Saturday, September 19, 2015 – For the first time ever, Bellator MMA united with Glory World Series to bring Dynamite 1, an event birth in Japan and reimagined for an American Audience. In the Bellator Light Heavyweight One Night Tournament semi-finals, King Mo Lawal faced Linton Vassell while Phil Davis took on former Light Heavyweight Champion, Emanuel Newton. In the Lightweight division, Josh Thomson made his Bellator debut against Mike Bronzoulis and the Light Heavyweight Title was on the line as Liam McGeary defended his title against Tito Ortiz.
During the Glory portion of tonight’s program, Keri Melendez faced Hadley Griffith in the Bantamweight division, while Paul Daley took on Fernando Gonzalez at a Catchweight and Light Heavyweights Zack Mwekassa fought Saulo Cavalari.
Here are tonight’s results:
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) Semi-Final Bout:
King Mo Lawal [15-4 (11 KOs), 1 NC] vs. Linton Vassell [15-4 (6 KOs, 7 SUBs), 1 NC]
First of two rounds in this tournament and King Mo had rocked Cassell three times. The Englishman has attempted to wrestle with the wrestler to slow his momentum but King Mo rocks Vassell again, dropping him to his knees and pressing him against the cage, Mo slips but one more right hook and Vassell’s knees buckle, he ties Mo up on the cage as the round comes to an end.
Round two and it slows down, Mo rocks Vassell twice before being taken down, but Mo reverses it and raja Vassell over his head in s double leg. They get back to their feet against the cage and King Mo uses another double leg to take him down.
Your winner by unanimous decision and advancing to the Light Heavyweight tournament finals, King Mo!
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) Semi-Final Bout:
Phil Davis [13-3 (2 KOs, 4 SUBs), 1 NC] vs. Emanuel Newton [25-8-1 ( 4 KOs, 9 SUBs)]
Round one is underway, Newton starts with a low kick and continues to use his feet to keep Davis at bay. The crowd is hostile as the fight is slow but Davis takes Newton down and briefly takes the former champion’s back, rolling into side control and now working towards a guillotine, but Newton has his leg wrapped up.
Davis catches Newton in a kimora lock and gets the tap.
Your winner via tap out at 4:39 of the very first round and advancing to the finals of the Light Heavyweight tournament, Phil Davis!
Glory World Series Women’s Bantamweight Bout (120 lbs)
Keri Melendez [2-1 (1 KO)] vs. Hadley Griffith (Debut)
Round of and Melendez begins with the low kicks but a Griffith answers with a left hook leading to Melendez attacking the body with a punch combination, then going upstairs with s right straight followed by a knee to the body. For every punch landed by Griffith, Melendez answers with five counter strike. The round comes to an end and Griffith’s nose is bloodied.
Round two starts just like round one with Melendez on the offensive, driving Griffith into the corner. The crowd chants, “Keri, Keri” as she continues to pick her shots.
Third and final round and Melendez is still the aggressor, looking as fresh as she did in the first round. Again for every one strike Griffith lands Melendez answers with s handful of her own. Again the crowd begins the, “Keri, Keri,” chants as this one goes to the judge.
You’re winner by unanimous decision, Keri Melendez!
Glory World Series Catchweight Bout (175 lbs)
Paul Daley [Kickboxing Record 20-3 (17 KOs)] vs. Frenando Gonzalez [Kickboxing Record (1-2)]
Round one and Daley begins with attacking Gonzalez’ body with roundhouse kicks. Gonzalez has over 40 professional fights counting MMA & Muay Thai, but is only 1-2 under Kickboxing rules.
Round two is underway after a slow first round, Daley leads with his jab then follows with body kicks, but Gonzalez lands a couple of his own. Gonzalez’s left arm and torso are red like a tomato. Gonzalez backs Daley up to the ropes but only for a second.
Third and final round, and Gonzalez leads with a front kick. He has Daley in the corner but only got a moment as they circle the ring. They exchange kicks but Daley slips coming out of the corner. Daley eats a left hook and they finish the fight banging it out in the center of the ring. This could go either way.
Your winner by unanimous decision, Paul Daley!
Bellator MMA Lightweight Bout (155 lbs)
Josh Thompson [20-8 (5 KOs, 9 SUBs), 1 NC] vs. Mike Bronzoulis [18-8-1 (11 KOs, 3 SUBs)]
Bronzoulis comes out to the cage in full Spartan garb, representing hid Greek heritage as he’s ready to face hometown hero, Josh Thomson.
Round one, they touch gloves and Bronzoulis lands a thunderous low kick only eat a couple of dirty boxing uppercuts against the cage. Bronzoulis is a bit overzealous and is taken to the ground by the “Real Punk,” ego is in the Greek’s guard. Thomson ties up both of Bronzoulis’ legs add he had full mount against the cage.
Round two begins as Thomson had cage control for most of the first round. Thomson begins with a low kick and Bronzoulis answers, but obey commits and is note pressed against the cage. Thomson takes his back and sits out to take the Greek down gaining side control against the cage. Bronzoulis shakes Thomson off only to br pressed against the cage.
Bronzoulis is taken down with a single leg after exchanging punches and more Thomson had full mount again at the end of the round.
Third and final round, Bronzoulis lands a head kick then a left hook, but Thomson again takes him down and comes him out with an arm triangle.
Your winner via tap out at 39 seconds of the third round, Josh Thomson!
Glory World Series Light Heavyweight Title Bout (209 lbs)
Zack Mwekassa [13-2 (12 KOs)] vs. Saulo Cavalari [31-2 (19 KOs)]
Round one they touch gloves and Cavalari lands don’t big body kicks, but Mwekassa had some heavy hands driving the Brazilian intuitive the corner. The Congolese fighter is the shorter of the two and is using a lunging jab to close the distance.
Mwekassa goes to the body but is knocked off center balance by Cavalari.
Round two and they exchange low kicks in the center of the ring, then exchange punches to the delight of the crowd. Mwekassa does down from a left front kick to the face but is quickly up to his feet. After an illegal blow the referee deducts a point from Cavalari, which isn’t clear as to why.
Third round and Cavalari tries to take Mwekassa’s back, calling for a break. Neither man is slowing down but Mwekassa is knocked down yet again with a left hook. Cavalari lands a head kick and Mwekassa dances it off to stay, “That’s all you go?” As the round comes to a close.
The fourth round begins and Mwekassa comes out swinging. Cavalari had no problem answering his opponent back. Mwekassa goes got a kick butt the Brazilian catches his leg then shoves him down.
Fifth and final round, Cavalari is looking to finish this one, but Mwekassa Is still standing and banging. This one goes to the judge.
Your winner by majority decision and new Glory Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, Saulo Cavalari!
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) Tournament Final Bout:
As King Mo is not medically cleared after his first bout because he sustained an injury , the tournament final will be between Phil Davis and the winner of the alternate bout fought on the prelims, Francis Carmont.
Round one, Carmont is the fresher man as he won his bout via rear naked choke during the preliminaries. The crowd begins to boo as both men are feeling each other out. Davis knocks Carmont to the canvas with an overhand left and pounces for the ground and pound to end the fight quickly.
Your winner of the Light Heavyweight tournament (and to face the winner of tonight’s main event for the title) at 2:15 of the very first round by KO, Phil Davis!
Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight (205 lbs) World Title Bout:
Champion, Liam McGeary [10-0 (5 KOs, 4 SUBs)] vs. Challenger, Tito Ortiz [18-11-1 (8 KOs, 4 SUBs)]
Round one and the champion is gaging hoof distance with the jab, but Ortiz lands two jabs of his own before taking the champion down with a double leg.
The crowd is clearly behind the Huntington Beach Bad Boy as he grinds McGeary into the cage, while remaining in the Englishman’s guard. Every punch Ortiz lands and the crowd erupts in celebration. McGeary is working his legs up Ortiz’s back looking for a triangle but through challenger slips out the side to get caught in an arm bar to be choked out by a inverted triangle choke!
Your winner by tap out at 4:41 of the very first round and still Bellator MMA Light Heavyweight Champion, Liam McGeary!
Phil Davis got his wish to fight McGeary for the title and tells him he’ll need to do a little more to keep thy belt away from him.