2. L.C. Davis vs. Hideo Tokoro | Bellator 135 (March 27, 2015)
How one ranks this fight is all down to criteria. The 34-year-old Davis and 37-year-old Tokoro were solid bantamweights but past their primes and neither was a serious contender for the Bellator crown, despite their 2015 bantamweight division not holding a candle to what it is now in 2023. It wasn't a big fight and was the only the co-main of one of Bellator's smaller events in Thackerville, Oklahoma, nothing more. And yet, in terms of entertainment, it was spectacular. As soon as the bell rang, Tokoro dashed across the cage to deliver a flying knee. It was not as successful as the one Jorge Masvidal threw against Ben Askren several years later, but it was a sign of the madness to come. Both men threw caution to the wind with their striking in the first round; Davis because he didn't fear Tokoro's stand-up and Tokoro because he was a madman. For the vast majority of the round, this strategy did not pay off for the Japanese fighter. Davis repeatedly landed his long left cross, with Tokoro's blows paling in comparison. Tokoro briefly got Davis down on a nice spinning single-leg, but Davis instantly regained his feet. A heel hook attempt by Tokoro was easily avoided, too. However, with just over 20 seconds left, the creativity bore fruit, as Tokoro threw a spinning backfist that connects hard, dropping Davis to his butt. It was Davis who then panic-wrestled as the thrilling first round ended. Davis recovered by Round 2, staying smart and technical, connecting with leg kicks and more left crosses while avoiding Tokoro's offense. Now Tokoro's ingenuity backfired, as a random jumping knee ended with Davis plastering the Japanese fighter with a right hook across the chin, dropping and badly hurting him. Tokoro survived thanks to a heel hook that forced Davis to defend. They grappled along the cage, and with just under two minutes left, Davis crushed Tokoro with another right hook in the clinch, badly hurting him again. Davis made a tactical mistake staying in the clinch rather than separating to finish off his foe, though he did land a few powerful elbows to the head. Undeterred, Tokoro went for yet another inverted heel hook with 30 seconds left, his best attempt yet, though Davis managed to defend.
As the final stanza began, it appeared that Davis had re-established control and would cruise to a clear victory. However, that hope was shattered in just 15 seconds as Tokoro landed a short right cross that dropped the American. Davis panic wrestled again and Tokoro obliged, landing on top in half-guard. Tokoro briefly got mount and landed a nice elbow to the head before making a big mistake himself, relying on his instincts as a submission grappler and instantly attempting an armbar rather than working more brutal ground-and-pound. Davis expected the submission attempts and rolled well with it, soon shaking Tokoro off. In the ensuing madness, Tokoro landed with an upkick while one of Davis' knees was seemingly down, prompting referee Jason Herzog to call a halt to the action. However, replays showed that both of Davis' knees were off the canvas, making the strike perfectly legal. Action resumed on the feet and Davis again boxed Tokoro up, scoring a steady diet of jabs and crosses. Tokoro retaliated with a monster head kick that again caused Davis to clinch. Perhaps feeling they were neglecting the grappling, a series of wild ground exchanges ensued, with Tokoro going for a kimura from his back and then another armbar attempt. Davis then tried a guillotine, but Tokoro acrobatically flipped forward out of it. More crazy wrestling scrambles and transitions occurred until out of nowhere, Tokoro again found himself in full mount with only 35 seconds remaining. He again gave in to his instincts and tried for a kimura, though this one was his best attempt yet, really torquing Davis' arm. However, Davis was too strong and wrenched himself free. With the crowd in pandemonium, Davis went for another guillotine with 10 seconds left, squeezing with all he had left as time ran out. The incredible battle finally ended, with no one sure who won. Personally, I scored it a draw, giving Tokoro Rounds 1 and 3 by scores of 10-9, and Davis Round 2 by a score of 10-8. However, it was Davis who won the split decision. In terms of the bigger picture, this wasn't a significant fight. Davis lost his next two fights and retired, and Tokoro competed as recently as New Year's Eve 2022, albeit with limited success. However, the fun this delivered to MMA fans is up there with any match in history.
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