THACKERVILLE, OK. (Dec. 3, 2016) – In the evening’s bantamweight main event, Darrion Caldwell (10-1) redeemed himself with a decisive unanimous decision (30-27 X3) riro i runga i Joe Taimanglo (23-7-1). The three-round battle capped off Bellator MMA’s massive doubleheader at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, OK.
Ki te te win, Caldwell improves his record in the Bellator MMA cage to 7-1 and opens the door for a bantamweight world title clash with current division champion Eduardo Dantas. “Dudu,” o te akoranga, protected his belt just last night with a one-sided affair against Joe Warren in the first night of the promotion’s epic doubleheader.
I muri i te whawhai, Caldwell and Dantas exchanged words inside the cage, as “The Wolf” announced his desire for the belt: “I look forward to fighting you. It’s been a long time coming.”
Featherweight Co-Main Event Lives up to Hype as Teixeira Outlasts Lawrence
Ka mau te reira 15 minutes to determine a winner, engari i roto i te mutunga John Teixeira (21-1-2) notched a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 30-27 x2) mo Justin Lawrence (9-4) i runga i Rāhoroi po. The Brazilian veteran peppered away with a combination of jabs and kicks that severely damaged Lawrence’s lead leg throughout the bout. “Macapa” continues to dominate the featherweight division, earning victories in nine of his last 10 whakataetae, including one draw. Since joining the Scott Coker-led promotion in 2014, Teixeira has won each of his four fights, maintaining his position among the 145-pound elite.
Flyweight Marathon Ends in Unanimous Decision Victory for Undefeated MacFarlane
Following three hard-fought rounds inside WinStar World Casino, Ilima-Lei MacFarlane (5-0) emerged victorious with a (30-27, 29-28 x2) riro i runga i Emily Ducote (4-2). McFarlane was able to withstand an early barrage of strikes from Ducote, preserving her unblemished professional mark. “The Ilimanator” relied heavily on her accurate striking, as the 26-year-old Californian landed a remarkable 68% of her punches thrown. For the budding star Ducote, the loss is just her first of the year, following four consecutive victories to begin her campaign.
Njokuani Upsets Fialho With a Bang, Hands Portuguese Superstar First Loss of Career
In the first Spike-televised bout of the evening, Chidi Njokuani (16-4, 1 NC) delivered a brutal first round knockout against Andre Fialho(7-1) that came just 21 seconds into the contest. A flurry of Njokuani punches sent Fialho to the canvas and the 27-year-old took care of the rest. Dating back to 2012, “Chidi Bang Bang” has recorded wins in 11of his last 12 bouts and extends his current winning streak to seven. Of Njokuani’s 16 umanga whakaora, 10 have come by way of knockout, making him one of the most feared strikers in the stacked welterweight division. The young Portuguese star Fialho tastes defeat for the first time in his career and will look to redeem himself at the start of the new year.
Hua Kāri hukihuki:
Jarod Trice (1-0) patua Tommie Britton (0-1) mā nuinga whakatau (28-28, 30-25, 30-26)
Jonathan Gary (12-7-2) patua Aaron Roberson (5-5) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Justin Patterson (8-1) patua Codale Ford (11-9) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (29-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Fernando Gonzalez (1-0) patua Chris Hicks (3-9) via knockout at :15 o te tetahi a tawhio noa
Bronson St. Romaine (1-0) patua Joey Soto (0-2) mā te whakatau Kotahi tonu (28-27, 29-28, 29-28)