Bellator 195 ‘Caldwell vs. Higo’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round-by-Round Scoring

Brian Grinnell vs. Justin Patterson

Round 1

Patterson closes the distance quickly and easily takes Grinnell down, setting up in full guard. Patterson starts to chip away, but Grinnell very quickly gets a figure four on the wrist and cranks a kimura. He wrenches it behind Patterson’s back, who reaches around his own body and grabs the caught arm to prevent any further damage. However, Grinnell keeps working the arm and then elevates “The Tactician,” sweeping into top position. Heavy head and shoulder pressure from Grinnell now as he tries to find an arm-triangle choke. As he tries to slip through half guard, Patterson bucks and rolls and briefly takes top position, but Grinnell keeps the side choke locked up and essentially just rolls over and is right back on top. Patterson frees himself, kicks Grinnell away and retakes his feet. Perhaps sensing he is losing the round, the southpaw Patterson rushes inside with a big left hook that just misses. Grinnell tries to grab Patterson and clinch up, but Patterson swims through his grip and drills him with a right knee to the body. Grinnell doesn’t hit the canvas, but he doubles over in obvious pain. Patterson rushes his compromised foe back to the fence and unloads with a series of hooks as Grinnell turns away, leaning into the fence and trying to regain his wherewithal. It doesn’t happen: Patterson keeps winging hooks on him and the bout is stopped with Grinnell still standing, but in obvious pain. Wicked body shot to set up the stoppage for the Texan.

The Official Result

Justin Patterson def. Brian Grinnell via TKO (Knee to the Body and Punches) R1 4:49

Fernando Gonzalez Trevino vs. Armando Servin

Round 1

Gonzalez begins the 175-pound contest by walking Servin down, but Servin is keeping his foe off of him by chopping away with low kicks with his lead leg. Gonzalez steps in with a heavy lead left hook, but Servin rips him right back with a pair of hooks. The southpaw Gonzalez wades in lazily with his hands down and eats a big left hook that stumbles him back. Servin rushes him immediately, unloading overhands and hooks with both hands until his he drops the American Kickboxing Academy fighter on his face with a left hook. Servin dives on top looking for the finish, smelling blood, but the San Jose-based Mexican gets to full guard and the minute he gets control of Servin’s upper body, swings his hips for an armbar. Gonzalez is belly down in a heartbeat and Servin yells out to referee Jacob Montalvo that he wants out. Wild and sudden finish for Fernando Gonzalez.

The Official Result

Fernando Gonzalez Trevino def. Armando Servin via Verbal Submission (Armbar) R1 2:24

Romero Cotton vs. Justin Reeser

Round 1

Cotton, a three-time Division II national wrestling champion, feints and shoots immediately, dumping Reeser on the mat and swiftly moving into side control. Hammerfists from Cotton. Cotton postures up and drops three enormous left-handed punches which Reeser just avoids eating. Reeser throwing his hips up looking for an inverted triangle, but Cotton shucks his legs and looks to move into a top crucifix. Short elbows from Cotton. Reeser shifts his hips, basically moving himself into the bottom of north-south position as Cotton drills him with elbows to the body. Reeser pushes off the fence and springs back to his feet nicely, but Cotton is all over him again. Reeser sprawls on Cotton’s first double-leg attempt, but Cotton drives him into the fence, sucks him down and steps over his legs, pinning Reeser to the cage while landing volleys of short hooks and uppercuts. Reeser tries to snake up the fence, but Cotton jumps on his back, sinking in one hook and riding his opponent while boxing his ears. Cotton sinks his second hook and tries to flatten Reeser out, but the bell stops his march towards a rear-naked choke. Easy 10-9 for Cotton.

Round 2

Reeser lands a few outside low kicks, the last of which stumbles Cotton up and prompts a clinch. Cotton can’t get the takedown immediately, so Reeser stands him up, drills him with a knee, then big left hook and a head kick. Cotton looks stunned and backs off for a second. Reeser rushes him but when the Mississippi native tries to follow up, he runs into a reactionary takedown from Cotton, who lands on top in full guard. Cotton postures up and lands a few nice punches, but it looks like he is winded and starting to slow down. Reeser opens his guard briefly, allowing Cotton to posture up and land two sharp punches. Reeser looks to attack again so once more, Cotton stands up and the American Kickboxing Academy fighter drops more clean punches, despite being visibly fatigued. All of a sudden, Reeser tries to shrimp away and exposes his back, allowing Cotton to get a leg ride on him with a single hook. Reeser seems to think that Cotton will pursue full back control, but instead, Cotton latches onto a rear-naked choke with swiftness. Reeser taps quickly, then bangs his fist off of the mat in frustration at his mistake.

The Official Result

Romero Cotton def. Justin Reeser via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 4:35

Cris Williams vs. Daniel Carey

Round 1

Carey leads with an inside leg kick, then both men alternate landing right roundhouse kicks upstairs. Williams continues marching forward and launching head kicks at Carey behind moving into the clinch. Williams overhooks and crossfaces Carey, while elbowing him to the thighs with the other arm. Hard left hand lands for Carey as he turns Williams around. Williams suddenly pulls guard, overhooking his Oklahoman opponent’s and trying to climb the ladder to lock up a triangle choke. “Sunshine” teases rubber guard for a moment, then simply works to get higher hip position. Williams looks for an armbar, but Carey postures up and punches his way out. Short elbows land for Carey. Williams tries to scoot back to the fence, perhaps looking to stand back up, but Carey corrals him and keeps him on the floor. Williams turns his hips for an armbar, but eats a few punches before “Lil Scary” yanks his arm free. Carey stands up out of Williams’ guard and kicks his legs from Ali-Inoki position until the bell. 10-9 Carey.

Round 2

Body kick-right cross lands for Carey quickly and when Williams tries to answer back with kicks of his own, Carey pushes him to the canvas, but doesn’t follow Williams down to the mat. More kicks exchanges by the featherweights, eventually prompting Williams to run into the clinch, trying to pull Carey to the mat from the body lock. The Oregonian, once again, pulls guard but Carey simply stands back up and they resume the same kick-heavy standup exchanges. Carey goes low with his kick while Williams looks upstairs, knocking his man off balance. Williams look for a single-leg along the fence and Carey grabs the fence, so referee Jason Herzog admonishes him and resets them in the same position. Williams actually gets Carey down this time and when the Oklahoman tries to scarmble up, Williams gets back control with both hooks along the fence. Williams tries to climb his legs up from the back and trap Carey’s arms. Williams gets too aggressive though, allowing Carey to explode, turn and face his man, winding up back in full guard with just under 90 seconds left in the round. Carey grinds on him briefly, then stands up and tells Williams to retake his feet. Jabs land for both men, but Carey dings a charging Williams with a clean knee. Williams keeps kicking as Carey tries to jab him away, then the bell goes. 10-9 Williams.

Round 3

Carey doubles his jab, snapping WIlliams’ head back, then tackling him to the canvas briefly before letting “Sunshine” stand back up. Carey gets too aggressive when they resume standing, and walks right into a double-leg takedown from Williams. Once again, Williams is able to quickly dive onto Carey’s back, but even with two hooks in, he is too high on the back of “Lil Scary” and winds up getting shaken off. More duelling kicks now, then Williams shoots another double, but Carey defends, pulling his foe back into the clinch. Carey dirty boxes a bit then separates, but he is looking tired now. Williams shoots another double, deposting Carey along the fence and looking to move into full mount. Carey blocks it and slides up the fence. He starts marching Williams down again, doubling his jab and rocking hoe’s head back reclaiming top position again. Williams looks for a high guard and after the 10-second clapper goes, Carey charges Williams and socks him up with a four-punch combo. 10-9 Carey, who gets the bout 29-28 on the Sherdog scorecard.

The Official Result

Daniel Carey def. Cris Williams via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Teagan Dooley vs. Kevin Holland

Round 1

Holland launches a body kick, but Dooley changes levels the minute he kicks, getting in on a double-leg takedown and running Holland to the mat. Holland manages to hold half guard on the way down, locking up a loose guillotine, working his grip and then sweeping Dooley into top position. Dooley doesn’t fight Holland’s hands, but he is able to sweep back into top control and eventually break the grip. Dooley tries to move to side control, but once more, Holland just bucks and rolls from the bottom, sweeping straight into side control. “Trailblazer” tries to step into mount but Dooley blocks it, then tries to scramble up. Holland socks him a few times, hammerfisting his head awkwardly while Dooley drives in for a single-leg takedown. Holland hits the deck for a sec, then regains his feet, but “Killin’ ‘Em Softly” keeps driving for a takedown. Holland, as he is tipping over off of the takedown, somersaults and rolls through and winds up with Dooley essentially diving straight into a triangle choke from the Texan. Holland doesn’t waste any time adjusting his legs and pulling Dooley’s head down, eliciting the quick tap.

The Official Result

Kevin Holland def. Teagan Dooley via Submission (Triangle Choke) R1 2:59

Thomas Lopez vs. Aaron Webb

Round 1

Webb closes the distance and gets in Lopez’s face immediately, but the Texan jabs him off, then just misses with a series of wild hooks. Heavy exchanges here, though the featherweights are just glancing. Webb drops for a single-leg takedown and turns it into a high-crotch lift, but despite lifting Lopez clean off of his feet, he can’t dump him on the mat. Webb lands a left hook, but Lopez drills him with a one-two in response, then lands the same two-piece moments later. “Spidey” grabs a collar tie and puts two hard ones on Lopez, but can’t gets his follow-up takedown stuffed. Both men with a single collar tie now, smacking each other with short uppercuts. Webb shoots in again, switching from a double to a single, but he can’t seem to suck Lopez to the ground. Lopez with short, Travis Browne-style elbows as he bases out along the fence, defending the takedown. Lunging left hook-right cross for Lopez, but when he tries to follow up, he eats a big right hook from Webb. Lopez stumbles back to the fence and Webb gives chase, unloading with both hands. Webb finally locates a booming left hook and Lopez collapses to his knees like a rag doll. The Illinois native keeps punching away until referee Jason Herzog can get in to rescue Lopez.

The Official Result

Aaron Webb def. Thomas Lopez via TKO (Punches) R1 3:11

Juan Archuleta vs. William Joplin

Round 1

Archuleta walks Joplin down with easiness, moving his man back to the perimeter of the fence. After some standard feinting, Archuleta lets loose with a lead uppercut that stumbles his man backwards, then Archuleta smacks Joplin with a heavy left hook that sends him careening back-first into the fence. The cage saves Joplin from eating the deck, but Archuleta unloads a stream of a half dozen left hooks that drop “The Armadillo” along the defense. Archuleta keeps punching and elbowing away from full guard and it looks like he might get the stoppage, but somehow, Joplin regains his wits and is able to regain his feet. Nonetheless, Archuleta is still all over him, attacking with low kicks, powerful hooks and then dumping him with a double-leg takedown, right back in the spot he dropped him moments earlier. Joplin tries to shrimp and use the fence to stand, but Archuleta sits on his leg and feeds him more left hands, then begins to knee the body and legs. Both of Joplin’s eyes look like they’re swelling shut as he makes it back to his feet. Referee Jerin Valel calls for a brief pause as one of Archuleta’s knees hit the cup of Joplin, but the fight is back on quickly, as Archuleta changes levels and dumps his foe right back on the floor. 10-8 Archuleta.

Round 2

Despite the beating he is taking, Joplin is undeterred and gets in Archuleta’s face to start the second frame. Archuleta dings him with two hooks, deposits him back on the mat and knuckles him up some more before allowing his man to escape to stand, kicking him in the head as the Missouri native stands. Archuleta attempts a capoeira-style banana kick which is blocked and incredibly, Joplin throws one back at him moments later. Hook, uppercut and another double-leg takedown for Archuleta in the middle of the cage now, as Joplin closes guard and tries to tie “The Spaniard” up. As Joplin tries to overhook both of Archuleta’s arms just to tie him up, Archuleta turns his shoulders over and lands a salvo of elbows. Archuieta breaks Joplin’s grip, postures up and smacks away with both hands from full guard. Despite Archuleta staying active, referee Jerin Valel curiously stands the pair up with 35 seconds left in the round. Joplin keeps coming at Archuleta, but the Californian changes levels, picks him up and slams him, moving to north-south and punching away before the horn. 10-9 Archuleta.

Round 3

Joplin’s left eye is completely swollen shut to start the final round, as Archuleta bounces around him, tagging him with roundhouse kicks to the body, and punching combinations behind them. Archuleta continues to switch stances as he zig-zags into the pocket, ripping “The Armadillo” to the head and body. Archuleta shoots again, Joplin tries to grab a guillotine and so the Californian turns him sideways and powerslams him to the canvas like it’s a pro-wrestling match. Archuleta gets to half guard, pounding along the fence and looks for a brabo choke. The fence is partially in Archuleta’s way, so he simply remains in a loose half guard, working a guillotine and landing short, tight punches. Joplin gets to his knees and Archuleta digs into the meat of his thighs with big knees. Joplin pops up and turns tp face Archuleta, but “The Spaniard” just changes his level and rips a pair of hooks to the body. Incredibly, Joplin still keeps walking Archuleta down despite the damage he took. At the 10-second clapper, both men go full out “Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots,” trading crosses with both hands until the bell sounds. 10-8 Archuleta, who takes the bout 30-25 overall on the Sherdog card.

The Official Result

Juan Archuleta def. William Joplin via Unanimous Decision (30-23, 30-24, 30-26) R3 5:00

Emily Ducote vs. Kristina Williams

Round 1

Williams is the noticeably larger woman and she comes out firing her jab, but Ducote still manages to touch her with a right roundhouse kick to the head. Outside low kick lands for Ducote, but Williams dings her with the double jab simultaneously. Williams almost lackadaisical as she marches forward, but she is multiplying her jab and cutting the smaller Ducote off when she looks to rush in. Again, Ducote goes upstairs, this time with her lead left leg. Both women exchanging head kicks now, but they’re blocked. Ducote lands a two-piece, but Williams lands a jab on the way out. Jab-inside low kick scores for Williams, then an outside kick moments later. Ducote tries to step in and eats a right hook. She tries to clinch up with Williams and tries to sweep Williams’ leg out, but she can’t even budge the bigger fighter. Finally with under a minute to go, Ducote catches one of “The Warhorse’s kicks” and sweeps her plant leg out, landing in full guard. Williams closes guard and simply ties “Gordinha’s” arms up as the round ticks down. 10-9 Williams.

Round 2

Williams continues with her kicking offense, but Ducote quickly stings her with a right hand over the top. Another sharp right lands for Ducote, but Williams is still largely keeping her on the outside with her constant kicking. Outside low kick-right hook for Ducote, and then a counter one-two when Williams throws a lazy outside low kick. Another one-two for “Gordinha” registers, as she begins to use her speed advantage on the bigger, seemingly languid Williams. Nice lead left roundhouse upstairs for Williams. Ducote is bleeding from around her left eye now, but she is pressuring “The Warhorse” more effectively. Hard jab, then a right hook moments later land for Ducote. Both women land simultaneously right crosses after they avoid one another’s jabs. Right head kick from Williams smacks Ducote’s jaw, and she goes back to the well moments later. Still, Ducote’s speedy counterpunching is carrying the round. Williams rushes in on Ducote behind a series of crosses and standing elbows, but once again, her fellow Oklahoman throws a quick right hand down the middle and pops her square in the mouth before the bell. 10-9 Ducote.

Round 3

Williams flashes her jab early, but Ducote continues to circle and seek counterpunches, all while sprinkling in well-timed kicks. “The Warhorse” launches another lead head kick, Ducote catches it and tries to trip her leg out once more, but the bigger, stronger Williams shrugs her off and stays standing. Lead left roundhouse kick to the jaw from Ducote now, with blood still trickling down her face, now from her nose. Left hook-right cross for Ducote lands, if glancingly. Williams sticking her jab out again now and bringing right hands behind it, just touching Ducote, but she gets aggressive and runs into a knee to the gut. Clean one-two for Ducote, ducking Williams’ right cross. Williams foolishly lunges inside with a right elbow with no set up, allowing Ducote to fade back, then explode forward into a trip takedown, landing on top with just over a minute to go. Williams gets full guard and closes it up, but Ducote forces her legs open now and moves into side control. “Gordinha” takes full mount with just over 30 seconds to go, ripping into Williams with elbows. With 15 seconds left, Ducote spins out of full mount looking for an armbar, but she comes up too high on the elbow and Williams just holds on until the bell. 10-9 Ducote, giving her the bout 29-28 on the Sherdog scorecard.

The Official Result

Kristina Williams def. Emily Ducote via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 27-30) R3 5:00

Joe Warren vs. Joe Taimanglo

Round 1

Joe Warren comes out hot, and stitching back to the Archuleta-Joplin bout from earlier, launches a banana kick at Taimanglo which is blocked. “Baby Joe” tries to capitalize on Warren’s aggressive indiscretion, but runs right into a takedown, ending up on his back in full guard. Warren pounds away for a moment but gets too aggressive in his pursuit, letting the Guam native hop back to his feet. Taimanglo works a distance boxing game and incredibly, Warren goes for yet another banana kick, as if he is Eddy Gordo. He whiffs and Taimanglo rushes him back to the fence, tagging him with a right cross, then several right hands as Warren covers up and runs off the fence. Warren shoots a desperate low single, but Taimanglo stuffs it easily and keeps stalking his man. Taimanglo parries an overhand right from “The Baddest Man on the Planet” and glances with a four-punch combo, but as he steps further inside, Warren gets to his hips and sucks him back down to the mat. The round ends with Warren covering Taimanglo’s mouth and smothering him as he passes to half guard. 10-9 Taimanglo.

Round 2

Warren immediately gets in Taimanglo’s face, only to eat several right hands and have his shot stuffed. Warren clips “Baby Joe” with a right of his own, but his takedown attempt behind it is blocked easily and he gets hit again with a right hook. Warren, getting desperate, lands a salvo of wild punches, then a flying knee on his foe, but once more, the double-leg attempt he puts behind it is neutralized. Low cut kicks score for Taimanglo, but the former Greco-Roman wrestling world champion answers with some of his own. Warren lands a left hook that stumbles Taimanglo, then moving into the clinch, he can’t get a takedown, but drills Taimanglo in the solar plexus with a nifty knee. Warren exposes himself again rushing inside and eats a left hook. Another shot attempt, another takedown blocked for Taimanglo, who starts to come forward and put more kicks on Warren. Warren whiffs on a right-hand haymaker. Crisp jab-cross from Taimanglo and Warren’s face is starting to wear the damage. Taimanglo jabs, prompting a Warren shot, but the Guamanian cracks him with an uppercut as he changes levels. In the dying moments of the round, Warren launches another overhand right, so zealously he nearly falls over. 10-9 Taimanglo.

Round 3

Warren rushing Taimanglo now, who is staying in his face, but changing his elevation, a la Alistair Overeem, as he looks for counter opportunities. Taimanglo looks to kick, but the minute he flinches, the former two-division Bellator champ runs bowls him over and takes top position. Taimanglo is able to shrimp all the way back to the fence, but Warren sinks one hook in, rides his nearside leg and pounds away. Taimanglo flips to his back, trying to shimmy up the fence, but Warren gets over his hips and holds him down, punching. With two minutes to go, Taimanglo explodes up and hits a surprising switch, running the world-class wrestler into the floor with a double-leg takedown of his own. Now it’s Warren getting to his knees and turtling, looking to regain his feet and he does so with 80 seconds to go. The fight may hang in the balance of the final minute now, as Taimanglo shoots another double, puts Warren on his seat, but can’t get “The Baddest Man on the Planet” flat on his back. Taimanglo stays glued to a waistlock, just trying to hold Warren down. Warren gets to his knees and reshoots on Taimanglo, who locks up a guillotine and pulls guard. Warren pops his head out with five seconds to go. Super close round and contest, but the third round on the Sherdog card goes to Taimanglo 10-9 and 30-27 overall, but these scorecards figure to be all over the place.

The Official Result

Joe Taimanglo def. Joe Warren via Split Decision (30-27, 30-27, 28-29) R3 5:00

Bellator Bantamweight Title Fight:
Darrion Caldwell vs. Leandro Higo

Round 1

The southpaw Caldwell immediately assumes the center of the cage, backing Higo up and preserving distance by feinting and lobbing low kicks at his challenger. After two minutes of a casual feeling-out period, Caldwell whips an overhand left and shoots a power double behind it, putting his man on the mat. Higo pops up quickly, but “The Wolf” is smart to grab double underhooks as the Brazilian stands back up. Higo can’t escape Caldwell’s grasp as the former NCAA Division I national wrestling champion trips him back to the mat. As they hit the canvas, Higo tries to get back up in a flash, which allows Caldwell to grab a front headlock from top position, which he works below the jaw and chin of Higo with quickness. Almost immediately, Higo is trapped in a topside guillotine with Caldwell grapevining his legs. “Pitbull” struggles momentarily, but Caldwell continues adjusting his grip and the choke just gets tighter. Higo is forced to tap and Darrion Caldwell has his first successful Bellator MMA bantamweight title defense.

The Official Result

Darrion Caldwell def. Leandro Higo via Submission (Guillotine Choke) R1 2:36