Tonight Bellator MMA returned to Southern California in Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula with the world featherweight title on the line as Daniel Straus wants to end Patricio Pitbull’s reign in recapturing the championship crown.
Scott Coker’s influence has taken shape as the old color-coded gloves have made their way into the Bellator cage. For those unfamiliar with the colored gloves, they are designated to represent which corner the combatant is fighting out of making it easier for the judges to score the bout.
Welterweights (170 lbs): Marius Zaromskis (20-8) vs. Fernando Gonzalez (22-13)
In the first round, Zamorskis comes out kicking while Gonzalez chooses to exchange hands instead. The two welterweights have been banging it out the first round until Gonzalez tags Zaromskis with a right hand and picks him up in a standing guillotine, which he quickly escapes. The Lithuanian looks tired as he fights with his back against the cage, but is still exchange blows with Gonzalez. Round one ends with Gonzalez on the bottom attempting a guillotine choke.
Round two is underway, the two men feel each other out and Gonzalez throws a right cross followed by a left front kick. The pace has slowed as Gonzalez if following Zamorskis around the cage before connecting with two knees from the clinch. Zaromskis is still in this fight as he lands a crushing left spinning back fist. Gonzalez shoved Zaromskis to the ground as if to say, “I still control this fight.” Gonzalez controls ends the round controlling Zaromskis against the cage.
Entering round three and final, fatigue as set it but it appears Gonzalez still has some more in the gas tank. Zamorskis still has his hands up but his punches have slowed down although he still has a strong left kick. Zamorskis attempted a left head kick but is caught and taken to the ground against the cage. Zamorskis stands up and holds on to a single leg but Gonzalez refuses to go down and escapes. Zamorskis is still throwing elbows and kicks but they aren’t having much effect on Gonzalez. The two are still banging it out in the center of the cage but at a much slower pace and Zamorskis gets his first take down of the night with 10 seconds left in the fight.
The winner of this contest by unanimous decision and advancing his career to 23-13, Fernando Gonzalez.
Light Heavyweights (205 lbs): Houston Alexander (16-10) vs. Virgil Zwicker (12-4)
This light heavyweight rematch is underway and the local fans are with Zwicker. Both men are feeling each other out as Zwicker attempts a spinning back kick, but Alexander shoots in taking him down and begins throwing punches to the midsection against the cage. Alexander is controlling the top position with a side mount against the cage but Zwicker is holding on. Zwicker bucks and rolls to get on his feet, but has a cut over his left eye. Zwicker rocks Alexander with a left hand to end round one.
Round two has begun and both fighters are feeling each other out a bit before Alexander throws a right hook to the body, but Zwicker answers back with right cross of his down. Zwicker lands a flying knee and hip tosses Alexander to the ground, landing in a half-guard. Alexander attemps to stand up but eats a right uppercut. The crowd is changing Virgil-Virgil-Virgil as the hometown favorite looks to be be willing this round. Alexander bulldozes over Zwicker ending up in the guard, ending the round with Alexander on top.
In the third and final round we see Alexander stand off with a 1:2 combination to Zwicker’s body. Zwicker goes low with a right kick as Alexander goes high with a right. Zwicker is throwing more low kicks. They’ve managed to remain standing for half this round as Alexander has reopened the cut over Zwicker’s eye. With 20 seconds left both men swing for the fences, but Alexander takes Zwicker’s back with only 3 seconds left in the round. The crowd feels that Zwicker has taken this fight.
Your winner by split-decision and advancing to 13-4, Virgil Zwicker!
Featherweights: Georgi Karakhanyan (23-4) vs. Bubba Jenkins (8-1)
Karakhanyan makes his return against Jenkins, who lands a few strikes before being elevated and slammed with a double leg. Karakhanyan immediately pulls guard attempting a guillotine choke but Jenkins fights his way back to standing. Karakhanyan getts another guillotine and chokes out Jenkins in the first round!
The winner by guillotine choke at 1:49 of the very first round advancing to 24-4 and to face the winner of Straus vs Pitbull for the title, Georgi Karakhanyan!
Karakhanyan said about the fight, “I know this is a business, but I just have that Russian mentality. You don’t talk about my family…I’m very excited that I’m getting a title shot. I’d love to fight Patricio and get my revenge, but we’ll see if he can get past Straus.”
Featherweight World Title: Challenger, Daniel Straus (23-5) vs. Champion, Patricio Pitbull (22-2)
The first of five rounds and the fighters are feeling each other out, both men respect each others skill set. The found has picked up with an exchange of kicks as Pitbull near pushes Straus to the cage begins to tee off, but the challenger answers back and the pace has slowed after a right kick to the groin by Pitbull resulting in a warning by Big John McCarthy. The round comes to a close with Straus landing an overhand left.
Round two kicks up the pace a little but this time it is Straus that lands another crotch shot and is warned by Big John. After recovering Pitbull comes out swinging but Straus seems to have the answer as each combatant has studied the other. Pitbull claiming to be poked in the eye, which after the second illegal move McCarthy has taken a point away from Straus. Pitbull is able to take Straus down with a single leg and after the scramble is in the sprawl position over Straus. Straus now takes the champion down as the crowd beings a U-S-A chant before the champion is able to stand up. the round comes to an end as Straus takes the champion’s back.
Round three and the pace has been the same, each man feeling the other one out before trying to throw the big bombs. Straus lands a huge left kick to the body. Straus is taking charge this round as he’s landing more combinations and body shots against the champion, but Pitbull is answering back. he wants to retain that title. The lull of the crowd turns to cheers as the challenger has become the aggressor. Straus lands a kick to the head, shoots in for a double leg but ends up on his back with Pitbull holding on to a front face lock. The champion tired for a mount but Straus was able to stand up. Straus takes the champion down before the round ends.
Round four and we are in the championship rounds. Straus rushes the champion pressing him against the cage and after a few body blows, they change position. Straus fights his way off the cage and they stand toe-to-toe in the center of the cage. Straus is looking another kick but Pitbull is leading the the left jab. Straus rocks the champion and drives him back to the cage, but again Pitbull switches position to take cage control. Pitbull’s right eye is cut as the two let their hands fly. Pitbull kneed Straus in the family jewels before pouncing. Big John stops the action and Straus is trying to recover. The crowd is chanting for Big John to take a point away from the champion. The fight is back on and Pitbull’s eye is severely damaged. Straus is aiming for that eye as Straus has created a bull’s eye. Pitbull returns to his jiu-jitsu skills, takes the challenger down and is looking to take Straus’ back.
You’re winner by way of tap out via a rear naked choke at 4:49 of the fourth round and still Bellator Featherweight World Champion, Patricio Pitbull!
After the fight Karakhanyan steps into the cage to greet the champion and accept the challenge.
