Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Takes Controversial Split at Bellator 157
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Takes Controversial Split at Bellator 157
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson edges out Satoshi Ishii in a controversial split-decision to cap off the card at Bellator 157.
By Jim Edwards
For only the second time in their history, Bellator MMA last evening hosted a night featuring both MMA and kickboxing fights with 'Bellator: Dynamite II held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
In the main event, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson returned to the cage following a brief period back in the UFC last year where he competed only once defeating Fabio Maldanado at UFC 186 in August 2015.
"Rampage" made his return against Japanese fighter Satoshi Ishii in a 215lbs catchweight bout and in a surprising first round, it was Ishii who had much the better of the action as he scored two clever trips to take 'Rampage' down to the mat. On the ground, Ishii controlled his man but failed to do any significant work before the round was out.
In round two Jackson came out the more aggressive but within a minute Ishii scored yet another trip and worked into side control. After another brief period of little action on the ground, the fight made it's way back to the feet where the two clinched up against the cage and fell into a pattern of trading strikes and failed takedown attempts. Jackson noticeably did the better work of the two.
The final five minutes saw a frustrated 'Rampage' taking the centre of the cage and taunting Ishii who was totally unwilling to exchange hands at range. Like the second round, the two ended up clinched against the cage with Ishii desperately trying to get the takedown while Rampage worked in short elbows and uppercuts.
The turning point of the round, and likely the fight, came when Jackson scored a takedown of his own with two minutes to go of round three. Jackson landed some hard ground and pound before allowing his man to stand back up with only seconds left in the round.
The fight went to the cards and the split decision went to Jackson with the judge's scoring the fight 29-28, 28-29, 30-27 to the American. Speaking afterward, 'Rampage' cited ring rust for his laboured performance but promised Bellator fans that after a short vacation he would be back in action very soon.
In the co-main event of the evening, the vacant Bellator lightweight belt was on the line as both Michael Chandler and Prarticky Freire fought for the title that Will Brooks vacated earlier in the month.
Heading into the fight many were expecting a gritty war of attrition between the two but instead, Chandler delivered one of the best performances of his career with a sensational one shot, walk-off knockout after just two minutes and fourteen seconds of the very first round.
The finish was calculated and utterly ruthless. After a brief period of boxing on the feet, Chandler unleashed an overhand right that landed flush on the chin on Freire with sniper-like precision. 'Pitbull' was out before he hit the mat and the American celebrated emotionally on top of the cage to the delight of the fans who were on their feet going wild at what they had just seen.
Speaking afterward, Chandler said: "I'm getting better every single day, I'm so excited to be champion again and I can't wait to defend this belt." Chandler finished by saying he would happily be Benson Henderson's "Huckleberry" and defend his newly belt against him, however, Chandler also acknowledged the fact that he had "unfinished business" with Josh Thomson.
The options are no doubt open for the now two-time Bellator lightweight champion.
In other action, a night featuring over twenty bouts wasn't short of highlights with the prelims at times featuring both kickboxing and MMA fights taking place at the same time. Undercard highlights included Matt Mitrione picking up his first Bellator win with a first round knockout of Carl Semuanutafa, while lima-Lei Macfarlane defeated Rebecca Ruth via rear naked choke in the second round.
Bellator: Dynamite II Full Results
Main card
Quinton Jackson def. Satoshi Ishii via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Michael Chandler def. Patricky Freire via KO (punch), Round 1, 2:14
Matt Mitrione def. Carl Seumanutafa via KO, Round 1, 3:22
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Rebecca Ruth via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 3:00
Kevin Ross def. Justin Houghton via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
Gloria Peritore def. Denise Kielholtz via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Bellator Kickboxing
Keri Melendez def. Sarah Howell via unanimous decision
Raymond Daniels def. Stefano Bruno via KO (kick) Rd 1
Hisaki Kato def. Joe Schilling via KO (Spinning back fist) Rd 3
Undercard
Justin Lawrence def. Isao Kobayashi via TKO, Round 2, 2:11
Guilherme "Bomba" Vasconcelos def. Jordan Dowdy via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:59
Chel Erwin-Davis def. Kevin Engel via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:19
For only the second time in their history, Bellator MMA last evening hosted a night featuring both MMA and kickboxing fights with 'Bellator: Dynamite II held at the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Mo.
In the main event, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson returned to the cage following a brief period back in the UFC last year where he competed only once defeating Fabio Maldanado at UFC 186 in August 2015.
"Rampage" made his return against Japanese fighter Satoshi Ishii in a 215lbs catchweight bout and in a surprising first round, it was Ishii who had much the better of the action as he scored two clever trips to take 'Rampage' down to the mat. On the ground, Ishii controlled his man but failed to do any significant work before the round was out.
In round two Jackson came out the more aggressive but within a minute Ishii scored yet another trip and worked into side control. After another brief period of little action on the ground, the fight made it's way back to the feet where the two clinched up against the cage and fell into a pattern of trading strikes and failed takedown attempts. Jackson noticeably did the better work of the two.
The final five minutes saw a frustrated 'Rampage' taking the centre of the cage and taunting Ishii who was totally unwilling to exchange hands at range. Like the second round, the two ended up clinched against the cage with Ishii desperately trying to get the takedown while Rampage worked in short elbows and uppercuts.
The turning point of the round, and likely the fight, came when Jackson scored a takedown of his own with two minutes to go of round three. Jackson landed some hard ground and pound before allowing his man to stand back up with only seconds left in the round.
The fight went to the cards and the split decision went to Jackson with the judge's scoring the fight 29-28, 28-29, 30-27 to the American. Speaking afterward, 'Rampage' cited ring rust for his laboured performance but promised Bellator fans that after a short vacation he would be back in action very soon.
In the co-main event of the evening, the vacant Bellator lightweight belt was on the line as both Michael Chandler and Prarticky Freire fought for the title that Will Brooks vacated earlier in the month.
Heading into the fight many were expecting a gritty war of attrition between the two but instead, Chandler delivered one of the best performances of his career with a sensational one shot, walk-off knockout after just two minutes and fourteen seconds of the very first round.
The finish was calculated and utterly ruthless. After a brief period of boxing on the feet, Chandler unleashed an overhand right that landed flush on the chin on Freire with sniper-like precision. 'Pitbull' was out before he hit the mat and the American celebrated emotionally on top of the cage to the delight of the fans who were on their feet going wild at what they had just seen.
Speaking afterward, Chandler said: "I'm getting better every single day, I'm so excited to be champion again and I can't wait to defend this belt." Chandler finished by saying he would happily be Benson Henderson's "Huckleberry" and defend his newly belt against him, however, Chandler also acknowledged the fact that he had "unfinished business" with Josh Thomson.
The options are no doubt open for the now two-time Bellator lightweight champion.
In other action, a night featuring over twenty bouts wasn't short of highlights with the prelims at times featuring both kickboxing and MMA fights taking place at the same time. Undercard highlights included Matt Mitrione picking up his first Bellator win with a first round knockout of Carl Semuanutafa, while lima-Lei Macfarlane defeated Rebecca Ruth via rear naked choke in the second round.
Bellator: Dynamite II Full Results
Main card
Quinton Jackson def. Satoshi Ishii via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Michael Chandler def. Patricky Freire via KO (punch), Round 1, 2:14
Matt Mitrione def. Carl Seumanutafa via KO, Round 1, 3:22
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane def. Rebecca Ruth via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 3:00
Kevin Ross def. Justin Houghton via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 30-26)
Gloria Peritore def. Denise Kielholtz via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Bellator Kickboxing
Keri Melendez def. Sarah Howell via unanimous decision
Raymond Daniels def. Stefano Bruno via KO (kick) Rd 1
Hisaki Kato def. Joe Schilling via KO (Spinning back fist) Rd 3
Undercard
Justin Lawrence def. Isao Kobayashi via TKO, Round 2, 2:11
Guilherme "Bomba" Vasconcelos def. Jordan Dowdy via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 4:59
Chel Erwin-Davis def. Kevin Engel via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:19