January 20, 2018 – Tonight, airing for the first time on the all new Paramount Network, Bellator MMA was live from The Forum in Inglewood, CA. In the double main event featured Quinton “Rampage” Jackson against Chael Sonnen in the first round of the Heavyweight Grand Prix along with the Welterweight championship as Douglas Lima defended his title against Rory MacDonald.
Here are tonight’s results as follow:
Featherweight (145 lbs) Georgi Karakhanyan (27-7-1) vs. Henry Corrales (14-3)
Karakhanyan takes cage control but almost gets knocked out at the end of the first. This one is going back and fourth with Karkhanyan attempts a spinwheel kick to end the second round. During the third round Corrales looked to have control as Karkhanyan was fighting off is back. The third round had slowed the pace and as the two fighters took each other to the cage and then the judges.
Your winner by unanimous decision, Henry Corrales!
Featherweight (145 lbs) Aaron Pico (1-1) vs. Shane Kruchten (12-3)
Round One: Pico jumps on Kruchten and knocks his opponent out quickly.
Your winner by knock out at 1:37 of the very first round, Aaron Pico!
Lightweight (155 lbs) Michael Chandler (16-4) vs. Goiti Yamauchi (22-3)
Round One: Chandler takes Yamauchi down with a double leg landing in a closed guard.
Round Two: Round one was on the floor the entire time, and this round Yamauchi lands a spilling liver kick on Chandler, rocking the former champion, putting him on the run. Chandler gets his wits about him and takes down Yamauchi again with a double leg.
Round Three: Chandler finished the first two round on top position, in the third and final round, an eye poke by Yamauchi slows the momentum but this round has been on their first for the entire first half until Chandler lands yet another double leg take down. The ground and pound couldn’t finish off Yamauchi and this one goes to the judges!
Your winner by unanimous decision, Michal Chandler!
Welterweight (170 lbs) Douglas Lima [Champion (29-6) vs. Rory MacDonald (19-4)
Round One: The crowd is clearly on MacDonald’s side, who is chasing after the champion as Lima fights off the cage. MacDonald has cage control, which is what he’s known for throughout his career. MacDonald sweeps the leg and takes Lima down in the center of the cage as Lima fights off his back.
Round Two: Lima goes for a single body kick but it’s caught my MacDonald who holds on to the leg landing several right hands before taking cage control. MacDonald lands a low blow and knows instantly, stopping the action. Lima recovers and MacDonald takes him down with a single, but Lima pops back up only to eat a punch to the back of the head.
Round Three: Lima stuffs the take down, but MacDonald is back up quick, taking cage control and receiving boos from the crowd. Lima knocks MacDonald down, chases him to the ground, ending the round on top.
Round Four: MacDonald shoots in for a single as the round begins, Lima reveres it, takes full mount landing punches for points. MacDonald takes control of the top position.
Round Five: The crowd is with MacDonald who has to position, dropping bombs on Lima.
Your winner by unanimous decision and the NEW Welterweight Champion, Rory MacDonald!
Heavyweight (265 lbs) Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (37-12) vs. Chael Sonnen (29-15-1)
Round One: Sonnen leads with an overhand left then follows with a low kick. Rampage counters with a jab then a left hook. Sonnen surprisingly hasn’t tried to shoot yet. Rampage catches a kick and bodyslams Sonnen. After a few punch exchanges, Sonnen finally lands a double taking Rampage’s back and ends the round with a front face lock.
Round Two: They come out swinging as Rampage takes cage control. Sonnen reverses position and stomps on Rampage’s foot. Sonnen trips Rampage and is fighting from a closed guard. Sonnen moves to half guard and the crowd is booing as Sonnen looks for a kimora.
Round Three: Rampage unleashes with body shots on Sonnen against the cage. Sonnen can’t close the distance for a take down as Rampage taunts him. Sonnen takes Rampage down with an inside leg trip and fights from the guard. This one ends on their feet against the cage.
Your winner by unanimous decision and advancing in the Heavyweight Grand Prix, Chael Sonnen!