Bellator 123 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Marvin Maldonado vs. Rico DiSciullo

Round 1

Lots of different positions and moving around here in the opening frame. Both fighters have notched a takedown to start the bout. Rico DiSciullo wound up on top for the final three minutes of the round, opening up Maldonado. Elbows to the liver were prominent also. 10-9 Disciullo.

Round 2

The round opens with Maldonado swinging for the fences, looking for the finish. He presses his opponent against the cage but Disciullo is able to work a throw and get the takedown. From inside Maldonado’s guard Disciullo throws short elbows, looking to open the cut on Maldonado’s forehead further. Crowd chanting for Disciullo now, this seems to awaken Disciullo as he opens up and starts throwing big glancing shots, but they aren’t landing flush. Maldonado tried to isolate the right arm of Disciullo, but he is able to writhe free. Disciullo postures up and throws hammerfists that are now landing, Maldonado rises to his feet, holding onto a leg, looking for a takedown. Elbow strikes from Disciullo break the hold and he winds up in top position for the second time in the round. This second round is much more decisive for Disciullo. Maldonado is now bleeding heavily from the head, he gives up his back as the round ends. 10-9 Disciullo.

Round 3

Maldonado’s corner does a great job of patching him up in between rounds. Although they do tell him to shoot for the takedown, when he clearly needs a finish. Maldonado opens up the round shooting for the takedown but it’s sprawled nicely. Disciullo picking his spots here, throwing a superman punch, that narrowly misses. Disciullo comes in with two big right hands that miss, opening up an opportunity for Maldonado to score the takedown. He scores, Disciullo manages to get to his knees, Maldonado transfers to the back, holding on. Disciullo throws two big reverse elbows that draw roars from those in attendance. Disciullo throws his momentum and winds up on top of Maldonado, who in response meekly attempts an armbar. Disciullo isn’t throwing as many strikes from the top position as earlier in the fight, but it’s Maldonado’s job to get upright here. Strong closed guard here from Maldonado to end the fight, in the final second Disciullo opens up emphatically, likely cruising to a decision victory. 10-9 Discuillo (30-27).

The Official Result

Rico DiSciullo Def. Marvin Maldonado Decision (Unanimous) [30-27, 30-27, 30-27] R3 5:00

Steve Garcia vs. Kin Moy

Round 1

Kin Moy catches Steve Garcia with a left hook at Garcia throws a big leg kick. The reach of Garcia seems to be a large advantage here early. Moy leads with a leg kick and follows with an overhand left that misses. Moy lands a kick to the body but eats a shot for his efforts. Superman punch from Garcia lands, but Moy catches Garcia with big shot that wobbles the taller fighter. Moy doing a great job of taking the fight to the inside, exploiting the range. Moy is showing a cut around the eye area, Garcia scores a takedown against the cage. Moy is right back up to his feet, landing knees from the inside. Garcia throws a big head kick that comes close but Moy is able to get his hands up. Big leg kick from Moy, followed by a left hook that lands on the chin. Another good left hand from Moy scores. A knee from Garcia makes it through, but Moy comes right back, landing some good shots as the round closes. 10-9 Moy.

Round 2

Big left hook from Garcia opens the second round, but he pays the price, eating a shot from Moy on the inside. Moy throws a head kick, it lands, Garcia catches his leg on the way down and scores the take down. Moy doing strong work from the bottom, looking to isolate Garcia’s arm. Moy staying very active from the bottom, throwing elbows to the top of Garcia’s head. Moy gets back to his feet, throwing a left hand right over the top and scoring. Garcia isn’t getting his hands up in time to block the blows. Now a good sequence from Garcia is followed up by a flurry from Moy. Sensing danger, Garcia instinctively shoots and scores the takedown. Moy’s cut has remained a non-factor in the second round, but is now bleeding in the final minute. Garcia lands a few hammerfists, then gets swept by Moy. As they stand Garcia eats a low blow via left knee. Unintentional knee, Garcia taking his time to recover. Both men throw a flurry to end the round, Garcia seems to get the worst of it, wobbling as the bell sounds. 10-9 Garcia.

Round 3

Moy opens Garcia up right off the bat, Garcia is bleeding heavily from his hairline. Moy is teeing off, pressing Garcia against the cage and transitioning into the takedown. Garcia immediately assumes position for a triangle choke, working hard from the rubber guard. Moy throwing punches while his neck dangerously remains in triangle choke limbo. Moy almost mechanically just throwing right punches, repeatedly hitting Garcia in the temple. Garcia still in position to secure the triangle choke, but doesn’t seem to have Moy in imminent danger. Moy continues to throw right hands, now alternating with knees to the body. Garcia is a bloody mess, has spent the duration of the third round on his back. Now elbows coming down from the top by Moy. The right hand is relentless from Moy. The round ends with Moy in the triangle choke, Garcia tries to sink it in as the round closes. It's revealed by instant replay that Garcia was opened up by an accidental clash of heads. 10-9 Moy (29-28) Moy.

The Official Result

Steve Garcia Def. Kin Moy Decision (Split) [30-27, 29-28, 28-29] R3 5:00

Mike Wessel vs. Josh Diekmann

Round 1

Diekmann rocks Wessel with a left hand right off the bat, dropping the heavyweight. Wessel survives, holding on for dear life. Diekmann rocks Wessel again, this time Wessel falls flat on his back, Diekmann attempting to follow with the huge shot. Diekmann comes in to finish, Dan Miragliotta watching really closely. Now Wessel back to his feet, eats a knee, then two shots flush to the chin, ending the proceedings. Just a brutal knockout, making it 11 straight wins by knockout for Diekmann.

The Official Result

Josh Diekmann Def. Mike Wessel KO (Punches) R1 0:47

Scott Cleve vs. Matt Bessette

Round 1

Cleve eats a knee as he scores the takedown. Cleve attempting to secure the back of Bessette, but Bessette avoids. Cleve keeping very little distance between himself and Bessette, not allowing Bessette to breath. Cleve is utilizing his jiu-jitsu skills to pass through the guard, not gassing himself out with offense from the top position. Bessette is in half guard, suddenly attempts the kimura, but fails. Good grappling display here from both men, Bessette finally manages to stand with a little over 90 seconds remaining. Cleve grabs the back of Bessette, holding on and maintaining control to end the round. 10-9 Cleve.

Round 2

Bessette lands a head kick as the second round opens up. Bessette doing a much better job of anticipating and avoiding the takedown. Another big head kick makes it through, Cleve doesn’t like that and presses his opponent against the cage. They remain against the cage, Bessette attempts a head and arm choke, but it fails. They separate and engage from the center of the cage. Big uppercut attempt from Bessette narrowly misses. Now Cleve comes through with a left hook. Both men grab hold of body locks as the fight moves back against the steel mesh. Short knees on the inside from Cleve. They separate again, Bessette using the jab to set up the combination. Another failed uppercut attempt from Bessette. 10-9 Bessette.

Round 3

Aggression from both men to open the third and final round. Bessette misses with a punch and Cleve parlays the mishap into a takedown. Cleve smothering his opponent, but Bessette wriggles free, stands up for a moment then is taken right back down. Both underhooks locked in for Cleve, he has his back. Bessette throws a downward elbow that seems to hurt Cleve. The grappling is the difference thus far in the third. Bessette is desperate to separate, he is able to with two minutes remaining. Bessette coming forward, but his shots aren’t landing. Cleve uses a level change for a brief takedown. Overhand right from Cleve scores. Now Bessette comes back with his first takedown of the fight, he immediately begins working for a crucifix, but Cleve powers his way through for a takedown of his own. 10-9 Cleve (29-28 Cleve).

The Official Result

Scott Cleve Def. Matt Bessette Decision (Unanimous) [30-27, 29-28, 29-28] R3 5:00

Perry Filkins vs. Dan Cramer

Round 1

Filkins shoots for a takedown but runs out of room against the cage. Cramer powers out but eats a shot on his way out. Filkins doing all he can to get the takedown, but Cramer is managing to stay upright. Cramer now successfully lands a trip and gets the first takedown of the fight. Cramer is on top, but he is bleeding all over his opponent from the dominant position. Cramer landing shots from the top, nothing too crazy, but doing enough to avoid being stood up by referee Todd Anderson. Left elbow lands from Cramer. Closing seconds see Cramer land a couple shots. 10-9 Cramer.

Round 2

There was an accidental headbutt in the first round that opened Filkins up on the head. Cramer circling on the outskirts of the cage. Todd Anderson calls time, cutting a string off from Cramer’s glove. Cramer lands a jab then right hook combination. Cramer remains on the outside of the cage, picking his spots. Two jabs thrown by Cramer followed by a knee that misses. Filkins lands a big overhand left that wobbles Cramer. Cramer feels this, immediately shoots for the takedown and is successful. Cramer maintains top position for the remainder of the round. 10-9 Cramer.

Round 3

Filkins stalking Cramer early. Cramer flips the script on Filkins, pressing him against the cage, but eats a shot. Filkins again turns the tables and presses Cramer against the cage, both men seem to be suffering from a bit of adrenaline dump. Cramer manages to push his opponent away, landing the jab with more frequency. Time called by Anderson, he verbally warns Filkins about his shots to the body being too low. Filkins trying to open up now, throwing big shots, looking for a knockout. Cramer slowing down the pace, doing what he can to tie Filkins up and remain away from the big punches. Filkins catches Cramer with a shot, sending Cramer stepping backwards, but Cramer immediately ties him up again. Filkins gets a flash takedown, but Cramer is back up right away. The two trade in the center of the cage as the fight ends. 10-9 Filkins (29-28 Cramer).

The Official Result

Dan Cramer Def. Perry Filkins Decision (Unanimous [29-28, 30-27, 30-27] R3 5:00

Lavar Johnson vs. Cheick Kongo

Round 1

Lavar Johnson comes inside with shots that rock Cheick Kongo. Johnson doing his best to follow up, but Kongo somehow manages to weather the storm and garner a takedown. Kongo has Johnson wedged against the cage, isolating Johnson’s arms and looking to land the right hand. Kongo has now writhed his way to full mount, if he postures upright, he will be able to land heavy shots. Instead of posturing, Kongo suddenly attempts a key lock, Johnson muscles out of it. Now Kongo is pounding the body of Johnson, taking the air out of his opponent. Kongo is putting all his weight down on Johnson, now throwing elbows from the inside. Todd Anderson is not stepping in due to Kongo staying very busy here. Johnson stands, Kongo transitions quickly and locks in a deep rear-naked choke. Johnson wastes no time tapping out, smart fight there from Kongo.

The Official Result

Cheick Kongo Def. Lavar Johnson Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 3:27

Josh Burns vs. Bobby Lashley

Round 1

Lashley lands two shots to open the bout. Burns already looks rocked by the punches. Burns throws a knee, Lashley immediately shoots for the takedown and is successful. He wastes no time and starts using his brute strength to secure a key-lock on the left arm of Burns. Lashley is not able to successfully finish the submission. Lashley goes back to the key-lock, Burns gives a thumbs up but is visibly grimacing. Burns is now cut on the top of his head from a sharp downward elbow strike. Lashley just dominating from top position, Burns not even trying to stand up. Lashley is figure-fouring his hands and still going for the key-lock submission, but isn’t able to garner a finish. Now Lashley steps over Burns and begins working a kimura, Burns is weathering these submissions as well as he can. Lashley also doing a good job of pacing himself. Now Lashley postures upright and lands some heavy ground and pound. 10-9 Lashley.

Round 2

Lashley pawing at Burns who looks hesitant to engage early in the second. Lashley is doing a good job with the jab. Lashley winds up getting a takedown, the two men fall in the center of the cage and the TNA Wrestling champion enters side control. Lashley steps over Burns’ gut and winds up in full mount. Lashley being methodical, short punches, forearms. Burns turns over, Lashley begins exploding with the punches, looking for the finish. Burns gets to his feet, latches onto the back of Burns and secures the rear-naked choke for the finish. It’s all over.

The Official Result

Bobby Lashley Def. Josh Burns Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 3:54

Tamdan McCrory vs. Brennan Ward

Round 1

Ward comes out wielding the right hand, landing one right behind the ear of McCrory. But Tamdan McCrory lands a left, right hook combination that knocks Ward out cold on the mat. McCrory steps away before Jason Herzog even steps in to wave off the fight.

The Official Result

Tamdan McCrory Def. Brennan Ward TKO (Punches) R1 0:21

Muhammed Lawal vs. Dustin Jacoby

Round 1

Jacoby throwing the left jab early. Mo goes right for the single-leg takedown and scores. Jacoby throwing from his back as Mo comes down on top of him with a big shot. Lawal showing a big advantage in the wrestling game already. Hammerfists from Mo in the top position. Jacoby manages to stand up, Mo goes right back to the grappling, Jacoby throws an elbow that lands, Mo follows up with a shot that takes Jacoby to the mat. Mo immediately pressures, but Jacoby is able to get back to his feet again. Crowd audibly cheering for Jacoby here in the first round. Lawal swings wildly but misses by a large amount. Mo lands an uppercut after a swing and a miss from Jacoby. Mo eats a jab then does a little jig that draws boos from the audience. Mo shoots buts it’s sprawled by Jacoby. 10-9 Lawal.

Round 2

Mo catches Jacoby flush to open the second round. Now he follows with a huge overhand right, Lawal smells blood, going for the finish. John McCarthy is close, the crowd is roaring awaiting a finish, Mo bringing the shots, right after right looking for a finish. McCarthy steps in, he has seen enough. Mo with the finish, then goes on to tell the crowd to suck it with the good ol’ D-generation-X crotch chop.

The Official Result

Muhammed Lawal Def. Dustin Jacoby TKO (Punches) R2 1:13

Pat Curran vs. Patricio Freire

Round 1

Freire scores first with a jab up top, then follows with a stiff leg kick. Both men very subdued early. Curran came in for a takedown, slipped and Pitbull tried to take advantage, landing two shots as Curran retreated. The pair throw shots in unison and Curran wobbles backward. Curran comes inside with a one, two combination but misses. An accidental low-blow momentarily stops the action, but they resume immediately. Pitbull scores the first takedown of the fight, but Curran is right back to his feet. Curran brushes his opponent off and they take the center of the cage. 10-9 Pitbull.

Round 2

Curran slips again to open the second round, again Pitbull looks to take advantage but the champion is back up to his feet. Pitbull the aggressor with the punches here, darting inside to land his shots. Freire going back to the leg kicks, but Curran comes inside with the clinch and lands a stiff knee to the gut. Pitbull catches Curran with a shot that rocks the champion, dropping him to the mat. Pitbull comes in for the finish but Curran survives. Now Curran retaliates with a shot, landing a knee to the head, followed by a punch to the head. The pace slows as both men likely recuperate. Curran lands a flying knee as the round closes. 10-9 Pitbull.

Round 3

Freire taking the center of the cage to open the third. Curran catches the challenger with a stiff jab. Pitbull lands a leg kick but eats a two-punch combination for his efforts. Freire still coming forward with his punches. The pace is slowing here, Curran trying his best to establish his jab, he rocks Curran, dropping him again. Pitbull turns it on, going full-bore for the finish, but Curran again manages to weather the storm and survive. Freire does a good job of calming down and not punching himself out. That really looked like it was the end of the fight, Curran bounced back from absolute darkness. Curran showing some signs of wear and tear, slowing down and his feet seem not fully rooted to the mat. Pitbull easily dodges a takedown attempt from Curran. The champion shoots again but isn’t successful. 10-9 Pitbull.

Round 4

Curran coming out with some urgency in the first of two championship rounds. Curran lands a big right hook, Pitbull eats it. Curran continuing to press the pace here in the fourth. A left-right combination lands for Freire. A bit of a lull here, not too much going on. Freire seems confident with his position on the cards, while Curran seems to feel like he is on the losing end. Curran still doing a majority of the striking work, Freire answers with a big left hand that lands flush. Curran brushes it off. They both stand on the inside and trade, they step away to end the fourth. 10-9 Curran.

Round 5

Curran comes out guns blazing here in the fifth. Freire shoots for the quick takedown and scores. He has a full body lock as Curran tries edging himself to the cage. Curran sweeps himself over Pitbull and winds up on top for a second, before both rising up and Pitbull taking the fight to the ground again. They stand in the center of the cage, hands low, Curran’s coaches begging for him to keep his hands up. Freire landing more here, but the punches aren’t doing too much damage. The two trade leg kicks, Freire eats a two-punch combination and comes right back with a left-hook. Pitbull walking forward, Curran comes with an uppercut. But Freire throws a shot that wobbles Curran. He hurt the champion. Again Curran manages to survive, Freire is in control here, Curran’s face a bloody mess. Another big right hand from Pitbull who is going for the finish, he suddenly drops down and shoots for the takedown. Pitbull lands a shot to end the fight that nearly takes the champion’s head off. Pitbull 10-9 (49-46 Pitbull).

The Official Result

Patricio Freire Def. Pat Curran Decision (Unanimous) [48-47, 49-46, 49-46] R5 5:00