411's Bellator 52 Report 10.01.11
Posted by Wyatt Beougher on 10.01.2011
Bellator Fighting Championships held their 52nd show tonight, featuring the four quarterfinal match-ups of their Season 5 Heavyweight Tournament! Check out 411's complete report for all the details!
Welcome to 411's Live Bellator 52 coverage, and thank you for joining us!
I know most everyone was watching the UFC on Versus show tonight, but if you didn't flip back and forth, you missed an amazing night of fights. What Bellator's heavyweight division make lack in overall talent compared to the UFC's, they more than make up for in heart (and conditioning). Eight big guys stepped into the cage tonight, and they poured it on for the duration of their fights, anywhere from from 2 minutes to 15, and they were still swinging for the fences in that final minute. Just a great, great night of fights. If you enjoy what I did or have suggestions on how to make it better, leave me a comment here or on my TWITTER.
INTRODUCTION:
Bellator emanated tonight from the L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana, with the quarterfinal round of the Bellator Season 5 heavyweight tournament!
PRELIMINARY CARD RESULTS:
*Matt Van Buren defeated Nick Nichols via TKO (Punches, Rd. 2, 2:29)
*Justin Frazier defeated Liron Wilson via TKO (Punches, Rd. 1, 1:50)
*Genair da Silva defeated Bryan Goldsby via Submission (Brabo choke, Rd. 1, 3:51)
*Josh Quayhagen defeated Cosmo Alexander via Unanimous Decision (30-27 x3)
MAIN CARD MATCHES:
Heavyweight Quarterfinal Fight: MARK HOLATA versus RON SPARKS
ROUND ONE: Touch of the gloves and we're off! Holata with a left that doesn't connect. Both guys respecting the other's power as they're hesitant to engage. Sparks with a big left, they circle, and Holata presses Sparks against the cage. Couple knees from Holata and they disengage. Both guys throwing combinations, Holata with a lead left hook and a leg kick. Sparks looks comfortable taking Holata's shots, Sparks with a big combo, Holata down, Sparks pounces, and the fight is over!
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Ron Sparks by KO (Rd 1, 1:24)
Heavyweight Quarterfinal Fight: ABE WAGNER versus ERIC PRINGLE
ROUND ONE: Touch of the gloves and Wagner misses a right. Prindle with a front kick, and he mauls Wagner a bit. They clinch and break without much damage. Prindle with a couple of shots, looks for another kick, and Wagner catches it and puts Prindle on his back. Wagner in side control but not doing much. Wagner works a few light shots to the body and then steps over into mount. Wagner with shots in the mount, Prindle trying to fight back from his back, turns, and Wagner looks to take his back. Prindle has other ideas and twists to put Wagner on his back. Wagner closes guard, but Prindle works a couple of heavy shots against the cage. Wagner with a grazing illegal upkick, Prindle shakes it off without a pause, and they continue. Prindle stands up, Wagner tries a couple of upkicks that miss, Prindle drops back down. Prindle throws some heavy shots, Wagner with an armbar attempt, and Prindle rolls free. They roll for a minute and Wagner invites Prindle back to the feet. Prindle landing some shots, but Wagner backs off. Prindle with another front kick, but Wagner throws a nice combination that rocks Prindle. Wagner pounces, throws a knee, but Prindle stays up. Prindle fighting back, lands a knee, but Wagner backs off. They move forward but the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Wagner for more effective striking and the takedown
ROUND TWO: Prindle throws a shot, misses, and Wagner ties Prindle's arms up. Wagner looking for the trip takedown, but Prindle using his weight effectively to prevent it. Finally they break. Prindle again with the pump kick. Prindle lands a couple good shots, Wagner backs up. Wagner with a shot that stuns Prindle. Prindle with a clubbing left and a leg kick. Prindle swinging for the fences, Wagner with a nice shot, Prindle misses the counter. Wagner looks for the shot, Prindle stuffs it and presses Wagner to the cage and lands a shot to Wagner's ribs. Prindle with another leg kick and a body lock. Prindle looks for a trip and they break. Exchanging and both men looking for the finish. Prindle NAILS Wagner and Wagner only able to stay standing because he's hanging onto Prindle. Prindle into mount, looks for the side choke (?), Wagner out, Prindle back into side control and looking for a key lock, but Wagner is again able to escape. Wagner to his knees, and Prindle locks in an anaconda, only to let it go. Wagner to his knees, but Prindle pushes him to his back. Wagner looking for an ankle lock and Prindle applies his own to counter. Prindle steps over to get free and Wagner looks for a heel hook. Prindle doesn't appear to be concerned as the bell sounds.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Prindle, 19-19 overall (great fight thus far compared to last weekend's UFC heavyweight fights, but these guys both look exhausted)
ROUND THREE: Touch of the gloves and they trade. Wagner with a couple solid shots to Prindle's face. Prindle with an inside leg kick. Wagner works a combination, Prindle with a wild haymaker. Prindle with a push kick and a body lock. Prindle looking to use his weight for a takedown, but it fails. Prindle with a left hook, Wagner with a right hand, and they trade shots. Wagner with a takedown attempt, Prindle lays out and moves into side control, working the short punches. Prindle with a HUGE right hand. Prindle just holding Wagner down with pure brute strength, spins back into side control. Prindle lands another shot, back to working the short rights to Wagner's head. Prindle working enough hammerfists to keep the fight from being stood up. Prindle with a big right, Wagner pushes him off momentarily, but Prindle back on top. Prindle looking to step over into mount, and he gets it. Prindle tries to tee off, but Wanger bucks him, Prindle with a chinlock, back into mount. Prindle tees off, but Wagner is defending. Every time Prindle tries to go to town, Wagner bucks and he is finally able to get free and into Prindle's guard and works some brief ground and pound from guard until the bell rings.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Prindle, for the 29-28 win
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Eric Prindle, Unanimous Decision (29-28x3)
Heavyweight Quarterfinal Fight: BLAGOI IVANOV versus ZAK JENSEN
ROUND ONE: Touch of the gloves and they circle. Jensen with a head kick, checked by Ivanov. Ivanov with an inside leg kick, two strong left hands, and Jensen ties it up. Ivanov with a nice trip takedown and he steps into full mount. Jensen ties him up effectively, and in an attempt to get free, Ivanov gives up mount and is in Jensen's half guard. Ivanov attempts to pass but Jensen powers out and into top position on a seated Ivanov against the cage. Back to their feet and Jensen catches Ivanov, but Ivanov is landing two crisp shots for every wild punch Jensen throws. Jensen looks for the takedown and they go to their knees, but they're back up. Ivanov teeing off on Jensen, who looks hurt, but Jensen starts returning and throws a spinning back kick. Ivanov landing almost at will, Jensen with a leg kick, and Ivanov just keeps nailing Jensen in the chin. Jensen coming forward and they trade. Ivanov is landing literally EVERY punch he throws, but Jensen just keeps coming. Ivanov landing the right hook over the top at will, Jensen with a push kick, and he reaches for a big right, but Ivanov backs off as the round ends.
SCORECARD: 10-9 Ivanov for the far more accurate striking
ROUND TWO: Jensen comes forward, Ivanov backing up. Ivanov looks to throw, but Jenson with the over-under lock-up. Jensen tries to muscle Ivanov, but Ivanov with the outside trip into side control. Ivanov with a knee on Jensen's midsection and looking for the keylock. Ivanov steps over into mount and is CRANKING on the keylock. Jensen manages to get free and Ivanov just goes to work on Jensen's face until Jensen locks up his body. Ivanov gets free and nails Jensen with more shots to the face. Ivanov into a front facelock on their knees, Jensen bulls up, and Ivanov sinks in the guillotine until Jensen literally goes to sleep.
Heavyweight Quarterfinal Fight: MIKE HAYES versus NEIL GROVE
ROUND ONE: Neil Grove looks like Simon Pegg on steroids. No glove touch and we're underway. Hayes with an inside leg kick, staying on the outside. Hayes throws a right to the breadbasket, misses, Grove throws a nice kick, returned by Hayes. Grove with another leg kick and they feint. Hayes working the outside leg kicks and good movement. Grove looking to move in and time Hayes. Grove with a big leg kick, Hayes keeps looking to stick and move, throwing a couple of jabs at the air. Hayes feigns in and backs off after drawing a punch from Grove. Grove with another big kick. Hayes keeps working the shadowboxing and Grove keeps landing leg kicks. Finally Hayes lands back-to-back kicks and ducks a punch from Grove and spins away. Hayes with a right, caught by Grove. Hayes showing good movement, Grove standing stock still. Grove lands a punch, Hayes with a body lock and a takedown, but Grove powers back to his feet. Hayes with a left to the stomach and Grove looks to connect but Hayes avoids. Grove with a big push kick to Hayes' stomach. Hayes with some glancing punches and kicks as the round ends.
SCORECARD: Grove, 10-9, for landing the more solid shots
ROUND TWO: Hayes lands a kick and looks for a follow-up punch, but Grove counters, forcing Hayes to spin away. Hayes with a leg kick that misses, and Grove moves forward, backing Hayes up. Grove with a spinning back kick that glances Hayes, who circles and looks to throw a left hook. Hayes with another left to the midsection, then a jab to the face and a outside leg kick, answered by Grove. Hayes tentatively throws and is met with a decent punch by Grove. Grove with a wicked leg kick and a follow-up left. Hayes backs off and looks to work from the outside again, landing a thigh kick and then a low kick. Grove with a solid kick to Hayes' ribs, feints a left and throws a right that lands, but not solidly. Hayes reaches for a jab that glances Grove, who answers with a solid left. Hayes with an outside leg kick to the thigh, Grove counters with an inside leg kick after a few seconds. Hayes with a push kick, they tie up momentarily, and then break. Hayes with a high kick and backs off. Grove with a push kick of his own, and Hayes looks to work the body again. Hayes with another thigh kick, caught by Grove, and he lands a solid left to Hayes head as the round ends.
SCORECARD: Hayes, 10-9, 19-19 overall
ROUND THREE: Touch of the gloves and we're off. More hesitation from both men. Hayes with an inside leg kick and they're back to circling. Hayes with a right to the midsection and back to the outside. Grove with the lead left and tries a flurry, landing a few, but Hayes back out. Grove swarms him again and lands a knee from the Thai clinch, but Hayes picks up the takedown. Hayes in side control, Grove tries to cage walk, but Hayes is holding him down and working some short shots to Grove's head. Scrambling, but Hayes retains control and into the north-south position. Grove rolls to his stomach, Hayes in a front facelock, spins onto Grove's back and looks to get the hooks in. Grove looks for a leg lock, but he's out of position and Hayes gets the hooks in. Hayes landing some short lefts as he looks for the rear naked choke. Hayes lets a hook slip out and Grove into Hayes' open guard. Hayes controlling Grove's body but Grove lands a few rights to the body before posturing up for a minute and landing a couple of shots to Hayes' face. Hayes ties him up again, Grove goes for a footlock, and Mike Hayes ends up on top. Hayes with a keylock, but Grove is able to slip out. Hayes with hammerfists to the body and then lefts to the head as the bell sounds, ending the fight.
SCORECARD: Close round, but I give it to Hayes, 10-9, for the 29-28 victory. I could see it going either way, though.
OFFICIAL RESULT: WINNER – Mike Hayes, Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Thanks for coming along with me tonight as I did the play-by-play. Thanks to the Csonk for again giving me the opportunity to do live coverage. It's actually a blast to do, even if I do drive myself crazy about what action I'm missing while I'm typing. The last fight started off slow, but ended strong, and this was, from top to bottom, an AMAZING card. Polar opposite of the UFC Heavyweight fights last weekend.
Any and all constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, so leave me a comment here or on my previously linked Twitter (up at the top). Thanks again and I'll see you on Tuesday for FIVE QUICK ROUNDS!
