Alexander Shlemenko returns with a patented livershot TKO over Kendall Grove
Memphis (Octubre. 21, 2016) – The most decorated middleweight in Bellator history, Alexander Shlemenko (54-9, 1NC) returned to the cageesta noche in a big way against Kendall Grove (23-16). The first round saw aggressive back and forth action with each fighter getting rocked. Shlemenko successfully utilized powerful spinning backfists and heelkicks to close the distance on the 6’6 Hawaiian. “The Storm” stalked Grove throughout the cage before ultimately connecting with a nasty combo that saw a left hand to the liver, followed by a right hand to the chin, sending his towering opponent to the mat. Shlemenko followed up with a barrage of strikes to “Da Spyda” before “Big John” McCarthy waved the fight off at 1:43 de la segunda trama.
Lashley sinks in a rear-naked choke to end Appelt’s night in round two
Bobby Lashley (15-2) continued to live up to his nickname of “The Dominator” as he tossed his opponent, Josh Appelt (12-6) to the mat at will. Throughout the first round, Lashley jockeyed for position as he rained down punches while trying to lock in a submission in front of his friend from his days as a WWE Superstar, Jerry “The King” Lawler, who watched from his cage side seat. Appelt landed a couple strikes to start the second frame before being slammed to the mat and ultimately submitted with a one-armed rear-naked choke at 1:43 of Round 2.
Yamauchi finishes Couture with armbar submission just one minute into bout
The 23-year-old submission specialist Yamauchi arriba (20-3) derrotado Ryan Couture (10-5) via arm bar submission just 1:01 en la primera ronda. Making his lightweight debut, Yamauchi becomes the first opponent to submit Couture over his 15-fight career. The win gives the Brazilian-Japanese prospect 20 total over his career, including five since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion back in 2013. The slick arm bar marks the 16º submission victory for Yamauchi, 13 of which have come in the first frame.
Kato scores TKO victory over Matthews
The first televised fight of the evening featured two highly gifted strikers in A. J. Matthews (8-6), a muay-Thai practitioner and HISAKI Kato(7-2), who holds a black belt in Kyokushin Karate. Both fighters exchanged great combinations throughout the entirety of the first round, with Matthews even wobbling Kato halfway through the frame. but was unable to capitalize, allowing Kato to regain his composure. A break in the action because of an accidental eye poke to Matthews allowed Kato to completely recover, and when the fight continued, Kato utilized his right kick to the body-left hand to the dome combination to send Matthews to the canvas, pouncing with a flurry of punches forcing the referee to call a stop to the action at 4:58 de la primera trama.
Complete Bellator.com-Streamed Preliminary Card:
De peso gallo preliminar Bout: Steve García (7-1) def. Ronnie Lawrence (1-1) via UD
Peso Welter preliminar Bout: Ricky Rainey (12-4) def. Gilbert Smith (12-6) via UD
Peso pluma preliminar Bout: Julia Budd (9-2) def. Arlene Blencowe (7-6) via MD
Peso pesado preliminar Bout: Virgil Zwicker (15-5-1) def. Dan Charles (10-4-1) por TKO en 4:31of Round 2
Peso pesado preliminar Bout: De Chase Gormley (14-5, 1 NC) def. Bobby Brents (17-6) via SD
Peso Welter preliminar Bout: Wade Johnson (11-1) def. Tyler Hill (6-1) via SUB (estrangulamiento por la espalda) en 3:35 of Round 3
Ligera pelea preliminar: James Wallace (2-0) def. Jonathan Burdine (4-5) via SUB (estrangulamiento por la espalda) en 3:33 of Round 2
Mediano preliminar Bout: Eryk Anders (5-0) def. Brian White (5-5) por TKO en 0:23 of Round 1
Catchweight (160 lb.) Combate preliminar: Jaleel Willis (7-0) vs. Omar Johnson (4-1) via UD
Peso semipesado preliminar Bout: Grady Hurley (10-1) def. Chad Cook (10-11) en 2:29 of Round1
Peso pesado preliminar Bout: Mike Wessell (15-8) vs. Frank Tate (4-2) via UD