fast as Dave young but he is a smart fighter at smart fighters to do well when they can control the fight and that's what he's starting to do throwing everything with bad intentions loading up on everything and of course when you load up on shots you definitely spend a lot more energy John and that's the one thing you know even talking with them we talked and said you don't need the load up you don't need to hit someone hard just touch if you're just thinking about touching your touches will definitely knock people out you know sometimes he does just load up so much and you go there's no need for it he needs to get under control bass twitch muscle fiber athlete [Applause] Franklin unloading so much clinching doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine why you know you want to feature a heavyweights you like to throw down to kick off a main card John especially ones that throw at the intensity of Davion oh nice job Franklin on top switch to the hips by Davion Franklin he's watching back a little sloppy in the strike it and now beginning to slow down a bit as the second round comes to an end in This heavyweight tilt [Music] [Applause] maybe I'm going to the wrong Corner though hey excited say so what's on your back what's your back who has an amazing fight IQ when it comes to all facets of course a decorated wrestler who had uh a good mixed martial arts career to overcome so many injuries borderline not greatness if the brakes would have gone the right way but I think he has found his element here as a coach oh he's fantastic he's a coach and in that list I work with him with Invictus diagnosis so he's a fight nerd and it just is you know that's what I love talking with him because he is just a guy that loves the fight game here's some more of the kick just out of range but he does hit with that left hand but there there's your big difference it's those moments Franklin Landing one good shot there and then Austin take down ends up in the top position third and five final round between undefeated heavyweight all day Davion Franklin and the eight and two Syed Silva and on your scorecard Big John what does the round determinants tattooing Franklin with some shots Franklin coming back you have summer having to well deliver more strikes like that it could be that the second round went to Sullivan I'm going off of what Debian was able to land as far as the couple things have had the big Power because there wasn't a whole lot of volume from either so they're pumping Up the Volume no early here yes they are and I think both guys do need to go after and win this swinging a Miss that's the that's what Davion has to stop doing don't go for that big home run shot all you got to do is touch don't rub it in on the Baseball fans who are watching and we look at the work of Soma and this is when you're looking at someone a lot of those are the little kicks to the inside of the leg outside of the calf yeah so Franklin's had a lot of mind-catching shots [Music] here we go Ryan Bader recently defending the heavyweight Crown against Valentin moldovsky and here we have the number eight ranked Davion Franklin against the number nine ranked side Soma Soma a little salty about the uh the rankings and uh you know that Franklin would love to well welcome Sultan said wound as the fans Mohegan Sun Arena getting a little restless with the wrestling they haven't heard a lot of usually is pretty fast about not allowing guys to be clinched against the caves that long so we'll see what he does with this but saeed's doing some work he's actually working it for legs bringing the knees up into the midsection and he's looking for the takedown we'll see if he can get it let's go one place on the other one maybe I'm trying to fumble in there he gets that underhook is able to turn the position but Sullivan's able to turn him around now and this is where we talk about the powers gone for the most point as far as it starts out it's much stronger now a little fatigue sets in it's a different story Franklin Looking to go the aerial group that's what he should be just fixed up go back to that Jab that jab is money for him because when he throws it out it's fast and he has a good accuracy with it he's heard so much yellow works the 11. I know the fans would love it if they turned it up to his final tap 11 in terms of the offensive output John especially in this Division and they seem to have the energy with them the fainting and now the detonating and frankly missing with the kick Franklin talked about it you know he's been running a lot trying to avoid the punches but not throwing any back in back Imaging finish it about he's been running a lot control he's tired no doubt but he's in this fight and it's not like he's slowing down that was a big energy dump you just saw with him going after someone right there but he's in this he needs to get that underhook division always one punch away from really changing your fortunes and moving up and again the number eight rank Franklin number nine ranked Soma wanting to make a statement and a final minute to do so the one that you would like when you see Davion in that clinch position and he breaks off and throws that looping Haymaker you're right inside there throw the elbow you're that's good accurate right hand from Soma gets enough energy to jump and Soma keeps him taxing the runway while he kicks him from even doing that and the crowd again [Applause] very nicely done if he can pull this position it's going to help him good job by saying something to work his way back to his feet Yes wow nice sequence for both parties final seconds of the heavyweight fight it was advertised as Franklin's toughest test proving to be so John it's close how do you rate this one how do you happen yeah I'm telling you man it's gonna be this could go either way it just depends on what you know the judges were giving credit to Davion obviously landed the bigger shots the volume and the little dinks and dunks they were all done by seed so it goes where what are they going to give credit to the most of Egypt from their respective performances ah positive by David Franklin your cardio the fact that your cardio was up and that you were able to go three rounds with a guy like saying Soma the way you did outstanding job if you're saying Soma your ability to help control the fight against a monster is amazing first thing on the drawing board when they go back to camp for each of them improvements for Franklin very simple control don't try to get those home run shots don't get out of position but you and your power all you got to do is touch someone with Saeed I need to bump it up I need to get going faster all right hey there are Monumental Stakes at play on Showtime weather in the Bellator MMA cage Wall Street or Silicon Valley comes to Michael Prince Capital what you've done before today is not my concern that's the way of the gun you're okay with it the gun doesn't care what I'm okay with the billionaire class they're a Scourge I'm gonna get him where they live I come to take what is mine he won't stop till he gets what he wants I can't lower my rifle I don't go to war that way I just go to work my name is Travis I am the founder of uber contrary to what you might have read I'm not a monster [Music] he is bold and uncompromising is this legal grow or die you need to start listening to the people that help build this company [Applause] it's always go time on the show time as the first Bellator 274 main card bout is in the books and the numbers the fight stats for this heavyweight encounter they are in favor of Syed Soma will the decision be in his favor let's go to Michael C Williams ladies and gentlemen having gone the distance we'll go now to your three judges at cage side your first Michael murtha scores the fight 29-28 he sees the fight for Franklin your second judge Dave Hagan 29-28 he sees the fight for Soma your third and final judge at Cave side Brian Miner scores the fight 30-27 seeing it for the winner by unanimous pardon me Split Decision all day day beyond Franklin an incredulous Syed Soma but highly competitive bout that ends via Split Decision victory for the now 5-0 Davion Franklin who is going to be talking with Big John McCarthy I mean with your winner Davion Franklin Davion the first thing I want to say is you scare me you are so explosive and you go so hard when you decide to go it is impressive as far as how fast you are for a big man that's something that a lot of big guys don't have you were trying to take his head off did you tell yourself to slow down during that fight oh yes I did yes I did when you got to the point where you lateral drop near the end were you thinking that's the kind of thing you needed to win this fight you know I was just trying to get him off of me I know he wanted to help me I guess if he has to finish our time happy more so I know what to figure something out there get him off me that's a big win in the heavyweight division who do you believe you should face next in the cage uh I would like to fight Linton sell next uh sometime over the summer give me enough time to continue to correct some errors I made tonight sounds like a great thing to me congratulations on a very big win ladies and gentlemen give it up for The Undefeated Davion all day Franklin learning curve continues for all day Davion Franklin passes another test this one a a tough exam against Saeed Soma but Jackson wink MMA came up with the winning recipe and Davion Franklin remains undefeated let's now say hello to Amanda Guerra at the flight desk Moro thank you so much what a way to begin the night yes two-time World Champ Josh Johnson here on the bike desk uh Franklin is now 5-0 he went pro in 2020 said he was working on his cardio definitely winded at the end of that but said he told us this week I want people to take me more seriously I think they will up to that have you ever seen a heavyweight run 15 minutes he just fought for 15 minutes of course he's winded what do you expect and he deserves to be congrats he I thought he fought a smart fight a lot smarter fight than a lot like a lot of people were giving him credit for his fight IQ improved in this fight I thought he fought it very smart and educated fight in terms of he picked his opponent apart John talked about he overextended sometimes but he did a great job tonight yeah he did congratulations to him still undefeated with Bellator and in his pro career all right guys it's time to talk about our next fight if things are about to get a little loud in here this is the reason why Brennan Ward versus Brandon Bell Brennan Ward is from kinetic hit he has not been in a cage since 2017. he battled major drug addiction he overcame that we get to see him fight tonight because he decided to fight for his life I think it's important for a lot of people to know what I went through and like where you can get to you know because dude I thought there was no hope my name is Brandon Ward fighting at Whaling City Athletic Center you know there was a lot of speculation a lot of rumors about you know me and what I was dealing with you know on uh behind the scenes team going hard for it full guard and he did it ten minutes because I threw my career I threw my career away with because of drugs man I was partying it's real hard since 2015. 2016 was bad 2017 was bad I asked my question do you ever think about stepping back and resetting you know nope yeah sure yeah I mean that's that's Brandon man you know when when you when you do drugs the way that I did drugs like a lot of people die a lot of people die [Music] it was important for me for myself to get back and improve myself that hey man but you can get back to where you were John McCarthy steps his right hand right to the jaw he is out before he hits the ground so you already know that this fight is not leaving the first round facts facts [ __ ] you know me dude I don't do the glorified sparm did I go out there and I can throw Haymakers and I throw these in my head but a right hand puts Olson on his back and this one is over Brennan ward has done it again feel good I feel like 2022 be a good year man good year so like to tune in because you're gonna see a knockout or me soup like somebody you've not seen Brennan warded cage since 2017. he dealt with major drug addiction he was in and out of jail and we get to see him fight tonight yeah one of the biggest takeaways from this though is that you've got to learn to love yourself first and do it for yourself and I think tonight he's doing it for himself he said that I want to prove to everyone but I also I want to prove it to myself that's the most important part you know his daughter was in the fighter meetings and she was just tearing it up she was the center of attention absolutely adorable but you could see the way he interacted with her the way she was with him I'm telling you I think he's he definitely is on the right path that's not a question but it just it was nice to see the energy he brought the excitement and he's ready he's ready for tonight okay regardless of what had happened and we're not going to take away from that because it was absolutely incredible for him to be here tonight this is the fight he's got to step into that cage and go up against Brandon Bell what do each of them have to do to get the win or just set it up for us well Brenda's all he's got to do is just be himself go out there throw Big Shots be be uh like be concise with his striking don't overdo it in the beginning for the crowd uses wrestling his opponent just needs to come out and let it go because he has nothing to prove like the crowd is for here he has a chance to silence the crowd and let everyone know he's arrived as we mentioned Brennan Ward from Connecticut a lot of people here to see him tonight in the building tomorrow we'll send it back down to you thank you very much Amanda fan favorite Irish Brennan Ward hoping to rewrite his narrative now one year sober he battles Brandon Bell in a contract weight of 175 pounds yeah and now to make his way to the cage the Juggernaut Brandon Bell [Music] 37 year old Brandon Bell comes to the Bellator MMA cage for the second time 10 wins four of them via knockout two via submission and was successful in his Bellator MMA debut but that was a long time ago in fact almost as uh long as uh his opponent has been out of the cage just about like when you're talking about the opportunity here for Bell this is exactly what Josh has talked about you're coming into his hometown you're coming into his area but you can silence the crowd because they're all expecting something big and you can be the proof you could be the one to prove them all wrong he says he's just a small town boy from Kentucky that used to run a roof Bolton in the coal mines that decided to chase his dreams he wants to ruin Brennan Ward's dreams of a successful comeback and now making his way back to the cage Irish [Applause] [Music] [Applause] wanted to give Brennan Ward an opportunity to soak up the cheers of music to his ears John after everything that he's been through you know fighting in a cage one of the most dangerous things that you can do as a human being where you find out the truth but this man has already won the fight of his life but there is something to be said about trying to do what he's doing at this stage of his life this is the easiest thing that Brennan Ward's done in the last couple of years with what he's gone through this is nothing well we are set for this contract weight 175 pounds the numbers John real simple it is a 175 pound contracted weight that is for both guys to come in here healthy and strong we're gonna see who can get the best of who here's Michael C Williams Predator MMA live on Showtime Now features three five minute rounds and a contract weight of 175 pounds introducing the blue Corner first at five foot eight weighing in 173.8 pounds he is professional record 10 and 10 he fights out of Harlan County Kentucky the Juggernaut Brandon found [Applause] and across the Cage's adversary fighting out of the Red Corner at five foot ten weighing in 174.8 pounds the former Bellator middleweight title Challenger returns to the cage with 14 professional victories six defeats from New London Connecticut introducing I RIS [Applause] [Music] [Applause] in charge your referee Dan emergency all right here we go [Applause] the job is to remain impartial hard not to get goosebumps after that reception for Brennan Ward back in the Bellator cage for the first time in nearly four and a half years well the same goes for his opponent Brandon Bell Ford looking to ring bells Bell John here in the opening seconds of the fight the guy's been in there with Brenton Ward many times this guy's got power in both hands he's got an outstanding wrestling has got the full package he just has to be the real Irish friend anymore he's only been to the judges once in 20 previous fights and now Brandon Bell with a barrage of blows right uppercut off the left arm of Bell but they are going at it at Close Quarters no feeling out process Bell looking for the naked shoot defended by Warren Mike Fred and Bill going after himself kind of stuck his head into bass place but he's gonna be all right but he's going after Brendan that's what he needs to do here [Music] you know for a guy who's inflicted a lot of you know self-lo blows here he is fighting having to overcome so much well overcome a little more Mr Ward yeah that one hit right on the uh the spot so Brandon did not mean that he's coming in the guy's a little bit taller and stuff so you know unfortunate Brennan will get time to recovery he should take as much time as he needs and do you know Brennan Ward will not take much time at all his two-year-old daughter Gabe a new to his life from drug addict to apparently prioritizes child's life above all else and that's who he's looking to feed and support with his fists and his will Brendan just needs to keep going back to that Jack his jab is lighting Bell up and he just needs to sit down on it and just keep snapping it up Brennan Ward seek and destroy mission Bell looking to take ward off his feet beautiful John byward to take the back and now drilling bell with a series of left hands listen to the crowd well means the more of these days here's in trouble the crowd on the verge of exploding John as red and Ward explains with his strikes [Music] had a lot of heavy shots you can see Brad Bell is now cut [Music] foreign turning Brandon Bell into a bloody mess Midway through the first round [Applause] nice job like Brennan he's not a real Smith guy even though he'll go for it but he is big with his power on his shots his grounding pound is ruthless very smart look notice how he's just picking his shots he's not just going crazy he's got one leg Turk on the ride keeping his balance trying to get his other hook in now he's got it foreign s up in the air he's in deep trouble now you see Brandon Bell holding that one wrist it's not going to do him any good 16 of his previous 17 fights have ended in two rounds or less it is still round number one great job by Brandon Belden to build that base back up oh no brutal shot another one by Ward to the body of bell his mouthpiece gets knocked out of his mouth but he was hurt right there got a break but damn giving him that mouthpiece back when or lose you would never expect less than a barn burner when Irish Brandon ward has tour and then MMA looking to make up for lost time [Music] who was looking for the takedown he was he ran right into that Brennan gets back to that position he just needs to go to the body you cannot question the heart of Brandon Bell either he's here to win man he's fighting hard he's taking a lot of heavy shots all right we got 40 seconds 40 seconds it is 16 fight for Bellator MMA Brennan Ward looking to keep his perfect record intact when it comes to finishes looking to finish the first round in dominant position perhaps looking to finish Brandon Bell before the Bell latinum out again Bell is able to build back to his base on his knees Brendan needs to flatten him back out again [Music] first round couldn't have gone better for Brennan Ward huh [Applause] you're good you got that water look at me you're good yes look at you're piecing him up that left jab right there was money for Brennan Ward when he was going back to that jab it was accurate and it was damaging look at the big uppercuts here Bell has to shoot on him he's taking too many shots you see Brendan coming around and just starts unloading he opens him up mouthpiece comes out and then goes back to work Big Shot ends up eating a big knee when he Dives in here for the takedown right okay all right let's go gentlemen wore off the thigh if it was the needed hit might have put him out okay [Music] [Applause] Brandon Bell able to answer the bell for round two after the offensive Onslaught Irish Brennan ward in the first five minutes this is the second round and a dominant opening round results in a dominant scorecard is Big John McCarthy gave him around 10-8 as Ward goes looking for the body blows and he continues to tattoo Bell and has his back and again raining down the roof and Bella's dog he is tired he got here with the body shot good job [Applause] the fans and the Mohegan Sun Said Knock You Out Irish Brennan Ward welcome back to Bellator MMA his streak continues John yet to hear the judges scorecards in any of his Bellator MMA boats and when you think of everything he's had to overcome incarceration addiction there was a time period where he was traversing the country using burner phones so his loving family could not track him down that's how much the disease of addiction had on Brennan Ward and yet here tonight for his two-year-old daughter and for his Legion offense but most importantly for himself he returns and he returns a winner he just was he's in that position he can't lose he's been he's been to the bottom and so this is nothing to him take a look where he comes in here that jab right hand but then he starts attacking the body nice body shot there you see the hands so high on Brandon Bell and I don't blame him but that opens up the body and as soon as he hits the ground look he gave everything he had you got to get Brandon Bell credit he came here to fight he just was overmatched by a guy that was on a mission and that mission was a successful one but the battle endures on a daily basis and for bread and Ward 33 years of age first time in four and a half years the prime years may be gone but against a valiant effort from Brandon Bell Brennan Ward returns to the Bellator MMA cage Victorious let's go to Michael C Williams winner by TKO Irish [Music] here's Big John McCarthy foreign Brandon you have been to Hell and back so how close to Heaven does this crowd seem to you tonight after that win oh man oh man thank you hey hey everybody everybody here everybody who came out thank you I got I got support from every you know every aspect of my life man I know I got my union Brothers in here I know I got my union Brothers in here 326. I got my coach my two coaches right there they've been with me through all this whole roller coaster man you know in my family my girl my daughter my parents my sister everybody and you know what I came here tonight for myself and I came here tonight to show the world that yo you can go to [ __ ] hell and you can come back and you can come back you can come back you did come back and you put on an impressive performance against a guy he was not good he did not want to go away your jab was on point your body shots near the end talk to me about how you felt in this cage after all that time over 1460 days away a lot of days man a lot of days away and uh Brandon Bell he took some shots man he took some shots I thought I was gonna knock him out and uh you know tough guy man and uh it felt good it felt good to be back I got I got a lot more to show and I got more to come and you know that you're gonna have to see me face a top 10 guy next you know you know it you know I have to so who's your that top 10 guy be you know I see a lot of these dudes in the top 10 I respect I know Scott Coker is going to pick me out somebody good test one of these young guys that you got test one of these young guys like I used to get tested when I was a young guy coming up I'm the gatekeeper now test one of these young test one of these young boys against me test one of these young boys right Brennan that was awesome coming back congratulations brother everyone give him up for Iris bread and Ward a special moment a special night for a special individual Irish Brennan Ward at 33. the self-proclaimed gatekeeper well he stormed the gates of the Bellator MMA cage and returned in successful fashion inspiration be thy name let's go back to Amanda Guerra Maura we so appreciated Josh that was incredible to watch I mean people at home need to know he borrowed his dad's truck to drive him tonight he hasn't been fighting he has been making a ton of money to watch that comeback tonight I mean there aren't really a lot of words to describe yeah you can see there was a little bit of jitters he was kind of forcing things a little bit in the beginning they sort of loosen it up and the combination started to come together and then everything just started flowing and he just started land on the jab which is stiff Jabs and the uppercut came the university great job by Brendan nice to see him return in this fashion yes we're very pleased keeper let's dial that back a little bit he's still a young boy I'm pretty sure you would call yourself the same a couple of times and we're not sure about that either all right uh switching gear is here still to come the main event tonight name and Gracie of the famed Gracie family going up against Logan story The All-American wrestler turned to fast rising MMA star Josh this is a major Clash of styles let's start with Naaman Gracie Jiu Jitsu Fina you point out he's come a long way to stand up he's got his first knockout the last fight I love to talk about that because he was so pumped up about it but what do you want to see from him tonight I want to see him be him I want to see what new tools he possesses I mean last fight he had a great knockout over lemongar but what it was was the elbow the uppercuts he set everything up perfectly on the feet he fought long he stayed composed okay look I could talk about his Jiu Jitsu all day as well but I want to talk about all the new stuff that he's doing okay we know he's a good Grappler we know he's got good position his wrestling is on point I want people to remember he was able to take down three-time national champ Ed Ruth for Penn State he took he got some takedowns on him as well he is one of the most well-rounded fighters in Bellator but he is I think and I still believe this he's the best Gracie to ever step foot in the cage yeah absolutely you told family member that tonight uh we'll see he doesn't love you saying that he doesn't want all the pressure uh but absolutely he is a very talented one his uncles and cousins to come after him there's just Gracie's all over the place here let's talk about Logan story though uh we know that he can wrestle but you point out he can't rely on that's all tonight no and he's not gonna rely on that he's got good stand-ups I just want to know if he's confident enough to use it when the going gets tough on his feet look he can wrestle the Dickens out of anyone I've said that several times tonight his takedowns are I think probably some of the best in the game it's for sure in Bellator like you I match him up like in terms of Aaron Pico and him so when I'm having this conversation when he gets this fight to the crown everyone look for him to do work he will land some nice grounding pounds some elbows he will stay tight all of those positions he is on point for tonight you just got to make sure he doesn't make too much space so that Neiman Gracie can start attacking the legs the knee bars the ankle locks all of those type of things like we saw he did namely Gracie do against John fish so I think he'll have a successful night tonight as long as he can let the jab go in the hard right hand and then stuff the takedowns or get the takedowns to control the top position we're inching our way closer to that it has been an incredible night let's talk about the next fight coming up Georgie carhanian versus Adam piccolotti here this is a match we've been waiting you see a couple times piccolate how to run a bad luck we're gonna get to that in a second but Georgie carohanian a seasoned vet 16 submissions 13 of those have come in the first round Josh he's comfortable at 155. what does Georgie need to do to get the win tonight way better at 155 I mean he went from 45 to 55 but it's not just that he understands where he's at right now in his career he's got big Power in his hands if he fights out of piccolati in a phone booth I think he's got a good chance if he gets if he gets in close can fight him in a clinch without being taken down I mean he is strong he's a lot better and more I think he's a lot better and stronger at 155. so if he gets to that phone booth position his power in his hands plus with the potential being on top against out of piccolotti you I've seen his transitions against keeper Crosby as you're seeing once he gets a hold of that neck the arming Guillotine the side chokes and on the back he is nasty he's extremely strong and I think he's got a chance if he can do that I don't know if people at home know this he's on an all carnivore diet he hasn't had meat in a bar excuse he hasn't had fiber in about two years just insane let's talk about Adam pickle out of here look you guys are from the same area you know him well you were running me through all of the injuries some of them a little bit of freak accidents that he's been through over the past year and a half and yet he is here tonight yeah this is the fight game but I know out of piccolotti very well he was one of my main training Partners when I was fighting and I was active then I kept coach him and then I even came in and kind of worked with him on the mint I even cornered him a couple times he's a stud of a fighter he's working at CSA now with Kieran and mccurion is a great kickboxing coach you see a lot of top kickboxers that come out of there so he's found a new sense of confidence on the feet but where his bread and butter lies is on the ground and he's got great wrestling he is sneaky good on the ground Benson Henderson found that out Sydney Outlaw found out the one thing about Adam piccolate is this in scrambles he will almost always end up on top when he does that he's gonna make you pay he's gonna put you in an uncut position where you transition to something and he takes a submission and he had what knee injury shoulder shoulder it goes on and on and on yeah knee into shoulder shoulder shoulder cut cut shoulder shoulder knee yeah we'll see if he's a little rusty but I doubt that tonight all right more we have a ton of great fighting ahead but we do want to shift it for just a slight second and send it back down to you for a special tribute thank you very much Amanda yes those of us in the martial arts Community are mourning the loss of two of its Brethren Bob Wall who started his martial arts education under Chuck Norris and is best known for playing one of Bruce Lee's foils in the 1973 film Enter the Dragon passed away January 30th at the age of 82. former kickboxing champion Tim Lane a longtime coach of the extreme Couture gym in Las Vegas passed away this month at the age of 49. all of us at Bellator MMA extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends Bellator 274 rolls on with a Crossroads confrontation and a lightweight division where everyone is angling to get their picture on a poster next to newly minted champ patrici Pitbull and now we welcome to the cage Adams [Music] [Music] [Applause] he's had a circuitous path to success has had some huge wins some big setbacks both inside and outside of the cage and here tonight 33 years of age at 12 and 4. taking on a guy in Georgie carohanyan who has been there done that so much at stake for both Fighters oh this is a huge fight for both guys Adam piccolotti coming off of like they were talking about a ton of injuries some things you know he's getting ready for a fight he gets cut just things were not going his way but this is a guy on the ground he is incredibly good and his stand-up under Karen Fitzgibbons at CSA they say he is at a different level and we're gonna find out tonight and you look at his four losses the names Sydney Outlaw Benson Henderson David Rickles goichi Yamauchi high level oh no don't pass away Georgie insane [Music] [Music] Georgie Cara hanyan as we mentioned been around the block in fact developed a Groove in the in the sidewalk there John and looking to get his groove on here at lightweight he is three and two since he moved up to 155 from the featherweight division but a guy with uh experience and then some he's three and two but all of those fights the ones that he lost very close fights he was in there to the very end his last fight against Sal Rogers in the end he just got a little bit out muscled he had to work really hard and everything but look at Georgie carohana this is its 45th professional fight and he has been fighting consistently and I think that is an advantage for him in this matchup with Adam piccolotti for those kids in the back he just said 45th professional fight as we go to the numbers the tail of the tape for this lightweight encounter take a look the one thing and Josh was talking about it Georgie needs to get in inside fighting the phone with 67.5 that is a short reach 71.5 isn't that much but it's an advantage that Adam possesses here's Michael C Williams here at Mohegan Sun Bellator MMA moves now to the lightweight division set for three five-minute rounds live on Showtime we introduce the blue corner at 5 foot 11 weighing in 155 and one half pounds here's professional record 12 wins four defeats from Half Moon Bay California Adam [Applause] and across the cage is adversary fighting out of the Red Corner at five foot eight weighing in 156 pounds even he brings a veteran professional record including 31 victories 12 losses one draw originally from Moscow Russia he fights on a Riverside California Georgie insane yeah in charge Kevin McDonald nicknamed insane by his own mother enough said rickellotti looking to set the record for most submissions of the Bellator lightweight division currently tied with goichiyamauchi Michael Chandler and Martine held at five as we begin round number one immediately delivered by karahanyan fighting out of Millennia MMA while piccolotti longtime student for Raul Castillo possesses a lot of power especially in that right hand and he lands it he will go to sleep so that's something right there there was that after and he told us John that he needs to stay a little more patient because he knows forcing the takedown but securing it in style but that is exactly what Adam piccolotti needs to do this is who you are yes you've been learning all kinds of new stand-up techniques at CSA but your base is the ground and this is where you need the fight to be and half of piccolotti's 12 victories have come via his superlative submission skills but against karahanyan doing a good job controlling piccolates posture really nice shoulder pressure there by Adam piccolate this is where Adam piccolate shines his top game his pressure on top is outstanding are you are you inferring that maybe Carolina could come down with a bad case of the Von flu it's a possibility you put your arm in the wrong spot one thing with Georgie Cara onion can never be guilty of is accepting well it's a lot of my positions like this against a guy like piccolotti he's trying to trim the sit he's trying to find a way to to alleviate the pressure yes he is piccolini doing a good job from top but when you've got a guy like piccolmati that understands the ground so well and he's so fluent at its movements you got to be very careful because we're gonna get opened up here he moves right back that's great shoulder pressure again and people look at that they think there's nothing there trust me that shoulder pressure is a lot on your breathing and everything it shuts it down [Music] right now George is in that position he's got to make a decision do I sit with what I'm doing and just you know end up losing this round or do I you know explode and try to get out which could put me in a bad position with a guy like piccolate a 17 wins via first round finish but being Up Down by Adam piccolotti who has three wins via first round finish as we near two minutes remaining in the opening round beautiful ground technique by both guys Adam piccolotti just slowly and systematically starting to pass the guard of Georgia car hockey you see Georgie trying to re-establish that guards so I'm tired to a just alleviate any damage that Adam can come up with a great job trying to get up and again out of piccolati knowing the grounds and that's the difference that that move right there would have got Georgie up against most guys and it speaks to the the quote that piccolini likes music is not the notes music is the space between the notes the way he applies that to fighting is that it's all about the transitions all about how you go from striking to wrestling and so forth and we're seeing his transitional work on this absolutely you saw Georgie trying to swing towards the armoire you saw Adam just he's hitting all the right notes he's right around moving with it just shutting it down oh little percussion a minute left in the opening round some ground and bound by picolotti trying to pass the guard if he does and trying to get the back of karahanya you know we saw Adam piccolati do this same thing with Benson Henderson first round of their fight and it was just all over Benson getting his backyard needs to take a page out of the Wu-Tang Clan play but Johnny protect the neck especially with piccolotti on your back all six wins via form a choke five via rear naked joke nice movement there by George that little slip got rid of that leg with 15 seconds left to the first frame a great opening round for the 33 year old piccolate [Music] putting in the work as we go to round two [Music] your takeaway from the first five minutes John you know my takeaway is Adam did exactly what he needed to do getting that fight to the ground being the guy that just controlled it from the top but the guy that could really tell you about this look at Josh Thompson trained with him he cornered him what Josh what do you think about what he's doing right now what what I loved was the way he caught that kick he learned that from Kieran Fitzgibbons the way he caught it and they made the transition and he pulled right in see one hand over the top one hand underneath pulled him right into the double leg beautiful lift to the takedown that is a Muay Thai style takedown to be honest almost an ensemble but um Sancho style takedown where he caught the kick you've seen Kun Lee guys like that use that type of takedown and when he got on top he did some work you know was able to like kind of open up the guard he wasn't able to pass Georgie's tough we all know that so this that was a great round but remember what happened in the Benson fight he started to slow down on the second Benson won the site he's got to keep focused for the second half all right out thanks [Music] Bell round two piccolotti telling us that even into his early 20s always considered the rut coming up that well helped him develop a mean streak and very aggressive when taking it to the ground and yes we've talked about the importance a huge right hand to the side of piccolotti's head and piccolmati took it and came back with a Punch Kick combination of his own piccolate was able to see that shot right at the end and gave that little tip of his head which took some of the steam off of it but that was a clean strike by Georgie piccolani has never been knocked out almost knocked down there by that karahanyan right hand and if you're Georgie Carhart coming into this round you got to tell yourself no kicks to the body if I'm gonna kick I can do it up high get his hands up high there's a body kick by piccolini but the left hand Arena [Music] thank you pick a body with the lead right hand that's what I was talking about you saw the kick come up high towards the head that's okay for George because the natural instinct is to move away from it back but hard to catch yes and then a half gone in the middle frame and just missing with that right half pick up pickled up with fire car onion seven knockout victories he has two when you're looking at this as a striking this is what you know Josh was talking about fighting a full moon he's actually doing well even fighting on the outside you see Adam is having problems that's why he's given the movement Adam is more of a volume Striker George he's the guy that possesses power that's what Adam needs to do in this fight that takedown is key to him winning and he immediately takes the back John and puts in the hooks looking for the secures the body triangle on Cara onion [Music] Victory may be disappearing here with piccolate working from dominant position had his chin turned to the side that kept that choke from being put in place but Adams is going to keep working the veteran karahanyan Georgia needs to put get that foot you see that figure four side just to that side the problem is when he goes to that side defense is right there [Music] shut up karahanyan has never been submitted John that's because he's outstanding on the ground as far as he understands exactly everything he needs to do to defend but in this position all that good work he did in the beginning of the round is now going away because he is nothing but a defensive fighter he's piccolate fully maximize his dominant position nor Zeke doing exactly what he's supposed to he's doing exactly what he's supposed to he's got that figure four in place it is tight it's taken away the air of Georgia car hunting and he's got lots of time pounding on him which would make Georgie make the mistake and open up that neck trying to control the wrist nope now has his arm protecting his neck but not for long what a battle and karahanyan desperately trying to keep from drowning here in the second round from this attacked by Adam piccolotti as you said Georgie has never been submitted and it's going to be hard for Adam to do it but all of this works he's just adding up to making the third round even better for him nasty elbow strikes rib cage right hand s [Music] putting it on Georgie karahanyan in the final 20 seconds of the second stanza Georgia Carhart is hanging tough and he's taking some big shots but acting like it doesn't bother him at all what's up lean right from fistic fireworks to jaw-dropping series the hits on Showtime you know they just keep coming I'm sending this message to explain what's happening the world is always going to judge us unfortunately for us we are in the world changing business supposed to be come with me [Music] thank you talk about this guy he's gonna try to go back to the ground again you know what time it is you gotta go [Music] he checks out [Music] we anticipated a grueling Affair and John carahanyan piccolati have delivered but karahanyan's going to have to deliver something dramatic here in round number three well he's gonna have to do something either Jenny Ty brown or finish Adam pick a lot because I have him down two rounds to none and in terms of Adam piccolotti and what he hopes to accomplish him what you think he needs to accomplish in order for him to continue rising in the pecking order and bouncing back from defeat well he's doing exactly what he needs to do he understands exactly what is going to make him successful and that is getting Georgie to the ground being the dominant ground fighter we talked about it at the start his Jiu Jitsu is fantastic and it is level level that he can control anyone in the fight the problem is he's got to take the right shot to get it there okay your onion moving flat footage is powering out with the jab not firing the minute gone here in the third round you can see George is trying to set up his right hand nice left hook by Georgie Adam needs to be very careful about moving to his left like he is right there he was moving backwards so it's okay but moved your left okay so bye Telegraph that takedown attempt and it's uh Cara onion attacking the neck butt piccolotti finds himself inside control but it's karahanyan who was forced to release the grip on piccolotti so here piccolotti pick the Galati did exactly what he needs to do in this fight take him to the crown when the opportunity presents itself and just ride him put him in effect awesome nice job by Georgia to get back up on the ground piccoloni has shown he has an advantage body kick again piccolate continues to attack the 36 year old frame of Georgie Cara hanyon talk about his tenure in mixed martial arts at a high level 17th broke out for Adam piccolotti and less than two and a half minutes remaining in the fight job putting a lot of pressure using that head all good work this is exactly what he needs to do he's controlling that wrist area of Georgie George is trying to go two on one there did not work Adam going more to a Muay Thai Plum even though he's got the underhook on that side to bring up the knee both looking to get back on the winning track George George he's got a nasty Guillotine So Adam needs to be very careful of having his head down there with Georgie Georgie's feeling it that's why he went for it 16 submissions including six Guillotine choke victories for Georgie carohana needs to be sure that he's able to control that hand it's taken a lot of the pressure off right now but it's hit tight very quickly he scored a guillotine choke victory in his lightweight debut against Paul Redmond to Bellator 240 in February 2020 but vicolotti is out of Harm's Way in terms of the submission but now on his back for the first time tonight first time tonight but you did a very good job Georgie finally you know knew he's got it he's got it blocked I can't get it let's break off let's try to do something to get a win with a huge advantage in terms of the striking stats now attacking Georgia going for the ankle lock oh God we talked about him having to do something dramatic beautiful defense back and piccolate on top positionally and in terms of the fight raises his right hand John you do you agree with his I do gesture I know why but I have to score I you know I have that piccolotti put on a beautiful performance of taking the fight to the ground controlling Georgia even in the third round you're looking and saying sometimes winning this fight but George has got that power that he could end up taking it away from him with just one shot I thought George did great in the third round he went for that guillotine was a good attempt he may have won the third round but the guy who gets the fight is at him and for Georgie carhagyan John you know for Georgie again this is that that fight where you look at you go he's that close there's things that are going on in it he had opportunities where he could have done really well but he was unable to land the shot that he wanted and he was taken down and controlled in the fight that's you know he's got to stop allowing you know guys to get him down but that's easy to say not so easy to do still competitive with anybody [Music] remote Adam piccolotti 13th fight in the Bellator MMA cage hoping to improve to nine and four against Georgie carrahanyan let's go to Michael C Williams ladies and gentlemen for the decision we'll go to your three judges at capeside your first Dave torrelli scores the fight 30-27 while judges Eric colone and Marcel Varela both seeing the same 29-28 I'll have it for the winner by unanimous add Georgie carrahanyan's name to the list of notable victories for Adam piccolotti hard fought and piccadotti getting back into the win column he says it we're back and yes he is back and improves to 13 and four overall let's go to Amanda Guerra Maura thanks so much congratulations to Adam piccolotti after almost a year and a half off so fiori is on done but March April and May are about to be absolute Bombshells in Bellator from overseas to the rematch we've all been waiting for take a look Friday night Bellator MMA returns to the three arena in Dublin Ireland for a world championship Showdown as middleweight King gegard Musashi defends his belt against undefeated number one ranked Austin Vander Ford then Saturday night March 12th it's on to St Louis for a battle between top ranked featherweights as Adam borage battles mads Burnell on April 15th from the sap Center in San Jose we shower you with a double Main Event undefeated featherweight world champion AJ McKee battles former Champion Patricio pitbull in a must-see rematch and the one million dollar light heavyweight world Grand Prix concludes as reigning Jam vadi nemkov defenses belt against Corey overtime Anderson May is a month of power not flowers when the Bellator cage heads to Europe for back to back World title clashes while Paris may be the City of Love on Friday May 6 there will be no love lost as heavyweight champ Ryan Bader defends his belt against France's Czech Congo in a championship rematch from the accor arena and the very next week at the OVO Arena Wembley Friday May 13th welterweight world champion Euros love Amazon puts his perfect 26-0 record on the line against London's own number one ranked Michael Venom page it's a glove-drecking Bellator MMA championship Extravaganza only on Showtime and welcome back here to the fight desk I was gonna say there's a little bling on the desk right now it is a lot of bling over there we have the current featherweight World Champ AJ McKee who will be putting that belt on the line in April against Pitbull this is the rematch man we have been wanting to see so I was listening to an interview with you this week and you said look a lot of people thought it ended early I'm ready to pick things up in the second round yeah you know we left off round one um he feels like it's our early stoppage or whatever he feels so uh let's start round two I'm looking out I'm looking forward to finishing round one yeah I thought you had a great performance but you came out with the fat I feel like the speed was gonna be a factor Big John and I have always talked about your speed and your power it's very rare that you see people that have that ability to have both of them in like that maybe they're fast but no power that was me okay with you you've got power and speed what do you think he's gonna do different in this fight um honestly this fight I feel like he's gonna come at me maybe try to wrestle a little bit but uh we'll see how things work out you know I'm looking forward to going in there and getting back to myself and going to be flashy AJ you know I've already I've conquered what I needed to conquer so now it's time to evolve and just add some new things to the game and show the fans what I've been working on so after that win though what have you how have you progressed since that fight oh man you know I'm just standing in the gym staying busy so it's been like what six seven it'll be six or seven months and uh I'm just looking forward to going in there and putting it on putting on another great show for the fans you know um the fact that he doubts that that first round was a easy finish or it wasn't supposed to be finished you know I'm looking forward to making sure this fight he never wants to fight me again so we're gonna put that stamp on it how different is it for you every time you walk in there you you know now you're the champion and you worked your way up you're undefeated still like when you walk into your gym every time all the guys in the gym like that's the chance you know a little bit man I'm I just try to set the example you know stay in there keep working hard and even when you win you know you find a lesson and uh there's always a lesson to be learned you know that's the that's Body Shop motto you know you got to find that lesson and evolve from it whether it's life or in that cage you know well you know a man and I are not going to let you get out here we don't need a prediction because that's not what we want Fighters gentlemen but we want to know how do you see this fight playing out tonight like in terms of their Styles contrast oh man let's see so for the main event I feel like Gracie's key is gonna be waiting till later rounds because obviously fighting the wrestler you know what you're subject to but at the same time he knows what to expect once he hits the ground so uh I can't really say who I'm going with honestly I I I'm a very personal person I don't like to pick sides but uh I like to kind of say which fighter should do what things and I feel like wrestling getting him to the ground is is a key so uh yeah we'll see how things play out they both have great strong suits wrestling and Jiu Jitsu you know it's been Battle of the years I need to know next time before you come up here it's bad enough Amanda makes me look bad every time I'm up here now I got two people up here making me look bad you guys are dressed in the deal we cannot help this now you look fabulous my friend yeah he's missing all the bling though uh I'm so new to about I appreciate I had not seen a Belgian person yet so I appreciate you bringing that up here when we toss it back I'm gonna take a closer look at that AJ Mickey congratulations on your success we cannot wait to watch you defend your belt I can't wait to do it it's gonna be a fun one all right that is AJ mckissa Bellator 277 going down Friday April 15th in San Jose all I'm saying is if you happen to be in the area we hope to see you in San Jose by the way that's Josh's Hometown uh he's gonna be out and around town we get McKee versus Pitbull 2 going into that last fight it was one of the most anticipated bouts in Bellator history Pitbull considered by many to be the greatest Bellator fighter of all time but it is AJ McKee who is still undefeated who has the belt now you heard him say I am going to put a stamp on that fight so he never wants to fight me again but it's not just that two belts are on the line April 15th Vadim ninkob set to defend his title when the Bellator light heavyweight world Grand Prix will reach its conclusion he will face Corey overtime Anderson has won seven of his last eight the winner does not just get the belt but one million dollars coming up next we have our Comey to event Andre greshkov versus chance we're encounter in this insanely talented welterweight division Josh will talk about kreshkov first a former world champion is a knockout artist he loves to put on a show for the fans what does he need to do to get the win tonight he needs to be himself he needs to go out there throw the leg kicks he's able to get the leg keeps going right away that'll open up the spinning attacks that'll open up his hands on the feet he is nasty he will throw everything in the kitchen sink at you flying knees boom right on the target he lands them almost every single time he comes out and he's super aggressive with that but let's not forget he's got great wrestling you got the great wrestling he's got the great top control his grounding pound is nasty so all he's got to do is just be himself let's talk about Chancellor encounter we know Phil Davis he was here on set with us earlier he's going to be in his Corner tonight uh he's a good wrestler Chancellor counter thinks he is a better wrestler thinks he is a better gas tank than qureshkov what do you think about what he needs to do I'm not sure about the gas tank but I believe in the wrestling it's probably equal or I might even give chance probably a little bit of the knot especially with him being out there a lot more with Phil Davis as of lately now what he can do in this fight is he can wait for course cop throw a spinning attack or a spinning back fist or over commit on some striking get the takedown if he can get the takedown and get to the top position his length and the ability to set in those darses the anacondas the Army Guillotine chokes The Guillotines period he's got a good chance of getting korskoff out there because if I'm gonna say of course cop has a weakness it's probably the submission game it's gonna be a good one Morrow we'll send it back down to you for our Firepower co-main event yes let's hope indeed it will be in Fuego as we continue with Bellator 274 and Andre korskov competing in his record 19th the Bellator welterweight felt welcomes back chance for encounter looking to make the most of his second chance in Bellator MMA right now to make his way to the case chance [Applause] in order for the Black Eagle chance went counter to soar in his return to Bellator what does he need to do John he needs to wrestle he needs to get to the point where he is wearing Andre Kors out and not being at that distance range where korskoff is so dangerous as a fighter I mean this guy has just got power he's got speed beautiful spinning attacks red counter has got to just stick to his wrestling he can be in the stand up with him for a while but always be looking for that table speaking of wrestling he will have in his corner Mr Wonderful Phil Davis former Bellator light heavyweight champion and noted wrestler in his own right kinda if I wanted to set you up oh my God I'm always teasing him I know you don't wrestle I know well the man can when counter's been wrestling as we mentioned for a long time and you feel that that will be his best path to Victory if he's able to utilize it absolutely look he's he's good in the stand-up he just doesn't possess the power that Cora Scott has he's more of a volume guy [Applause] call as mentioned corskov has competed in the Bellator welterweight division more than any other fighter in history former champion at 170 pounds earning a clear-cut five-round unanimous decision over Douglas Lima to earn the title back in 2015 but just over a year later Lima returned and stopped coruscav to reclaim the belt one of three title Reigns for Lima who will face the surging Jason Jackson May 13th in London the same night the Euros left Amazon defends the title against Michael Bennett mccorskoff is here to remind everybody hey remember me absolutely this is a guy that you know a lot of top talent looks at goes yeah I'll pass yeah this guy can fight and he can fight everywhere he when he is on he is just fun to watch wow he's a brutal barishna cop with his feet as we go to the tail of the tape for our co-feature here tonight in the welterweight division simply put you can take a look 24-4 for Andre korskoff 16-4 for Chancellor encounter this is a matchup of two guys that know how to fight they just go about it just a little bit different this is the voice of Michael C Williams live on Showtime Bellator MMA presents the cult main event of the evening three five minute rounds in the welterweight division introducing the blue Corner that's six foot two weighing in 169 and what half pounds in his Bellator return he enters with 16 professional victories for losses from Pawhuska Oklahoma chance Black Eagle encounter and across the cages adversary fighting out of the Red Corner at six foot one weighing in 171 pounds even the former welterweight world champion stands with 24 professional victories four defeats fighting out of homes Russia Andres Spartan Kors your referee Kevin McDonald behind the line please of course cops 14 wins in the Bellator welterweight division the most in divisional history ran counter eight and two in his last ten let's go returning to bellatorre McMahon saying thanks but no thanks in terms of touching gloves with uh korshkov doesn't want to get too close too soon yeah very nice one of the things that I think that chance needs to do though is exactly what you're seeing here he is not backing up he's either gonna make Coors cop back up or at least stand his ground when korshkov is coming forward he is a menace we're encounter proud to represent the Osage Nation reservation native of Pawhuska Oklahoma he gets dropped and chorus Gob on top and Taurus gov putting the K oh in his surname as he stops chance encounter early in one [Applause] I don't want to say that that is typical Andre korshkov but that is what we have come to expect the explosiveness of his attacks and especially those spinning attacks let's take a look at what happens here because a lot of people are going to be what happened he ends up Landing that spinning back kick watch where it lands right to the rib cage there chance is grabbing a hold of him but you can see the effect of that blow that is devastating I do not blame chance at all that thing landed wow where to the rib cage I'm sure it just separated the cartilage in the rib or possibly broke a rib that's why Chance is going down the way he is no way for him to stop that let's take a look at how fast this actually happened though we can get this real speed watch how fast that is a devastating blow and a huge finish as brilliant as it was brutal Andre korshkov crushing chance Ren counter in when counters return to Bellator and Batman we talk about the educated and violent feat of Andre korskov he records his 13th knockout Victory he approves to 25 and four and of course there is the former Bellator middleweight champion Alexander slimenko you talk about the Spin to Win well korskov he learned a thing or two about spinning attacks from the former Champion korshkov he's also a former champ who wants to send a message to not only whoever is on the receiving end of that FaceTime session but he wants face time with the best in the division let's get it to Michael C Williams ladies and gentlemen inside the Bellator cage it comes to an end suddenly 38 seconds into round number one the winner by TKO Andres Martin [Music] Spartan sparked Ren counter with that brutal spinning he'll kick right to the rib cage and now Big John McCarthy will talk to the victor boom I mean we talk about your spinning attacks we talk about how devastating you are that spitting back kick landed so cleanly to his ribs he actually got a hold of you and then just folded due to the pain Unbelievable finish it what we prepared it this this is a spinning back kick like a best traditional stone school well I'll tell you what that was a devastating blow you have been so good in this cage you are the guy has more welterweight fights than anybody else you have been the champion who is it you think you should be matched up with next to get you in position for another title shot hey Builder I know you prepare many tournaments in Europe and I know one guy uh same takes daily whole daily I won't kick his ass in London Paul Daly that is someone that is explosive in his own right I would love to see that after this win I think it's in May in London that's what you want he don't like wrestling like me and we show a great standing fight and I knock him out him sounds good to me ladies and gentlemen give it up for a devastating win by Andre korshkov Spartan versus semtek sign me up for What would most assuredly be an explosive encounter korskoff picking up his second knockout via spinning back kick he did it against Vaso bakosovich Bellator 203 in July of 2018 and tonight he does it again against Chancellor encounter Andre correskov he will not be content until he once again gets the opportunity to conquer the welterweight division let's go to Amanda again man he doesn't even look tired after that well we talked to Prescott this week and he said I want a voice to be able to call out my next opponent and Josh he got that opportunity tonight yeah he called out Paul Davis I would love to see that fight I honestly would love to see that fight Paul Daley said that he's I think his next fight he said it was pretty much his retirement fight that would be a great fight for all for all of us fans I don't know if Paul would like that fight but that would be a great fight I would also like to see him maybe fight Jason Jackson look people over Tim and that's a little bit of a problem because he's the former Champion I mean he is very very talented fresh cop this week said I'm in the top ten I want to remind people that I am in the top ten this is so good take another look at this what do you think about what we saw from he said I love to put on a show for fans and he did that what he saw was Chancellor encounter was keeping that lead hand out there so the ribs were exposed so what he did was he waited for a chance to reach a little bit more and then he did a spinning kick and then chance went in for the takedown you know when it lands clean because what happens is your body shuts down and when Chancellor encounter went for the body lock and it he wasn't able to lock his hands he went down and you see his course corner just explode with excitement because we know he has that in the bag every single time his opponents just haven't figured it out yet Andre likes to use the word spectacular and sure enough that is what we saw from him congratulations to him we'll see what Daley has to say about that call out there all right guys next Friday Bellator return to the Emerald Isle Dublin Ireland winning dream catcher Gengar Musashi defends his middleweight Crown against undefeated Austin vanderford that is next Friday live for Eastern one Pacific only on Showtime and then Saturday February 26 Showtime championship boxing presented by PVC hosts the charismatic the colorful the dominant 16-0 Chris Colbert meaning undefeated Hector Luis Garcia taking the fight in short notice someone's OS must go that is Saturday February 26th at 10 Eastern at 7 Pacific only on Showtime so those are great main events in Bellator and boxing but it is time for our main event tonight A Clash of Titans and Styles now we normally keep them separated big giant you're down at the cage Josh is here on set because you guys fight a lot uh you bicker so we're keeping you separate but we're gonna keep it together right now here and let's talk about the fights we have coming up tonight Josh I want to start with you and I want to start with Gracie and what he can do tonight I think John doesn't want to come up here he doesn't want all the smoke don't worry he don't want to come up here yeah I'll be up there soon it'll take you a while big guy um look Naaman Gracie he brings it all okay I can talk about his submissions all day long beautiful knee bar against John Fitch but that's not really what we're going to talk about let's talk about how he has gotten better well he fought lemonger his striking is on point and I've been saying it all night the uppercut the elbow boom right there that landed he is on point with his striking that Newfound confidence but John again tell you I think he breaks Logan's throw tonight if he's able to go ahead and get a takedown like we saw right here I guess three-time national champ Andrew I can't believe you even said that he breaks Logan story that is not gonna happen he is a great fighter I give you that and his Jujitsu is fantastic but it has been shut down before and it will be shut down again because Logan story understands the submission game I'm gonna point this out to you and make it very clear Josh Logan story is a guy that can put the fight where he wants when he wants that is a huge tool a guy that comes from a wrestling background like you that went to the Jiu Jitsu route knows that and so this is what makes Logan story so dangerous in the fight I agree with you that Logan story is extremely dangerous I think he's great on the takedowns I think he's great on top I believe I believe though it's going to be a good fight I just want to see how how do you think how do you think that his wrestling is going to be able to nullify Gracie's Jiu Jitsu I agree with you it's going to be a great fight but it is the wrestling that can be Dominic because he's the guy that's gonna decide where the fight is at all right guys thank you so much you behave very well thank you I think our boss Scott Coker hopefully he's watching this he's going to let us do this again uh as mentioned look this is a Clash of Titans house whoever win may very well get a shot at the title after this and we got a behind the scenes look [Music] hi John we talked about the main event here we have got BJJ Brazilian Jiu Jitsu one of the most traditional forms of mixed martial arts brought to mainstream competition by the Gracie family in the early 90s for years BJJ has been rivaled by good old American wrestling the foundation for many fighters in the sport today American wrestling was put on the MMA map by Pioneers like Dan Severn Don Frye Mark Coleman and Randy Couture and when you look at the Bellator roster it is loaded with Incredible wrestlers we're talking about guys like Aaron Pico Ryan Bader Phil Davis Austin vanderford Joey Davis all of these guys have been able to take their skills in wrestling and become world-class and then world champions in MMA and when you talk about great wrestlers guys like Don Frye Dan Severn and Ryan Bader we're talking about those three having one common denominator they all wrestled here at Arizona State University as I stand on this Pitchfork you can feel the greatness of the Sun Devils and the ASU wrestling program wrestling is very much about controlling someone being able to pin them to the ground and we take your limbs away your arms your legs and they can't move you come to Arizona State you can wrestle and become the best in the world world Olympic medals but you can also go down the other path which is becoming the best in the world in mixed martial arts and while American wrestling plays a huge part in the sport there are many people out there that believe that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is still the most dominant grappling art absolutely John the guy guys like hakfield Lovato Jr GOI Chao muchi even the Pitbull brothers and young stars like Lucas Brennan and Aviv gozali that is some great juice don't forget that the legend himself the guy that started the entire sport basically twice Gracie competed in the Bellator cage the grappling Arts are the foundation of MMA because the Gracie family started this it all is based off them challenging people challenging different martial arts and bringing everybody down to the ground and submitting them there so wrestling and Jiu Jitsu rivals in the grappling arts and we are lucky enough to see it on a regular basis and the real treat is one of the best wrestlers and the greatest BJJ practitioners square off and go head to head and that's the case tonight with BJJ royalty collides with all American wrestling that's right second degree black belt Naaman Gracie taking on four-time All-American six-time state champion Logan story I think in tonight's Main Event you got Logan Story I mean this guy's a four-time All-American and he's one of the true Elite wrestlers JJ has a hard time stopping wrestlers from getting to their legs and taking them down that's the one thing I see is when I'm watching Fighters that haven't wrestled they don't know how to protect their legs they know how to protect themselves from going to the ground and I just think Gracie's going to have a hard time with him tonight when a jiu jitsu a practitioner fights a wrestler you know that their control is going to be good you you understand that their takedowns are probably going to be better than yours and that's okay the wrestler might be able to hold you there for a little bit if they make a mistake you're going to take their neck or their arm home and that'll be the end train keeps rolling Logan's story is a great wrestler man but he's fighting a Gracie I mean he's fighting one of the The Originators of this thing so if he's not careful it could be over quick well Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and American wrestling Beyond full display tonight in the main event represented by two of the very best sit back and enjoy set now to make his way to the cage [Music] Logan storms Starly at the age of 29. yeah he wants to run this town tonight but long term he wants to run the Bellator MMA welterweight division he pushed current champion euroslav Amazon to the brink in its low loss as a professional coming off of victory over Dante's Gyro in his return to his home state South Dakota and yet having to overcome some adversity in that fight and now going into the deeper end of the talent pool against Naaman Gracie God you're absolutely right he had a fantastic performance against him Amazon a fight that was a split decision but he didn't look good against skiro there was a lot of things that worked against him and part of it was the Jujitsu obscure so we're gonna see what he did to get better with that because Logan story you must be you meaning you must stay with your wrestling you must take this fight to the ground at times and you must use your ground and pound but you have to protect your legs when you're down there because Gracie is a leg lock Master he says you need to continue putting things together on his feet he wants to show that he has more weapons than just his wrestling of course could also be playing a little reverse psychology after all as you just said Logan store in the you need to be you [Music] and now making his way Neymar racing [Applause] the first family of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu are known for what I am sure they would say is their Immortal Technique on the ground and hey Naaman Gracie he proved to be as hard-hitting as the Barb spinning birthday boy Immortal Technique when Gracie garnered his first knockout win in his last fight John microwaving Mark leminger and showing off the Wares that he has procured working with the likes of one of the best striking coaches in the game and Rafael Cordero look we've been watching Naaman Gracie here in the Bellator cage for the last almost seven years and we have watched the progression of this man he is absolutely a full-fledged enemy a fighter he needs to use his uppercuts and knees while the standing because Logan's going to change levels on him if you're on your back you must attack do not settle in to just being in guard eight and two since he dropped to the welterweight division in February 2015 and includes going the five round distance against then Champion Rory McDonald and here we are set for the first five round non-titled Main Event in Bellator MMA history with massive title implications at 170. let's go to the tale of the tape as simple as it gets look at the records 11-2 for Gracie 12-1 for Logan story they know how important this fight is in getting that championship fight it's the quintessential Clash of styles and here with the introductions for tonight's Main Event it's Michael C Williams live on Showtime from Mohegan Sun Arena the time has come for tonight's Main Event five five minute rounds in the welterweight division sanctioned by the Mohegan tribe Department athletic regulation chairman James Gessner president of sports entertainment Mr Tom Cantone Chief Mohegan tribe Lynn Minerva and supervising at Cave side director Mike mazuli and now first introducing the blue corner at five foot nine weighing in 170 and three-quarter pounds nearly perfect as a professional 12 wins only one loss fighting out of Webster's South Dakota Logan storm swordly across the cage his adversary out of the Red Corner at six foot weighing in the same at 170 and three-quarter pounds the former Welterweight Title Challenger impressive as a professional holds 11 victories just two defeats by way he fights out of Newport Beach California introducing Neymar of racing [Applause] just about for real in charge Dan mergliano all right gentlemen please all right guys we've been to the rules in the locker room we want to be my commands of all time wants to protect ourselves at all times you ready to touch gloves you want to do it again about your Corners good luck great C6 submission victories in Bellator welterweight competition the most individual history Logan storms story he has six wins via first round Naco all right General All-American wrestler versus Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt who's going to strike first and we saw marked improvement again Mark leminger when Naaman Gracie recorded his first knockout and already putting together punches and yet not moving his head off the center line no he's not at least his stance he's not and there he gets caught with the right hand from Starling and he's not too he's not too worried about things because when you see him squaring off that's telling you he's worried about the takedown he's not he's going out there to be a stand-up guy into the fight hits the ground then he's going to go after him with submissions on the ground we think the Praises and rightfully so for Rafael Cordero well storley has worked with the likes of Henry hoofed at Sanford MMA and in his Corner tonight ruthless Robbie Lawler wanted the pound per pound heaviest hitters in MMA history no doubt about that but you're watching Logan here Logan's doing a nice job of coming in and out sometimes he's keeping his head on that Center Line he needs to start when he comes in just move that head off the center line that's going to make that jab a crazy mess and of course the adjustments that will need to be made knowing that this is now a five round non-title fight and pacing and stormy doing a good job of going to the body and upstairs on Gracie [Music] another great piece that you and Josh put together about deep the wrestling and the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu pedigrees in the sport of MMA and yet John look at these two putting together their striking here in this first round this is pretty cool that's normally what you get the the big difference here is story his wrestling is really translated to the Mixed Martial Arts World his wrestling is just meant for MMA while Gracie is he's good at his wrestling but he's not at the level of story so when it comes to who's going to take you down Logan's gonna have the better chance of putting Gracie where he wants than it is of Neiman putting Logan on his back to them showcasing the fruits of their labor while still ripen and this is the constant evolution in the sport of mixed martial arts and when you talk about Gracie many thinking that he's already the most well-rounded member of the first family of BJJ and for Logan storms storedly a protege Brock Lesnar when he was in high school he and Gracie are just there was a big left hand landed by Logan earlier there and then he hit him with a right foreign [Music] Gracie with his striking Onslaught Gracie trying to neutralize him with under two minutes left in the first round [Music] one of the things that I talked about it's it's easy for someone to go and say I'm gonna be a sprawling brawl guy and keep it to stand up and there's just oh significant Edge for Logan storms Stormy in the Striking Department absolutely he's connecting he's been hit but he's landed the better shot so far and see right here he's in a good position there's not a lot that neyman can do in this position eamon's going to either sit here for a while or he's going to swing into the guard position or he'll just try to stand up but Logan at this point this is the kind of fight he needs but he needs to take his time and find his moments to rest while he's in that grappling exchange normally told us that if he can get Gracie flat he's going to struggle to get up and get tired well he allows Gracie to get up as we near the final minute of the first round and a strong start for Logan storms story as he continues to sharpen his striking skills both of them have but it's it's thoroughly getting the better of the exchanges in the first round absolutely right right now as you're watching you can understand why Logan decided I'm going to stand this back up he's been Landing the more effective shots there beautiful Left Hand he's the guy that's controlling where this fight is at and the pace that is being pushed at and the comfort and the way that the balance dude the confidence and as we you know you and I talked about it John it almost goes without saying really you sell their their credentials as ground gurus wrestling or BJJ and we're like well this could be a stand up and it definitely is and it's been good it's been a great opening five minutes yeah both guys doing well and stormy doing that much better I agree with you [Music] let's take a little drink the punches are landing but you can't get big with them you know what I mean by that hey you can't swing wide if you get off on an angle step off to the right guy right hand is there in the jail but little punches don't get excited when you're touching you hurt him okay you guys want to talk to him a little bit nice right hand by Logan and it was the difference Logan was more accurate with his shots he ate some Jabs but overall the more power went to Logan when he was Landing nice clean left hand right there both guys had their moments but the bigger shots were allowed about Logan story in my opinion during that round and we have seen Gracie deed his fair share of uh shots and counters in the past and it is a part of the Mixed Martial Arts business and as we begin round number two all right let's go scheduled again for five rounds first time non-title Despair and Bellator scheduled for that distance both Gracie and Starley Embrace that they feel it's a nice tune-up for of course what would be a championship Affair Gracie's been there before stormly looking to get to the top of the mountain and John how do you have it on your unofficial scorecard after the first five minutes unofficially I have Logan strongly win in that first round 10-9 why look he landed the cleaner shots he had more power on his shots he landed more it's every bit you're looking for volume you're looking for power he had at all right hand lands for stormy is Gracie being kept at distance being bruised up by the attack of Starley as Java story staying inside there not giving space Tucson just marching down nice and calm this pace for him you gotta figure this is his first five round fight this base for him is perfect right now when you're the guy Landing the heavier shots it's harder for that other man to deal with handling the five rounds eight of starley's 12 victories have come via knockout we talked about it at the top of the the broadcasters John you know Restless best friend is ground and pounded Stoli's made the most of it as now Gracie looking to try to maximize his his reach there with the jab but Stoli able to come in and put together a combination keep Gracie guessing keep Gracie off balance and always absolutely and I think part of their plan was to stay off of the ground in the first round when you're dry don't give him that opportunity but as the sweat builds up I think he'll start to see Logan at times well be willing to go to the ground with Gracie Gracie trying to establish the jab storm League pushes back with a combination upstairs that lands and lands another right hand there's that right uppercut we saw Gracie land against Mark lemender in his last fight right and lands for Graces of racing now starting to put together his punches behind the jab John absolutely is and that as you said that uppercut was well timed and well not right counter well time with an uppercut of his own [Music] the big difference when you're looking at what's happening right now in that fight with lemonger Neiman Grace was able to control the pace he was the one dictating what was going he was one coming forward for the most part in this matchup he's been on his back foot Starly sniping away with that right hand coming up on the final two minutes in the second round come on guys counter by Logan utilizing good head movement John yes he is as he's coming inside you see that he's taking his head off the center line he's not being just an easy target and at the same time cannot be predictable in his movement because then of course Gracie's looking to collect the data and last the counter but Gracie going back to work with the job with the right hand but gets counted more effectively by stormland absolutely and again when Gracie's coming forward he's doing well when Logan's coming forward he's the guy dictating what's going on in this fight beautiful left hand again coming up on the final minute of the SEC second round both stormy and Gracie with one takedown attempt each both of them failing in that attempt it has been a sharp striking display forward Logan storms Starly while Naaman Gracie has had his moments but needs to up the ante ratchet up the offense but broken storms making them pay if he wants to do so he is right now and again you know fighting is all about the moments at PACE right now all those moments for the most part and the pace is being dictated by Logan storm story right hand to the body Gracie goes upstairs with the right hand and then the knee Starling just missed with the uppercut and there's Gracie looking to pull the page onto the Andre Kors cop Playbook not the same uh results and let's bring in Josh Thompson uh Josh uh talk about what you've seen out of Logan's storm story in his stand-up guys he looks absolutely amazing he's relaxed composed you guys said it he's moving his head offline he's counter striking very well and what I love is that he's not loading up everything he's doing is based off of his head movement slipping and making Gracie Miss he looks fantastic on the feet the biggest thing is he's not throwing power he's just touching touching and then when he sees he lands then he tries to throw a hard shot John I'm very impressed right now with Logan story on the feed absolutely I mean what it was really impressive is how calm he is and just being relaxed he's not overextending he's not throwing too hard all the things that you look for Jason Stout Henry hoof has just done a fantastic job with him let's not forget again the aforementioned ruthless Robbie Lawler and he I mean yeah Gilbert birds I mean it is a murderer's row at Sanford MMA and just like it really is when you look at the the power couple in the Gracie Corner when you look at himself where you've seen Rafael Cordero and [Music] so much at stake again and here we go with round number three scheduled for five that's a clean shot by Damon myself Gracie tried to faint and now storms Starly surging forward Echo the sediments of Josh Thompson the composure and there's algebra with Gracie utilizes the stick he's had some success they have no doubt about it that left hand has really opened him up as far as that uppercut with the right hand every time he throws it it's off of that left jab the way it should and yet it's a single shot whereas story comes in always at least throwing two hundred dollars definitely more combinations right now off the counter by Logan story [Music] [Music] foreign as he's dipping he'll dip to his left like that right there many times he's getting himself caught he just needs to keep moving his feet dip to the left keep moving your feet as you swing around in that that hook that you're throwing is gonna land just like that oh [Music] and stormy coming forward splits the guard with the left hand and Naaman Gracie trying to find a way to begin to break down Logan storm story who continues to come forward and is getting by far the better of the striking exchanges although Gracie again as the power and has marked up sterly's face what you're seeing right now is Naaman is trying to take control of his fight he's trying to move forward he's trying to step it back Logan up and at moments he's being able to but when Logan is coming in Naaman is taking too many steps straight back he needs to circle out quicker take one step back start circling out and re-establish that forward motion it was built as the battle for ground Supremacy it has been a smorgasborder strikes under two minutes remaining here in the third and against only able to come close enough to connect and then back out and Gracie looking to utilize footwork looking to find the distance with the jab but not finding a home for the right hand although he launched one to the body there and every boxer is out there right now watching this going I kill these guys no you would not because they would not be fighting this way against you they're about taking you to the ground and obliterating you as a voice of Showtime championship boxing yeah maybe they would but I know what you're saying it's all about the position sitting in the stand-up I'm just giving you our time of course that's uh I mean there's no discussion it's a completely different sport and when you look at the hand positioning it is because of the threat of the takedown absolutely and position is everything and stopping that takedown the hands get too high you just can't get them down time to put yourself in a position to stop that takedown but right now Logan the guy I really thought needed to use that wrestling as an offensive weapon at times he's sticking with the stamina and doing well absolutely and so for Naaman Gracie talk about adjustments you would like to see him make again the one thing I'd want to see how to name it is I don't think you should be shooting for the takedown because you're not going to get that takedown in the open field I do think that you need to make Logan back up as much as you can don't take so many steps backwards Circle if you're going if he's going to come towards you and you need to move out Circle and now come forward and throw the more you can put Logan backwards the more effective you're going to be well thanks darling just snapped Gracie's head backwards with another combination and Logan storm starling main event [Music] making the most of his first Main Event John five rounds you know right now man he is on track to make it look easy [ __ ] you think maybe three punches I don't know instead of two bunches like ding ding and then ding or if you miss with the right hand after the jab that's what a big right hand again here's some water for you wanted foreign [Music] sense of urgency definitely in the crazy corner with Enzo and Rafael both trying to get their instructions in and if you feel like he's trying to look at the Logan storms he's been through it Gracie has put some stuff and I thought that third round it was a very close round I'm gonna give it to Gracie just because I'm trying to be kind and I don't want to put myself in that position but it is a close round Logan did not land near as many shots and Gracie was more aggressive in it I thought he landed some clean shots but this fight right now Gracie still needs to do something to take it over especially when the stats show 129 strikes landed for story 57 landed for Gracie cumulatively but again John as we remind everyone round by round scoring and according to Big John McCarthy he has scorley up 29-28 as we go to the fourth round now and it's darling marching forward and Gracie backing up [Music] [Music] again Pine with the jab John it's obvious that Grace he would like to establish something with it but cap Hotshot and he definitely needs to follow up but stormly continues to be in his face continues to put the pressure on yeah and just right there what you saw you saw it naming him quickly sir black good job by Logan Sterling clean shots but you saw him when he was close to fence just circle it he needs to do that when he's in the center of the cage upstairs and landed for story right hand to the body right hand that lands for Gracie but now Starling coming forward again throwing the right bouncing off the shoulder of Gracie I like the fact that every time you're seeing story he's usually throwing more than one he's throwing yes always three minimum company he's throwing combinations unlike racing and yet you look at Logan storms normally's face and it's choppy Walkers I mean he you know Gracie's jab he's the bigger guy but needs to do a lot more in terms of his offense because Logan storms story continues oh there's a right hand that landed for Gracie back totally yes it did and for the first time story in trouble here bracing now unloading with the right hand trying to land elbows in the right uppercut yeah something happened with his eye I don't know what it is he got hit it affected him greatly that's why he backed off now he's going towards that wrestling and the ball and the name from Gracie the Slick sprawl Scrabble and adversity for Logan storms stolen for the first time in the fight we talk about it only takes one and hey first sports round is delivering look at the elbows [Applause] [Music] so Gracie comes alive in the first fourth round of a non-title fight in bellatorium a history both trying to remain in the hunt for Gracie it would be a second opportunity at a championship and he gets but he's in trouble incredible see the current erupting memo Eagan Sun and somehow Gracie continues to weather the storm Logan's not worried about the ground now he's going after him Logan should make him get up this is why we need five Round Knob title Main Events Chuck this is exactly it because this fight would have been over by now beginning [Music] what an exchange here in the fourth final minute startly trying to stand his ground Gracie trying to put together combinations finally but he gets he gets nominated job double time right hand over the top by scorly both of these guys putting it on the line look at it look at the legs of Scarlett he's exhausted he is stumbling this is what happens when you hit that five round talking about that extra 10 minutes is brutal and you're seeing it right now David Bowie going for the takedown against the multiple time All-American north south position now for the startling final 15 seconds of what has been a fantastic fourth round bring on the fifth wow so much to unpack in that fourth John man so much went on there because Naaman hurt storm you could see it when he was backing up but then Logan comes back and he puts Naaman on his back just an incredible round for both guys and you could see the legs of Logan story they were wobbly not based upon being hit he was tired his legs are heavy watch story here comes up in the left hand right on the chin Gracie coming forward lands a beautiful right hook there that's the one that bothered storily I don't know what it did to Sterling but it's definitely affected him but here comes back Starley Landing a big shot and ends up putting Gracie down then Gracie comes back when he's tired and throws the elbows and lands on the jawline of story both guys have just put it all out so far incredible matchup this is what we expected high fives the fifth good final round begins and they continue both Gracie and Sterling come out knowing how important this final five minutes is to their respective hunt for the championship opportunity and we mentioned it your slap Amazon defends the title against number one ranked Challenger Michael Venom page Friday May 13th in London are just slipping right by [Music] has a clean right hand by Gracie he's on his horse taking a look man he's moving well for the fifth round I'm just gonna say both as we mentioned you know Starly seems to almost have found a bit of a second wind as well and definitely Damon Gracie has gone much better past the third round where usually the fight would have been over this uh circumstance no doubt about it body kick by Gracie they are definitely [Music] throwing a lot knowing again what's at stake in fact story has thrown 362 strikes Gracie 318 but still a huge Advantage cumulatively for store lead by Tom Gracie he's surging back oh he's still in there he's in this fight he's looking to throw that uppercut that lands and puts Logan down we'll see if he can make it happen yeah anyone thinking take down John oh and Left Hand landed I don't know right now Logan strongly a guy who grew up on wrestling has done it his whole life just go out I don't want to wrestle that's gonna take too much energy boy finding the home for the right hand Logan looking at the clock [Music] they are showing still alive movement midpoint of the final round Damon Gracie and Logan story making Bellator MMA history and the bonus action is definitely delivered absolutely the extra two rounds thanks to president Scott Coker for making decisions saying yeah we're going five round main events [Music] Logan throws he comes over with that left hand he needs to back it up with that right hand crime to Rally behind Naaman Gracie but a lot of Starly supporters in attendance as well and how can you not these world-class athletes just pop in and out using footwork fifth round exhausted actually looking better than he did in the first round I'm telling you he's just fantastic maybe the first three John double jab and there's a counter left by Sterling and now Gracie looks at the clock what do these two have left in the minute and change that remains good shot by Starley another left hand bounces off the nose and Gracie another left connects for stolen final 60 seconds [Music] yeah starting systematically throwing that right and left palm over he keeps throwing again just did it there it's been working for him the entire fight [Music] again in a fight that was built for ground Supremacy not one takedown has been achieved but they're trying to take quick punches both guys Landing Big Shots right there and now Starly trying to put the finishing touches on what has been a fantastic effort number four ranked name and Gracie Logan store Stores Only been standing for 25 minutes and while the crowd may be booing hey hats off to both Starley Gracie for showcasing their striking and Logan storm star lead bouncing back in very impressive fashion for what happened in his home state of South Dakota a win but not an impressive victory over Dante skiru no matter Boy tell you what he just showed a ton about who he is and what hard he has in that chess man he possesses nothing on grit and determination speaking of heart grid and determination Naaman Gracie same thing come on take a look at what we talk about her all the time well I hate seeing guys that leave it in you know and I think the eye of the crowd where he was kind of yeah you've given it all he's giving everything both guys unbelievable a lot of people asking me about this fight what I expected I don't want to be the guy that says I told you so but I told you so this is yeah you know it's all isn't that MMA math John honestly you can build it and show the respect and you know this is MMA and these guys know where they're strongest at and it begins in the stand-up and it stayed there John it did and you can see that you know Logan kept on going and he would a strange combination when you're thinking most of the time it's LED with your your off hand but he led with his right hand a lot finishing it up with his weaker hand his left hand but he was effective beautiful right left misses Naaman had his moments where he was able to connect too did a good job of moving around in the fifth round he really showed a lot of energy amazing after all the shots he took both guys put it all on the line you cannot ask any more of an individual than what these two guys gave him mutual respect after going 25 a hard minutes you think about what it takes to excel at one disciplined this is MMA this is mixed martial arts All-American wrestling Brazilian Jiu Jitsu royalty and it was a Striker's ball here tonight as we go to Michael C Williams ladies and gentlemen after five rounds of non-stop action we'll go cage side to your three judges your first Eric colon scores to the fight 48-47 your second judge Dave Hagan 50 45 your third and final Judge David Peabody 49-46 I'll have it for the winner of my unanimous decision scores may have been all over the place but Logan storm Starly celebrating with ruthless Robbie Lawler The Classy name and Gracie look on his face says it all but he comes over to congratulate Logan Starley achieving by far the biggest win of his career let's go to Big John McCarthy Logan story that fight showed heart guts determination by both of you you took a fight that most people thought was going to hit the ground you stayed on the feet for most of it how are you feeling right now at the end of that five round battle hey Connecticut thank you so much I appreciate it that fight right there I had to dig deep dig deep that's those Farm Roots that's Midwest figuring out who you were in the fourth round and coming back and I'm freaking happy big Japan tired but happy now look I I gotta ask you man that fourth round you got hit with a shot and it hurt you and you started backing off real quick what happened with that shot but you came back in that round so I don't know my orbital bone or something it kind of all went numb for a second and it I was stung for a little bit but I was playing and moving um and then he started kind of wearing himself out and I landed it um but that's the first time this I'm a fighter now that proved it right there any doubt I ever had um about taking a punch you know fighting the best guys that's number four guy in the world I just beat him 50 45 49 whatever it was and it was 25 minutes on the feet that's the most fun I've ever had competing in my life I'll say that that was the most fun you've had in your life I love that let me ask you this after that performance going five rounds for the first time in your career now being 13-1 you know that Amazon is gonna fight Paige is that the fight you want whoever gets the winner or is it you want the rematch against Amazon I want the belt that's why I got in this business I didn't get it done at the NCAA level and that drives me to today is to be the best in the world I want some of the best in the world then it's time to go do something else so I want to be the best in the world and I want the title next well I'll tell you what you're right there that was an unbelievable performance the greatest thing I've seen you in your career pull off that was a fantastic win you got to give it up for the man the storm Logan story and what a way for Bellator MMA to usher in the new era of five round non-titled Main Events lots to celebrate in the camp of Logan storm story securing his 13th career Victory with his striking Naaman Gracie tasting defeat for the third time but yeah let's keep it the way it is five rounds fantastic stuff as we go to Amanda Garrett hey more Josh and I agree we won the five rounds there oh man what a win for Logan's Story look he's an All-American wrestler but he told us this week he saw the fight playing out on the feet and that's exactly what we saw yeah I think he realized that going to the ground shouldn't have been that much of an option unless he had rocked him and that's what he did I believe it was in the third round when he wrote our fourth round when he rocked him and dropped him and set him to his butt he jumps on top try to get the Finish he looked it very impressive tonight his first time going five rounds and I'm gonna play a little Matchmaker here okay I'm just gonna be honest Douglas Lima coming off of his loss so you almost lost Amazon if he fights Jason Jackson he loses to Jason Jackson I'd like to see Logan get one more fight against one more fight before he gets a title shot because I'd like to see him in Lima fight that'd be a great fight because Jason Jackson's been kind of lingering there waiting for that next title shot with a win over Lima I honestly believe he just needs one more fight to give that experience of that top level competition because he showed he's a fighter tonight he proved it that's what my next question was gonna be I mean one more fight but can he handle his own in that title shot right now given what you saw in the cage tonight did you not see their first fight I mean he fought you're almost off to a speed decision yeah absolutely it was a phenomenal fight had that fight been a five round fight who knows what would have happened I mean I I I'm being honest and so they make up for a perfect matchup stylistically they are a fun fight I'm talking wrestling Jiu Jitsu striking everything mixed in and Logan Starling showed me tonight what I've always wanted to know will he fight walking forward will he throw punches or will he just continue to fall to his wrestling tonight he proved that he can strike with the best of them and he can also use his wrestling when he needs to he has a very high fight IQ that's what I wanted to see tonight from Logan's story his first five round event comes out Victorious and sure enough we needed all five we all agree you me Moro Big John because that fight came alive in the fourth round Josh Thompson Amanda Garrett here if you missed any portion of tonight's fight card let's run it back check your listings for Encore plays at Bellator MMA on Showtime and Showtime extreme next Friday Bellator moves a company from New England to Ireland for a colossal Midway contest the reigning champion and MMA Powerhouse geguard Musashi faces off with the next generation of MMA the unbeaten Austin vanderford who looks to Dethrone the dream catcher join us next Friday live at Fort Eastern one Pacific only on Showtime as we wrap up back-to-back Knights of Combat Sports Showtime continues to throw that heat keep it here for an encore episode of the latest billions [Music] and there is your champ Logan story a little gingerly walking down but he feels good because he got that victory tonight let's take a look back at what we saw here at Bellator 274 we started it with a heavyweights trading major blows for a full three rounds newcomer Debbie and Franklin emerging with his fist in the air now 5-0 since bursting onto the scene just two years ago how high can that guy climb then the return of Brennan Ward after overcoming drug addiction returning to the cage for first time in nearly four and a half years he told fans to expect a knockout and he got it just seconds into the second round it was loaded lightweight battle between Georgie carohanyan and Adam piccolati piccolati who hadn't been in the cage for nearly a year and a half he wins there in our co-main event The supremely Talented welterweight division Georgie kreshkov Chancellor encounter it was greshkosh with his stunner in 38 seconds and the main event Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Phenom Naaman Gracie and outstand wrestler Logan Story the first five round non-title main event and it goes to Logan story at the end of the day getting him that much closer to a title shot for all of us here at Bellator have a great night [Music] [Applause]

Channel: BellatorMMA

Views: 297,772

Keywords: MMA, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports, Bellator, Bellator MMA, Fighting, Fight, Fighter, UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship, Strikeforce, WWE, Punch, Kick, Grappling, MMA highlights, MMA KO, MMA Knockouts, MMA best moments, MMA fights, MMA moves, MMA best fights, Analysis, Sports Analysis, Breakdown, Boxing, Martial Arts, Karate, BJJ, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Taekwondo, Wrestling, Combat, Submission, Knock out, KO, Sports Highlights, Conor McGregor, Full Fight, Fight Highlights

Id: 3zHAXAwjw6E

Length: 155min 50sec (9350 seconds)

Published: Wed Jul 05 2023