by Gila
Season 8 of Bellator has been the most exciting season yet in the promotion’s history. Viewers who have been tuning in on a weekly basis have been treated to historic upsets, grueling tournament fights, and spectacular knockouts. Here’s a recap of the promotion’s shows thus far in Season 8:
Bellator MMA 85
“Bellator MMA 85” kicked off the season with two intriguing title fights. Featherweight Champion Pat Curran successfully defended his title against Patricio “Pitbull” Freire. Although Curran won convincingly, he was awarded a split decision.
Rick Hawn, winner of Season 6’s lightweight tournament was no match for Champion Michael Chandler who dismantled Hawn via rear-naked choke in the second round.
The most exciting performance of the night belonged to M-1 Global vet Mikhail Zayats, who knocked out former Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral by a spinning back-fist followed by punches.
A handful of UFC veterans also tasted defeat on the card, as Seth Petruzelli, Mike Guymon, and Hector Ramirez all lost to Jacob Noe, Savant Young, and UFC vet Jason Lambert, respectively.
Bellator MMA 86
“Bellator MMA 86” took place in Thackerville, Oklahoma, and fans will forever remember the event for Ben Askren’s finish over Karl Amoussou in the main event. Askren successfully defended the welterweight title and it was only his second finish in eight fights for the company.
Douglas Lima finished Michail Tsarev by brutal leg kicks late in the second round, advancing to the welterweight tournament semi-final. Ben Saunders advanced by defeating Koffi Adzitso on the card as well.
Making his much-anticipated debut, Muhammed Lawal, better known as “King Mo,” beat his opponent Przemyslaw Mysiala by TKO in the first round.
Former Dream Welterweight Champion and Grand Prix winner Marius Zaromskis lost his second straight against Brent Weedman.
Bellator MMA 87
“Bellator MMA 87” saw Quebec-based fighter Guillaume DeLorenzi lose to impressive lightweight Saad Awad in less than a minute.
The main event and co-main event featured two lightweight tournament bouts, as David Rickels defeated Lloyd Woodard and Will Brooks took home the victory against Ricardo Tirloni. Also on the main card was Alexander Sarnavski, who is also competing in the lightweight tournament, defeating Thiago Michel.
Get refreshed on the remaining three promotions of Bellator MMA after the jump…
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